Tillie Doyle
Cooking a boneless spiral ham in a crock pot is an easy way to prepare a delicious meal with minimal prep work. It's an especially useful method for big holiday dinners or Sunday lunches when oven space is limited. Spiral hams can dry out quickly in the crock pot, so it's important to ensure that your crock pot is tightly sealed. Depending on the weight of your ham, cooking times can vary from 2.5 to 6 hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prep time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cook time | 2.5-5 hours |
| Temperature | Low |
| Ham weight | 7-10 pounds |
| Ham type | Boneless, bone-in, whole, or spiral-sliced |
| Glaze | Brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, pineapple juice |
| Sides | Scalloped potatoes, green beans, corn, carrots, cheesy potatoes, rolls, bread, salads |
| Leftovers | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week |
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What You'll Learn
Prep time: 5 minutes, plus simple glaze ingredients
Spiral ham in a crock pot is an easy and convenient way to prepare a delicious meal, especially during the holidays. It's a great option when you need your oven for other dishes. With minimal prep work and just a few simple glaze ingredients, you can have a tasty and tender ham ready in no time.
To start, you'll want to gather your ingredients. For the glaze, you'll need brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, and pineapple juice. You can also add balsamic vinegar for an extra flavour boost. The brown sugar adds a rich, caramelized taste, while the maple syrup and pineapple juice bring sweetness and a tropical twist. Ground mustard is also a great addition to balance out the sweetness.
Once you have your ingredients, it's time to prepare the ham. Remove the ham from its packaging and discard any glaze packets that may have come with it. Spray your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to ensure the ham doesn't stick. Place the ham inside the slow cooker, flat side down.
Now, it's time to apply the glaze. Use your hands to rub the brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, and balsamic vinegar all over the meat. Make sure to coat it evenly. Then, pour the pineapple juice into the bottom of the crockpot. You can also add pineapple rings or chunks to the crockpot for an extra burst of flavour.
Cover the crockpot with a lid or foil, ensuring a tight seal to prevent steam from escaping and drying out the ham. Set the crockpot to cook on low for 3-5 hours, depending on the size of your ham. For an 8-10 pound ham, the cooking time is typically 4-6 hours. Don't be tempted to cook it on high heat, as low and slow is the key to a juicy and tender ham.
During the last hour of cooking, baste the ham a couple of times to ensure even coating and moisture. To check if your ham is ready, use a meat thermometer. It should reach an internal temperature of around 140°F in the thickest part. Once done, remove the ham from the crockpot and let it rest for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
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Cook time: 3-5 hours on low
Cooking boneless spiral ham in a crock pot is a convenient way to prepare a delicious meal, especially during the holidays. It's an easy process that only requires a few simple ingredients and minimal prep work. Here's a step-by-step guide for cooking boneless spiral ham in a crock pot for 3-5 hours on low:
Step 1: Prepare the Crock Pot
First, make sure your crock pot is clean and ready to use. If needed, you can line it with a crockpot liner to make cleanup easier later.
Step 2: Prepare the Ham
Choose a boneless spiral ham that fits comfortably in your crock pot. If your ham is too large, you can trim it or cut it into smaller pieces. For best results, select a pre-cooked ham, as raw ham will take much longer to cook.
Step 3: Create the Glaze
Boneless spiral ham shines when paired with a mouthwatering glaze. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard or mustard powder, and balsamic vinegar. You can also add smoked paprika for a smoky flavour. Pack the brown sugar tightly when measuring to ensure a rich, caramelized taste.
Step 4: Assemble and Cook
Place pineapple rings at the bottom of the crock pot. Then, put the ham cut-side down on top of the pineapple rings. Generously rub the prepared glaze all over the ham with your hands. Cover the crock pot with a lid or heavy-duty foil, ensuring a tight seal to prevent steam from escaping and drying out the ham. Set the crock pot to cook on low for 3-5 hours.
