Slow-Cooked Spiral Ham: Crock-Pot Magic

can you cook spiral cut ham in crock pot

Spiral cut ham is a popular dish for holidays and special occasions, and it can be cooked in a crock pot. Cooking ham in a crock pot is a convenient way to prepare the dish, as it requires minimal preparation and frees up oven space. The crock pot method typically involves coating the ham with a glaze made from ingredients such as brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, and pineapple juice. The ham is then placed in the crock pot and cooked on low heat for several hours, resulting in a tender and juicy dish that can be served with a variety of sides.

Characteristics Values
Ease of cooking Super easy with minimal prep time (5 minutes) and mess
Taste Moist, juicy, delicious, and flavorful
Ingredients Spiral ham, brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, balsamic vinegar, pineapple juice, cornstarch, apple cider, honey, etc.
Time Approximately 3-4 hours on low heat
Temperature 140 degrees F or 135 degrees F in most spots
Sides Scalloped potatoes, steamed green beans, corn casserole, mac and cheese, rolls, bread, salads, etc.
Leftovers Can be frozen or reheated in the oven at 275 degrees F
Ham size 7-10 pounds; trim or cut into smaller pieces if too big for the crockpot
Crockpot size 6-8 quarts; oval-shaped is necessary for large hams

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Crockpot Spiral Ham recipe

Ingredients

  • Spiral-cut ham (bone-in or boneless)
  • Brown sugar
  • Maple syrup
  • Pineapple juice
  • Mustard
  • Balsamic vinegar

Optional Ingredients

  • Pineapple rings
  • Maraschino cherries
  • Honey
  • Cloves
  • Cornstarch

Method

  • Spray your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Remove the ham from its packaging and place it flat-side down in the slow cooker. If it doesn't fit, you can place it on its side.
  • Generously rub the ham with brown sugar.
  • Pour maple syrup and pineapple juice over the ham.
  • Add mustard and balsamic vinegar to the meat using your hands.
  • Cover with a lid or foil and cook on low heat for 2-5 hours.
  • Baste the ham with the juices from the bottom of the slow cooker twice during the last hour of cooking.
  • Check the internal temperature of the ham with a meat thermometer. It is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
  • If desired, transfer the ham to a baking sheet and broil it in the oven for a few minutes after slow cooking to create a caramelized glaze.

Tips

  • If your ham is too big for your slow cooker, you can trim it or cut it into smaller pieces. You can also cover the top of the ham with foil and place the lid on top.
  • Spiral hams are generally precooked, so you only need to heat them through in the crockpot.
  • You can freeze leftover ham to use in another meal.
  • Serve your ham with classic holiday sides such as corn casserole, mac and cheese, rolls, or a winter salad.

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Crockpot Spiral Ham prep

Ingredients

To make Crockpot Spiral Ham, you will need the following ingredients:

  • A fully cooked, spiral-sliced ham with a bone (7-10 pounds)
  • Brown sugar
  • Maple syrup
  • Mustard
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Pineapple juice
  • Spray the crockpot or slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Remove the ham from its packaging and discard the glaze packet, if there is one.
  • Place the ham cut-side down in the crockpot.
  • In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, and balsamic vinegar to create a glaze.
  • Rub the glaze all over the ham using your hands.
  • Pour pineapple juice into the bottom of the crockpot, being careful not to wash away the glaze.
  • Cover the crockpot with a lid or foil.
  • Cook on low for 2.5 to 5 hours, depending on the size of your ham.
  • Basting is optional but recommended during the last hour of cooking.
  • Check the internal temperature of the ham with a meat thermometer. It should reach at least 135-140 degrees Fahrenheit in most spots.
  • Transfer the ham to a serving platter and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
  • Pour the liquid from the crockpot into a pan and simmer to create a thicker glaze, if preferred.
  • Pour the sauce over the ham and serve.

Tips

  • If your ham is too big for the crockpot, try trimming it or cutting it into smaller pieces.
  • You can also cover the top of the ham with foil and place the lid over it as best you can.
  • If your ham still doesn't fit, you may need to resort to oven cooking.
  • You can substitute orange juice or apple cider for pineapple juice if desired.
  • Crockpot Spiral Ham pairs well with classic holiday sides such as corn casserole, mac and cheese, rolls, salads, potatoes, vegetables, and cornbread.
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Crockpot Spiral Ham glaze

Spiral ham is a popular dish for holidays and special occasions, and cooking it in a crockpot is an easy and convenient way to prepare it. The crockpot method keeps the ham moist and tender, and frees up oven space for other dishes.

