Tillie Doyle
Spiral ham is a popular dish for holidays and special occasions, and cooking it in a crock pot is an easy and convenient way to prepare it. Spiral hams are typically pre-cooked, so the crock pot method is ideal for heating the meat while adding flavour and tenderness. With just 5 minutes of prep work and a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and juicy ham that will be a hit with your family and friends. This guide will take you through the steps to cook a fully cooked spiral ham in a crock pot, from preparing the meat to serving it up with tasty side dishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Cook time | 3-5 hours |
| Temperature | Low |
| Meat thermometer reading | 140°F |
| Main ingredients | Spiral ham, brown sugar, maple syrup, pineapple juice |
| Glaze ingredients | Brown sugar, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, mustard |
| Sides | Scalloped potatoes, green beans, corn, carrots, potatoes, rolls, bread |
| Benefits | Easy, frees up oven space, doesn't dry out the ham |
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What You'll Learn
Prep and glaze the ham
To prep and glaze your ham, start by removing the ham from its packaging and discarding any glaze packets that come with it. You'll want to use a ham that's around 7-8 pounds in size, and if it's too big for your crock pot, you can trim the ham or cut it into smaller pieces. Place the ham inside your slow cooker, ensuring that you've sprayed the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray first.
Next, you'll want to coat your ham with a glaze. You can use a store-bought glaze packet or make your own. If you're making your own glaze, rub brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, and balsamic vinegar all over the meat using your hands. You can also try drizzling honey all over the ham. Then, pour pineapple juice into the bottom of the crockpot. If you don't have pineapple juice, you can use orange juice or apple cider instead.
Cover your crockpot with a lid or foil, and cook your ham on low for 3-5 hours, basting at least twice during the last hour of cooking. To ensure your ham is heated thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of the ham has reached a temperature of around 140°F.
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Place the ham in the crock pot
Spiral hams are usually pre-cooked, so you merely need to heat the ham through. To do this, place the ham in the crock pot. If your ham is not pre-cut, use a sharp knife to make thin slices in the ham before getting started. Spiral hams are usually pre-sliced, so this step may not be necessary.
If your ham is too large for your crock pot, you can try trimming the ham or cutting it into smaller pieces. You can also cover the top of the ham with foil and place the lid over the top, covering it as best you can. If your ham still doesn't fit and you're unable to modify it, you may need to cook it in the oven.
When placing the ham in the crock pot, put it flat side down. Make sure the crock pot is prepared with non-stick cooking spray.
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Cook on low heat for 3-5 hours
Cooking a fully cooked spiral ham in a crock pot is a great way to prepare a delicious meal with minimal effort. It's perfect for holidays and family gatherings as it frees up your oven for other dishes. The key to success is cooking the ham on low heat for 3-5 hours, allowing it to warm up evenly and absorb the flavours of the glaze.
To start, you'll need to prepare your crock pot by spraying it with a nonstick cooking spray. This step ensures that your ham doesn't stick to the surface and makes cleanup easier. Once your crock pot is ready, it's time to add the star of the show—the ham! Place your fully cooked spiral ham inside the crock pot, flat side down. If your ham is too large, don't worry. You can trim it or cut it into smaller pieces, ensuring it fits snugly inside the crock pot.
Before turning on the crock pot, it's essential to coat your ham with a mouth-watering glaze. For a classic flavour profile, rub brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, and balsamic vinegar all over the meat using your hands. You can also experiment with other glazes, such as honey or a combination of spices. After applying the glaze, pour pineapple juice into the bottom of the crock pot. The pineapple juice will create a steam effect, keeping the ham moist and infusing it with a subtle fruity flavour.
Now, it's time to cover your crock pot with a lid or foil and turn it on. Set the crock pot to low heat and let the ham cook for 3-5 hours. This extended cooking time at a lower temperature ensures that your ham warms up evenly and becomes tender and juicy. During the last hour of cooking, remember to baste the ham at least twice. Basting helps distribute the glaze evenly and keeps the ham moist and flavourful.
While your ham is cooking, you can prepare side dishes to complete your meal. Crockpot spiral ham goes well with various sides, including scalloped potatoes, green beans, corn, carrots, and rolls. The beauty of using a crock pot is that it frees up your oven, so you have plenty of space to prepare these dishes simultaneously.
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Check the temperature
Spiral hams are generally pre-cooked, so when using a crock pot, all you need to do is heat the ham through. This means that the cooking time is flexible, but it also means that you need to be careful not to overcook it, as this could dry out the meat.
To check that your ham is heated through without overcooking it, you can use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the ham and wait for a reading of around 140°F. This should indicate that the ham is heated thoroughly without being overcooked.
If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can also check that the ham is heated through by cutting into it and ensuring that it is warm all the way through. However, this method is less accurate and may result in the ham drying out.
It's important to note that the cooking time will vary depending on the size of your ham and the temperature setting of your crock pot. Most recipes recommend cooking the ham on low heat for 3 to 5 hours, but this may vary depending on the weight of the ham. A larger ham may take longer to cook, while a smaller ham may be ready in less time.
To ensure that your ham stays moist and juicy, it's recommended to baste it a few times during the cooking process. You can also try different liquids, such as pineapple juice, orange juice, or apple cider, to add flavor and moisture to the ham.
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Serve with your choice of sides
A crockpot spiral ham is a great choice for a holiday meal as it frees up oven space for sides and rolls. Here are some classic holiday side dishes that you can serve with your crockpot spiral ham:
Casseroles
Casseroles are a great option to serve as a side dish with your crockpot spiral ham. Some options include a classic green bean casserole, crockpot green bean casserole, green bean casserole with bacon and cheese, and a potato casserole (also known as funeral potatoes). You can also try a corn casserole or a mac and cheese casserole.
Breads and Rolls
Breads and rolls are always a welcome addition to any meal. You can serve classic dinner rolls or get creative with Lion House rolls or Easter resurrection rolls. If you're feeling adventurous, try making ham and cheese crepes!
Salads
A fresh salad can complement the heartiness of the ham. An apple cranberry spinach salad is a great option for the winter holidays. You can also serve a simple green salad with tomatoes and mozzarella or a fruit salad.
Vegetables
Roasted or steamed vegetables are a healthy and delicious option to serve with your ham. Green beans, corn, carrots, and potatoes are all great choices. You can also try Parmesan potato halves or Dauphinoise potatoes (scalloped potatoes).
Stuffing
Stuffing is a classic side dish for holiday meals and goes well with ham. You can make it from scratch or use a boxed mix.
Desserts
Don't forget to leave room for dessert! Some options that would pair well with the crockpot spiral ham include apple pie, pumpkin pie, or a fruity cobbler.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes approximately 3-5 hours to cook a fully cooked spiral ham in a crock pot on low heat.
The crock pot should be set to low heat, at around 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
First, spray the crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Then, rub the ham with a glaze made from brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, balsamic vinegar, and pineapple juice.
If your ham is too big, you can try trimming it or cutting it into smaller pieces. You can also cover the top of the ham with foil and place the lid on top. If your ham still doesn't fit, you may need to cook it in the oven.
Some side dish ideas include green beans, corn, carrots, potatoes, rolls, and salads.
