Tiffany Haney
Ham is a delicious dish, and a great way to cook it is in a crock pot. It is an easy way to make a tasty meal, and it is a convenient method to cook a large ham for a big group. The crock pot is a slow cooker, which means it is ideal for cooking less expensive cuts of meat to make them tender and tasty. It is also a great way to free up space in your oven.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ham weight | 7-8 pounds |
| Ham type | Smoked spiral cut ham |
| Glaze ingredients | Brown sugar, maple syrup, pineapple juice, apple cider, Dijon, balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, vinegar, soda, corn starch |
| Ham temperature | 140°F |
| Cook time | 3-4 hours |
| Cook temperature | Low heat |
| Ham storage | Refrigerate for 3-4 days, freeze for longer |
| Ham reheating | 275°F in the oven |
| Crock pot size | 7-8 quarts |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking time
The cooking time for ham in a crock pot depends on the weight of the ham and the desired texture. For example, an eight to ten-pound bone-in ham will take about four to six hours on low heat in a slow cooker. However, if you want a more casual meal of shredded hot ham and roll sandwiches, you can cook the ham on low heat for up to twelve hours.
If you have a smaller ham, weighing four to six pounds, it may only need two to three hours on low heat. For a spiral-cut ham, which dries out faster, you should reduce the cooking time by half. A five- to seven-pound ham will take five to six hours to fully heat in a crock pot. If you prefer your ham to be fall-apart tender, you can cook it for up to eight hours on low heat.
To ensure that your ham is thoroughly heated, you can use a meat thermometer. It should read around 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Glaze ingredients
Ham cooked in a crock pot is a great way to make a delicious meal with minimal effort. The glaze is a crucial part of the dish, providing a burst of flavour and a sticky-sweet texture. Here are some ingredients that can be used to make a mouthwatering glaze for your crock pot ham:
Brown Sugar:
A staple in many ham glazes, light or dark brown sugar adds a deep, warm sweetness that is comforting and familiar. It pairs well with other glaze ingredients and helps create a sticky texture.
Pineapple Juice:
Pineapple juice is a fantastic way to add a tangy, fruity twist to your ham glaze. It balances the sweetness of other ingredients and creates a unique flavour profile. Pineapple juice can also be substituted with apple cider if you prefer a different flavour.
Honey:
Honey is a natural sweetener that provides a smooth and luscious texture to the glaze. It blends seamlessly with brown sugar, enhancing the overall sweetness of the glaze without overwhelming the other flavours.
Dijon Mustard:
Adding Dijon mustard to the glaze introduces a tangy and savoury element to the ham. It cuts through the sweetness of the other ingredients and adds depth to the flavour profile.
Balsamic Vinegar:
Balsamic vinegar contributes a distinct tangy and acidic note to the glaze. It helps balance the sweetness while adding a sophisticated twist to the overall flavour.
Spices:
Whole cloves are a popular spice to include in the glaze, providing a warm and fragrant aroma. You can also experiment with other spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to add a unique twist to your ham.
Soda:
Using soda in the glaze might seem unconventional, but it adds a fun twist to the flavour profile. Dr Pepper or Coca-Cola can be used to create a sticky-sweet glaze with a unique tang that complements the other ingredients.
These ingredients can be combined and customised to your taste preferences to create a delicious glaze for your crock pot ham. Experiment with different combinations and amounts to find your perfect glaze!
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Leftovers
If you have leftover ham, there are plenty of ways to repurpose it. You can add leftover ham to soups, casseroles, omelets, sandwiches, or baked potatoes. You can also reheat and enjoy the ham as is.
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover ham, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Place the ham in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic or aluminum foil.
Reheating Leftovers
When reheating ham, it's important to keep it moist so that it doesn't dry out. Here are some ways to reheat leftover ham:
- Slow cooker: Place the ham slices in a slow cooker on low with additional liquid such as ginger ale, broth, barbecue sauce, hoisin sauce, orange juice, or apple cider.
- Stovetop: Simmer the ham on the stovetop with a cup of water or broth for a few minutes until heated through.
- Oven: Reheat the ham in a 300-325°F oven until warmed through. Cover the ham with foil and anticipate 10-15 minutes of reheating time per pound of ham.
- Microwave: For smaller portions, place the ham in the microwave for a minute or two to reheat.
The FDA recommends reheating leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Serving size
The serving size of your ham depends on how many people you are going to feed. You can go with a large ham for a big group. For example, an 8-pound ham is a good size that will fit in a large (7- to 8-quart), oval crock pot. However, if your ham is too big and the lid doesn't fit, you can trim off a piece of ham or cover the crock pot with foil.
To determine the number of servings, estimate approximately 1/4 to 1/3 pound of boneless ham per person, or 1/3 to 1/2 pound of bone-in ham per person. If you want plenty of leftovers, you can increase that amount to 1 pound of ham per person.
If you are halving the recipe for a smaller group, you can use a 2-pound petite ham and reduce the cooking time.
The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the ham. A small ham may be done within 2 to 3 hours, while a large ham may take 4 to 6 hours.
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Preparation
Ham is a great dish to serve during the holidays, and using a crock pot can make it even more convenient. The slow cooker does most of the work, and you can also free up oven space for other dishes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare and cook ham in a crock pot:
Firstly, you will need to choose the right size of ham to fit your crock pot. A 7-8 quart crock pot will fit a ham that is around 7-8 pounds in size. If your ham is larger, you can trim off the end to make it fit. It is recommended to use a smoked spiral cut ham.
Next, coat the crock pot with cooking spray. Place the ham cut side down in the crock pot. Then, rub brown sugar all over the ham. You can also add other ingredients to the sugar rub, such as Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, and honey.
After that, pour maple syrup and pineapple juice over the ham. You can substitute the pineapple juice with apple cider if you prefer. The liquid helps keep the ham moist and juicy.
Cooking:
Cook the ham on low heat for 3-4 hours. You can also cook it for up to 6 hours if you prefer, but be careful not to overcook it, as this can dry out the meat. The ham is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F. You can check this by inserting a thermometer into the thickest part of the ham.
Once the ham is cooked, remove it from the crock pot and place it on a serving platter. Tent it with foil to keep it warm while you prepare the glaze.
Glaze:
Pour the liquid from the crock pot into a pan and place it on medium-high heat. Bring the liquid to a simmer and thicken it with cornstarch if desired. You can also add additional ingredients to the glaze, such as vinegar or soda, to give it a tangy flavour.
Finally, pour the glaze over the ham and garnish the platter with fresh herbs and fruit. The ham is now ready to be served!
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Frequently asked questions
It takes approximately 3-4 hours to cook a ham in a crock pot on low heat.
A 7-8 quart crock pot can fit a ham of around 7-8 pounds in size. If the ham is too large, you can trim off the end to make it fit.
You can make a glaze for your ham using brown sugar, maple syrup, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, honey, and ground cloves.
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