The glaze for a crockpot spiral ham can be as simple as a combination of brown sugar, maple syrup, and pineapple juice. Some recipes also include mustard, balsamic vinegar, honey, and cloves for a more complex flavour profile.

Preparation

First, coat the inside of your crockpot with cooking spray. Then, place the ham inside the crockpot, cut-side or flat-side down. If your ham is too large, you may need to trim it or cut it into smaller pieces, or cover it with foil and a lid to keep the heat in.

Next, rub the glaze ingredients (except the pineapple juice) over the ham using your hands. Then, pour the pineapple juice into the bottom of the crockpot. Cover with a lid or foil and cook on low for 3-5 hours, basting occasionally during the last hour.

Serving

After cooking, transfer the ham to a serving platter. Pour the liquid from the crockpot into a pan and bring to a simmer to thicken the glaze. Pour the thickened glaze over the ham and serve.

Sides

Crockpot spiral ham goes well with classic holiday sides such as corn casserole, mac and cheese, rolls, bread, and salads. Green beans, corn, carrots, and potatoes are also good side dish options.

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Crockpot Spiral Ham cooking time

Spiral hams are generally precooked, so the purpose of cooking them in a crockpot is to warm them up while adding flavour and moisture. This can be done in a few hours, making it a quick and easy meal to prepare for holidays or family meals.

To cook a spiral ham in a crockpot, first, spray the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Remove the ham from its wrapper and discard any glaze packets. Place the ham inside the slow cooker, flat side down. Coat the ham with glaze. Rub glaze ingredients (except pineapple juice) over the meat using your hands. Then, pour pineapple juice into the bottom of the crockpot.

Cover the crockpot with a lid or foil. If your ham is too large for the crockpot, cover the top of the ham with foil and place the lid over the top. You can also try trimming the ham or cutting it into smaller pieces.

Cook the ham on low for 3-5 hours, basting twice during the last hour. If you want to, you can flip the ham during the last hour. Once heated thoroughly, remove the ham from the crockpot and let it rest for 10 minutes. Slice the meat off the bone and serve warm.

To ensure that the ham is heated thoroughly, use a meat thermometer. It will need to read around 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Crockpot Spiral Ham serving suggestions

Crockpot Spiral Ham is an easy and convenient way to cook a delicious ham for a holiday feast or a family meal. The crockpot method ensures the ham stays moist and tender, and frees up oven space.

Serving Suggestions:

Sides

The sweet and tangy flavours of the ham go well with a variety of sides. Traditional savoury dishes like cheesy cornflake potatoes, mac and cheese, and scalloped potatoes are great pairings. For a lighter option, simple steamed green beans, corn, carrots, and potatoes are always a good choice. If you want to add a bit of spice, try a sweet potato casserole or a creamy ranch potato salad.

Glazes

The crockpot spiral ham is often served with a brown sugar glaze, but you can also get creative with the glazes. A traditional honey glaze is a good option, or you can add a twist with a sweet and spicy chilli pepper-infused honey glaze. For a more festive feel, a cranberry orange sauce or a pineapple sauce are great options.

Presentation

The glazed spiral ham can be presented in a few ways. Carve the ham and place the slices on a platter for a family-style buffet, or cook the ham with the bone-in for a more impressive presentation as the centerpiece of your feast.

Reheating and Leftovers

Crockpot Spiral Ham is a great option for leftovers. The ham can be reheated in the oven, covered and mixed with juices to maintain moisture. For smaller portions, the microwave works well. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, spiral cut ham can be cooked in a crock pot.

It takes around 2.5 to 5 hours to cook spiral cut ham in a crock pot on low heat.

Some glaze options for spiral cut ham in a crock pot include brown sugar, honey, mustard, maple syrup, pineapple juice, and balsamic vinegar.

Some side dishes that pair well with spiral cut ham cooked in a crock pot include potatoes, vegetables, cornbread, stuffing, mac and cheese, rolls, salads, and casseroles.

Cooking spiral cut ham in a crock pot is easy and convenient, frees up oven space, and results in tender and juicy ham.

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