Ella Walter
Cooking a picnic ham in a crock pot is a simple and effective way to create a delicious meal. With only a few ingredients and a slow cooker, you can make a juicy and tender ham that's perfect for any occasion. The process is straightforward, requiring only a few steps and a cooking time of around 6-8 hours. The result is a mouth-watering ham that can be paired with various sides, such as mashed potatoes and green beans, making it a versatile dish for any gathering.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right picnic ham
Firstly, it is important to understand the characteristics of a picnic ham. A picnic ham typically comes from the shoulder or arm of the pig and includes the bone, also known as the shank or hock. This cut of meat tends to be more affordable than other types of ham, as it requires less butchery work. The meat from a picnic ham is notably tender and juicy, especially when slow-cooked.
When selecting a picnic ham, opt for one with a good layer of fat. This fat will help keep the meat moist during the long cooking process, ensuring a juicy and flavourful result. It is also advisable to choose a bone-in picnic ham for your crockpot meal. The bone will impart additional flavour to the dish, and the meat surrounding it tends to be more tender.
Another important consideration is the weight of the ham. Most crockpot recipes are designed for hams weighing between five and seven pounds. A larger ham, such as a 10-pound ham, will take longer to cook and may require adjustments to the cooking time and temperature.
Finally, always check the label to ensure you are purchasing a fresh ham that has not been pre-cooked. Pre-cooked hams are already fully cooked, and using one in a crockpot recipe will result in overcooking. A fresh, uncooked picnic ham is the best choice for a crockpot meal, allowing you to control the cooking time and temperature to achieve the desired result.
By considering these factors when choosing a picnic ham, you can ensure your crockpot meal is a success, resulting in tender, juicy, and flavourful ham that your family and friends will love.
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Preparing the ham
Next, prepare the slow cooker. Adding liquid is essential to keeping the ham juicy and preventing it from drying out. You can use water, but for extra flavour, try using pineapple juice, apple cider, or even soda like Dr Pepper. Add your chosen liquid to the slow cooker, along with a generous amount of brown sugar. You can also add other ingredients like mustard, vinegar, or maple syrup to create a sticky glaze. Mix the liquid and sugar together until the sugar is moistened.
Now it's time to add the ham. Place the ham into the slow cooker with the fat side down. If your ham is too large, you may need to trim it to make it fit. Using a sharp knife, score the ham about a quarter-inch deep all over the top. This will help the flavours permeate the meat. You can then rub more brown sugar onto the ham, pressing it down so it melts as the ham cooks. You can also try adding other spices or ingredients like whole cloves into the cross-sections of the scoring lines.
Finally, cover the slow cooker and set it to cook. A small ham should be cooked on low heat for around 2-4 hours. A larger ham may take 5-8 hours. It's important not to overcook the ham, as it will dry out. The ham is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (or 60°C), which you can check with a meat thermometer.
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Preparing the crock pot
Firstly, trim any thick skin or rind, and excess fat from the ham. This will ensure that your ham is not too fatty and will help it cook evenly. Next, spread a layer of brown sugar on the bottom of the crock pot. You can use about 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar, creating a sweet base for your ham. If you'd like to add some extra flavour, you can mix in some dry mustard, apple cider vinegar, or pineapple juice with the brown sugar.
Now, it's time to prepare the ham itself. Place the ham flat-side down into the crock pot, ensuring it sits comfortably in the bed of brown sugar. Using your hands, rub the remaining brown sugar onto the top and sides of the ham. You can also press the brown sugar down on the ham, ensuring it melts nicely during the cooking process. For extra flavour, you can score the ham with a sharp knife about 1/4 inch deep all over the top and poke whole cloves into the cross-sections. This will allow the flavours to really sink into the meat.
Finally, cover the crock pot and set the temperature. For a low and slow cook, set your crock pot to low and plan for 6 to 8 hours of cooking time. This will ensure your ham cooks evenly and stays juicy. If you're in a hurry, you can start with 2 hours on high and then turn it to low for 3 hours, but keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
Remember, the key to a great crock pot ham is keeping it moist and allowing the flavours to infuse slowly. So, take your time, and enjoy the delicious results!
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Cooking the ham
Now, rub the remaining brown sugar onto the ham, making sure to press it down so it melts as the ham cooks. You can also poke whole cloves into the cross sections of the scoring lines. Cover the slow cooker and cook the ham on low for 6 to 8 hours. A small ham should reach an internal temperature of 140°F (or 60°C) in 2 to 4 hours. However, check the ham regularly to ensure it doesn't overcook, as cooking times can vary depending on the size and shape of the ham, as well as the temperature of your slow cooker.
If you want to make a sauce or gravy, pour the juices left in the slow cooker into a large glass measuring cup and skim off any excess fat. Pour the liquid into a saucepan, whisk in cornstarch, and cook over medium heat until it thickens.
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Making a sauce or gravy
Using Juices from the Slow Cooker
If you've cooked your ham in a slow cooker, you can use the leftover juices to make a delicious gravy. Simply pour off the liquid into a large glass measuring cup and skim off any excess fat that rises to the top. Then, pour the liquid into a saucepan and place it over medium heat on your stovetop. For every cup of liquid, whisk in 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch and continue cooking while whisking until the liquid simmers and thickens, which should take around 5 to 7 minutes. This will give you a thick and flavourful gravy that pairs perfectly with your ham.
Glaze Variations
You can experiment with different glazes to find your favourite. Try a combination of soda, mustard, sugar, and vinegar for a tangy and sticky-sweet glaze. Alternatively, use apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and maple syrup with a hint of ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla for a festive flavour profile. If you're feeling adventurous, opt for a vinegar-based sauce instead of a thick bottled sauce for a unique twist.
Mustard and Pineapple Juice
For a slightly different take on the traditional glaze, mix dry mustard with brown sugar and sprinkle it onto the ham. You can also add pineapple juice to this mixture for a fruity twist. Stud the ham with cloves and cook it in the slow cooker for a mouthwatering, juicy result.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the size of the ham. A small ham should take 2 to 4 hours on a low setting, while a larger ham can take up to 8 hours.
You will need a bone-in picnic ham and brown sugar. Other ingredients you can add include pineapple juice, cloves, vinegar, mustard, apple cider, maple syrup, ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Trim the thick skin and fat off the ham. Spread brown sugar at the bottom of the crock pot and place the ham inside with the flat side down. Rub the remaining brown sugar onto the ham, cover, and cook.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cooking a fully cooked smoked ham to an internal temperature of 140°F (or 60°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check this.
Picnic ham goes well with mashed potatoes, green beans, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, and maple-glazed carrots.
