Emilie Meyer
Cooking a spiral ham in a crock pot is a great way to free up oven space and ensure your ham stays moist and tender. With only 5 minutes of prep time, this method is perfect for holiday meals and special occasions. The slow cooker does most of the work, resulting in a delicious and juicy ham that can be paired with a variety of side dishes. Whether you're serving a large group or enjoying leftovers, spiral ham cooked in a crock pot is an easy and convenient option.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of cooking | Very easy |
| Time taken | 3-5 hours |
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Ingredients | Ham, brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, balsamic vinegar, pineapple juice, pineapple, cherries, honey |
| Temperature | Low |
| Crockpot size | 6-8 quarts |
| Ham size | 7-10 pounds |
| Ham type | Spiral-sliced, bone-in |
| Leftovers | Can be reheated in the oven |
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare your spiral ham for the crock pot
Spiral ham is a popular dish for holidays and special occasions. It's a great choice if you want to free up your oven for other dishes. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your spiral ham for the crock pot:
Firstly, ensure your ham is fully cooked. Raw ham will take much longer to cook. It's best to choose a spiral-sliced ham so that it's easier to pull slices off at the end. Opt for a bone-in ham as it will stay moister and have better texture. Aim for a ham weighing around 7-10 pounds.
Before placing the ham in the crock pot, spray the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Remove the ham from its packaging and discard any glaze packets that come with it. You can make your own glaze by mixing ingredients like brown sugar, honey, mustard, and pineapple juice.
Place the ham cut-side down into the slow cooker. If your ham is too big, you can trim it or cut it into smaller pieces. Cover the top with foil and then the lid. Rub the glaze ingredients (except pineapple juice) over the ham using your hands. Pour pineapple juice into the bottom of the crock pot.
Cook the ham on low heat for 3-4 hours. Baste the ham twice during the last hour of cooking. To ensure your ham is thoroughly heated, use a meat thermometer. It should read at least 135-140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once your ham is ready, remove it from the crock pot and place it on a platter. Pour the juices from the crock pot into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Pour the sauce over the ham and serve. Enjoy your tender and flavorful spiral ham!
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Glaze ingredients and alternatives
Glazing a spiral ham in a crockpot is a simple process that requires only a few ingredients. The most common glaze ingredients are brown sugar, maple syrup, and pineapple juice. The pineapple juice can be substituted with apple cider or orange juice. The brown sugar adds a rich, caramelized taste, the maple syrup contributes to the sweetness, and the pineapple juice blends nicely with the other ingredients, adding a sweet, tropical flavor.
To make the glaze, you can simply rub the brown sugar all over the ham, then pour the maple syrup and pineapple juice over the top. You can also add other ingredients such as honey, mustard, balsamic vinegar, or garlic to the glaze for additional flavor. If you want a thicker glaze, you can whisk together a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water and add it to the glaze.
The glaze packet that comes with some hams can be discarded as it is not needed for this cooking method. The crockpot cooking method keeps the ham moist and flavorful, so you don't have to worry about it drying out. The combination of syrup and juice makes the ham flavorful and tender.
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Cooking time and temperature
Spiral ham can be cooked in a crock pot on low heat for 3-4 hours. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size and type of ham, as well as the specific crock pot being used. For example, a larger ham may take longer to cook than a smaller one, and a raw ham will take longer to cook than a pre-cooked ham.
To ensure that the ham is cooked evenly, it is recommended to place it flat side or cut-side down in the crock pot. If the ham is too big for the crock pot, you can try trimming it or cutting it into smaller pieces. Another option is to cover the top of the ham with foil and place the lid over it as best you can.
It is important to note that spiral ham can dry out quickly in the crock pot. To prevent this, it is recommended to cook the ham for no longer than 3 hours. Additionally, using a meat thermometer can help ensure that the ham is heated thoroughly without overcooking. The internal temperature of the ham should reach around 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
When cooking spiral ham in a crock pot, it is also important to consider the size of the crock pot and whether the ham will fit properly. A large, oval-shaped crock pot is typically recommended for slow-cooking a large ham. A 7-8 quart crock pot should be sufficient for a ham that is around 7-10 pounds. However, if the ham is larger than 9 pounds, it may not fit in a 6-quart slow cooker, and a larger crock pot may be necessary.
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How to use leftovers
Spiral ham cooked in a crock pot is a great dish to make during the holidays. However, it usually leaves a lot of leftovers. Here are some ideas on how to use them:
Ham and Potato Soup
This is a great way to use up leftover ham, especially if you have a lot of it. It's a hearty and delicious soup that can feed a hungry crowd. You can make it in the crock pot or on the stovetop, and it's a perfect comfort food for cold winter days.
Ham and Cheese Crepes
A great way to use leftover ham for breakfast or brunch. The salty ham goes perfectly with melted cheese, and you can add some green onions or chives for a fresh touch.
Ham Fried Rice
This is a flavorful dish that's perfect for those who love Asian cuisine. You can use the leftover ham instead of bacon or sausage to make this quick and easy meal.
Ham and Cabbage
A simple and healthy option for using leftover ham. You can make it in the crock pot, and it's a great low-carb dinner option.
Ham Sandwiches
Leftover ham makes delicious sandwiches, especially if you add some condiments like mustard or mayonnaise. You can also use the ham for omelettes or cobb salads.
Freeze the Leftovers
If you don't want to eat the ham right away, you can freeze it and use it later to make another meal. This is a great way to save money and reduce food waste.
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Crock pot alternatives
Spiral ham can be cooked in a crockpot with minimal prep work, making it an easy and convenient option for holiday meals. However, if you don't have access to a crockpot or slow cooker, there are several alternatives you can use to achieve similar results. Here are some crockpot alternatives for cooking spiral ham:
Dutch Oven
A Dutch oven is a versatile cooking vessel that can be used on the stovetop or in the oven. To use it as a slow cooker alternative, you can place it on the stovetop over very low heat for a slow simmer. This method requires monitoring and occasional stirring, so it is more hands-on compared to a crockpot. Alternatively, you can preheat your oven to a low temperature, typically around 200° Fahrenheit (95° Celsius), and cook your spiral ham in the Dutch oven for a more hands-off approach.
Heavy Saucepan
Similar to a Dutch oven, a heavy saucepan can be used on the stovetop for slow cooking. Place the saucepan on low heat and simmer your spiral ham gently. This method also requires monitoring and occasional stirring, ensuring that you add liquid as needed.
Oven Cooking
If your spiral ham is too large for your crockpot, oven cooking is another option. Preheat your oven to the recommended temperature for the ham, place it in a roasting pan, and follow the provided cooking instructions. Oven cooking allows you to prepare larger cuts of meat that may not fit in a crockpot or slow cooker.
Other Small Appliances
Many modern countertop appliances, such as multi-cookers or pressure cookers, often include a "slow cook" mode. These appliances can be convenient and require less monitoring compared to stovetop methods. However, they may have size limitations, especially if you're cooking a large spiral ham.
While crockpots and slow cookers offer convenience and hands-off cooking, these alternatives provide options for preparing spiral ham without specialized equipment. Each method has its advantages and considerations, so choose the one that best suits your needs and cooking environment.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 3-4 hours to cook a spiral ham in the crock pot on low heat.
The crock pot should be set to low heat. The thickest part of the ham should read at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit when a thermometer is inserted.
A ham that is 7-10 pounds in size is recommended. If your ham is larger than this, you may need to trim it or cut it into smaller pieces so that it fits in your crock pot.