Step 5: Baste and Finish
During the last hour of cooking, baste the ham twice to ensure even coating and moisture. After cooking, remove the ham from the crock pot and place it on a platter. Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for Success:
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure your ham is thoroughly heated. It should reach an internal temperature of around 140°F in the thickest part.
- If your ham is precooked and you're simply reheating it, aim for the shorter end of the cooking time range to avoid overcooking.
- For a fall-apart tender ham, extend the cooking time to 10-12 hours on low.
- Don't cook your ham on high heat, as this can dry it out. Boneless hams are more susceptible to drying out, so the low and slow method is ideal.
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Internal temperature: 135-140°F
Spiral-cut ham usually comes pre-cooked, so preparing it in a crock pot is a matter of heating it up, glazing it, and serving. To ensure that your ham is heated thoroughly, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature.
According to the USDA, ham must register a temperature of at least 140°F to be safe to eat. However, it is suggested that you remove the ham from the slow cooker when it reaches 135°F, as the temperature will rise by at least 5 degrees while it rests. This helps prevent overcooking and drying out the meat.
The time it takes to reach this temperature will depend on the size of your ham and crock pot. A larger ham of 8 to 10 pounds may take 4 to 6 hours on low heat in the slow cooker, while a smaller ham of 4 to 6 pounds may only need 2 to 3 hours. It is important to note that every crock pot is different, so it is recommended to start checking the internal temperature after 2 hours and then every 15 to 20 minutes.
To prepare the ham, place it cut-side down in the crock pot and add water. Cover and cook on low heat until the desired temperature is reached. You can turn the ham on its side halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your ham, this process can take anywhere from 2 and a half to 5 hours.
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Resting time: 15 minutes
Resting time is an important step in the process of cooking a boneless spiral ham in a crock pot. Once the ham is cooked, it should be removed from the crock pot and allowed to rest for 15 minutes before being sliced and served. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring that the ham is juicy and tender.
During the resting time, it is important to keep the ham covered to retain moisture and keep it warm. One way to do this is by tenting the ham with aluminum foil. This involves loosely covering the ham with foil to prevent the escape of heat and moisture. The foil should not be wrapped tightly around the ham, as this can trap too much heat and moisture, making the outer layer soggy.
The resting time also provides an opportunity to prepare any side dishes or sauces that will accompany the ham. Side dishes such as vegetables, potatoes, or salads can be prepared and plated while the ham rests, ensuring a well-rounded and timely meal.
Additionally, the resting period allows for the crock pot to cool down slightly before cleaning. This makes it safer and more comfortable to handle the crock pot, especially if it needs to be emptied and washed by hand.
By allowing the boneless spiral ham to rest for 15 minutes after cooking, you ensure that the meat is at its optimal texture and temperature for serving, maximizing flavor and moisture. This brief waiting period enhances the overall dining experience and showcases the ham as a delicious centerpiece of the meal.
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Sides and leftovers
Sides
A crockpot spiral ham is a great option for a holiday meal as it frees up your oven. You can use the oven to cook side dishes such as:
- Cheesy potatoes
- Potato casseroles
- Rolls or bread
- Salads
- Roasted vegetables
- Cornbread
- Stuffing
Leftovers
Spiral hams are generally pre-cooked, so when reheating, you want to avoid overcooking the ham. You can reheat leftover ham in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave. Here are some options for reheating and using leftover ham:
- Freeze leftover ham in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Place leftover ham in a baking dish with a couple of tablespoons of water, cover with foil, and reheat in the oven.
- Reheat slices in the microwave for 1 minute.
- Add liquid (water, broth, or ginger ale) to leftover ham and heat in the microwave.
- Make ham and cheese omelets, sandwiches, or sliders.
- Use leftover ham in soups, casseroles, or salads.
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Frequently asked questions
A boneless spiral ham should be cooked in a crock pot for 3-5 hours on low heat.
You can use a meat thermometer to check that your ham is cooked. The internal temperature should be around 140°F.
A crock pot can accommodate a boneless spiral ham of 4-10 pounds. Smaller hams will take less time to cook, so a 4-6 pound ham may only need 2-3 hours.
