Kentucky Legend Ham: Slow-Cooked Perfection In Your Crock-Pot

how long to cook kentucky legend ham in crock pot

Kentucky Legend Ham is a popular choice for a holiday feast or a weeknight dinner. The cooking time for this mouthwatering dish depends on the size of the ham. A 2.5-pound ham, for instance, will take around 2.5 to 3 hours to cook. To ensure the ham stays moist, you can add a little water or pineapple juice to the crockpot. Before cooking, you can also make diagonal cuts in the ham and insert slices of citrus fruits, such as Cara Cara oranges, blood oranges, and lemons.

Kentucky Legend Ham in a Crock Pot

Characteristics Values
Cook Time 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on the size of the ham
Ingredients Ham, water or pineapple juice, Pampered Chef Savory Maple Seasoning, oranges, lemons, marmalade, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, stone-ground mustard, black pepper
Recipe Cut diagonal slices in the ham, insert orange, lemon, and other fruit slices, add water or juice to the slow cooker, brush ham with glaze, cook until hot throughout

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Use a glaze

Kentucky Legend Hams are pre-cooked, so you're essentially just heating them up with a glaze in the crockpot. You can use a variety of glazes, such as pineapple and maraschino cherries, honey and orange, or brown sugar and mustard.

To make a pineapple glaze, add some pineapple juice or water to the bottom of your slow cooker to keep the ham moist during cooking. You can also add pineapple slices and cherries on top before serving. For a honey and orange glaze, you can follow a recipe that includes inserting slices of Cara Cara, blood orange, and lemon into the ham, then creating a glaze with marmalade, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, stone-ground mustard, and black pepper. Brush the ham with the glaze and cook until the ham is hot throughout, which usually takes 2.5 to 4 hours.

You can also try a cola glaze or a brown sugar glaze, or simply use Pampered Chef Savory Maple Seasoning and some water.

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Add water or juice

When cooking a Kentucky Legend Ham in a crock pot, you can add a little water or pineapple juice to the bottom of the slow cooker. This will keep the ham moist during cooking. For a 6-quart slow cooker, add 3/4 cup of water. If you're using a different size slow cooker, adjust the amount of water accordingly. You can also add some Pampered Chef Savory Maple Seasoning to the water for extra flavor.

The amount of water or juice you add to the crock pot will depend on the size of your ham and the cooking time. Larger hams will require more liquid to ensure they stay moist, while smaller hams may only need a small amount of liquid. If you're cooking the ham for a longer period of time, you may need to add more liquid to the crock pot to prevent it from drying out.

It's important to note that Kentucky Legend Hams are pre-cooked, so you're mainly just heating them up with a glaze. This means that you don't need to add a lot of extra liquid to the crock pot, as the ham is already cooked and won't absorb much liquid.

However, adding a small amount of water or juice can help to create a moist environment in the crock pot, which will prevent the ham from drying out. It can also help to distribute the heat more evenly, ensuring that the ham cooks thoroughly and doesn't burn.

In addition to water or juice, you can also add other liquids to the crock pot to enhance the flavor of the ham. For example, you could use cola or pineapple juice as a base for your glaze, or add mustard, marmalade, or brown sugar to the liquid for a more complex flavor profile. Experiment with different combinations of liquids and glazes to find the perfect flavor for your Kentucky Legend Ham.

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Cook time depends on ham size

The cooking time for a Kentucky Legend Ham in a crock pot depends on the size of the ham. A two-and-a-half-pound ham will take around 2.5 to 3 hours to cook in a crock pot. For a larger ham, you can expect a longer cooking time, and for a smaller ham, it will take less time.

Kentucky Legend Hams are pre-cooked, so when preparing them in a crock pot, you are simply heating them up with a glaze. This means that the cooking time is relatively short compared to cooking a raw ham from scratch.

To ensure your ham is cooked through, it's important to check that it is hot all the way through before serving. You can do this by using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ham, which should reach at least 145°F for safe consumption.

Additionally, the cooking time can vary depending on the specific crock pot or slow cooker you are using. Different models and brands may cook at slightly different rates, so it's always a good idea to refer to your appliance's user manual for specific guidelines and recommendations. Some crock pots even have built-in temperature probes that can help you monitor the doneness of your ham.

In general, it's advisable to keep an eye on your ham while it's cooking and adjust the timing as needed. By following these guidelines and using your best judgment, you can ensure that your Kentucky Legend Ham turns out juicy and flavorful every time.

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Check for gluten

While preparing a crockpot meal with Kentucky Legend ham, it is important to be cautious about the presence of gluten in the ingredients. Ham can be one of those "sneaky gluten items", so it is always recommended to check the labels on the packaging carefully.

Kentucky Legend offers a variety of hams, including Whole Ham and Quarter Sliced Ham. Their hams are hand-selected and trimmed, cured in their natural juices, and smoked over real hickory wood. The curing process involves brining the ham, which can sometimes include gluten-containing ingredients.

To ensure your Kentucky Legend ham is gluten-free, scrutinize the ingredient list on the package. Look for any wheat-based ingredients, such as wheat flour, wheat starch, or wheat gluten. Additionally, watch out for other gluten-containing grains, such as barley, rye, or triticale. Sometimes, the labels may not explicitly mention the word "gluten," so being vigilant about identifying these grains is crucial.

If you are unsure or cannot find the ingredient list, you can visit the Kentucky Legend website or contact their customer support to inquire about the gluten content in their hams. They may provide allergen information or a detailed list of ingredients used in their products.

Remember, even if the ham itself is gluten-free, cross-contamination can occur during the slicing or packaging process. Therefore, it is always advisable to prioritize your health and double-check the gluten content, especially if you or someone consuming the meal has celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

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Slice and serve

When your ham is ready, carefully remove it from the crock pot and place it on a cutting board. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing. This will give the juices a chance to redistribute, ensuring your ham is juicy and flavorful.

Using a sharp knife, start by slicing the ham in a diagonal direction, cutting 8 to 10 deep slices about 1/2 inch apart. You can adjust the thickness of the slices to your preference, but slightly thicker slices often result in juicier pieces of ham.

Once you've made the initial diagonal cuts, you can then slice the ham into individual serving pieces. Aim for uniformity in size and thickness to ensure even cooking and an attractive presentation.

Arrange the sliced ham on a serving platter, fanning out the slices slightly to showcase the meat. If desired, garnish the platter with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme sprigs, or serve it as-is.

For a festive touch, you can also serve the ham with some of the cooking glaze drizzled on top or on the side as a dipping sauce. This will add extra flavor and moisture to the meat. Enjoy your Kentucky Legend ham!

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Frequently asked questions

It takes 2.5 to 4 hours to cook a Kentucky Legend Ham in a crock pot.

Kentucky Legend Hams come in various sizes, but a two-and-a-half-pound ham is perfect for two people with leftovers.

Adding a little water or pineapple juice to the crock pot will keep the ham moist during cooking.

A pineapple glaze is a popular choice for Kentucky Legend Hams. You can also make a glaze with marmalade, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, stone-ground mustard, and black pepper.

The crock pot should be set to low, and the ham should be cooked until it is hot throughout.

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