Tillie Doyle
Cooking raw ham in a crock pot is a great way to prepare a delicious, juicy meal with minimal fuss. This method is ideal for holiday gatherings or large groups, as it frees up oven space and requires little attention during the cooking process. The key to a tasty crock pot ham lies in the seasoning and glaze, with ingredients like brown sugar, pineapple juice, mustard, and soy sauce enhancing the flavour of the meat. The cooking time varies depending on the size of the ham and the crock pot's age and settings, but typically ranges from 5 to 10 hours.
How to cook raw ham in a crock pot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of ham | Picnic ham, fresh ham, smoked ham, bone-in ham |
| Ham weight | 2.5 lbs, 5-8 lbs, 8 lbs |
| Ham size | Should fit in the crock pot with a snugly fitting lid |
| Crock pot size | 6-quart, 7-quart or larger |
| Temperature | Low |
| Timing | 3.5 hours, 5-7 hours, 8-10 hours |
| Ingredients | Brown sugar, pineapple juice, Coca-Cola, light beer, salt, soy sauce, ground cloves, ginger ale, mustard, orange zest, vinegar, honey, corn starch, soda, balsamic vinegar, Dijon |
| Other equipment | Stove top, oven |
| Leftovers | Refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right crock pot size
The shape of the ham is also an important factor. Ensure that the ham fits comfortably inside the crock pot, allowing the lid to close snugly. If the ham is too large, you may need to trim it to fit, or use heavy-duty foil to create a tight seal.
Additionally, the cooking time and temperature settings may vary depending on the crock pot's brand and age. Newer crock pots tend to have higher temperatures, reducing the cooking time. Thus, it is essential to follow your specific crock pot's instructions and adjust the timing accordingly.
For a large ham, a 7-quart or larger crock pot is recommended. However, if you have a smaller ham, such as a 2-pound ham, a smaller crock pot may be sufficient. It is important to ensure that the ham fits comfortably and that the crock pot is not overcrowded, as this can impact cooking efficiency and the overall taste of the ham.
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Preparing the raw ham
When preparing a raw ham to cook in a crock pot, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, choose the right size of ham that will fit in your crock pot. If you have a large group, you can go with a larger ham, but for a smaller gathering or everyday meal, a smaller ham will suffice. For a bone-in ham, a good rule of thumb is to estimate 3/4 pound of ham per person.
Before cooking, it's important to remove any skin from the raw ham, as it will produce a lot of grease during cooking. If your ham is pre-seasoned, simply skip the seasoning step. Otherwise, rub soy sauce over all sides of the ham and coat it with a mixture of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also try other seasoning options, such as vinegar and molasses, or a simple brown sugar glaze.
If desired, you can score the ham in a crosshatch pattern and insert whole cloves at the intersecting points for added flavour and aroma. Finally, place the ham in a greased crock pot, add 1/2 cup of water to the bottom, and it's ready for cooking!
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Seasoning and glazing the ham
Seasoning the Ham
Before placing the ham in the crock pot, it's important to season it thoroughly. Start by removing any skin from the ham, as this can produce excess grease during cooking. Next, rub soy sauce over all sides of the ham. If you're gluten-intolerant, be sure to use gluten-free soy sauce. In a separate bowl, mix salt, pepper, and garlic powder according to your taste preferences. You can also add other dried herbs and spices of your choice to this mixture. Coat the ham with the seasoning blend, but be cautious if your ham is already seasoned—you don't want to overdo it with salt. Any leftover seasoning mixture can be stored in an airtight container for future use.
Glazing the Ham
The glaze is what gives your ham that extra touch of flavour and a beautiful shine. You can make the glaze ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook. A simple glaze can be made by mixing brown sugar, honey, mustard, and a splash of vinegar. You can also experiment with other ingredients like pineapple juice, balsamic vinegar, or even soda. Once your ham is almost done cooking, brush the glaze generously over the ham. If you like your glaze extra sticky and sweet, you can add another layer of glaze and let it cook for a bit longer. Don't forget to save some extra glaze to drizzle over the sliced ham when serving!
Remember, the beauty of cooking ham in a crock pot is that it's forgiving and allows you to experiment with flavours. So, feel free to adjust the seasonings and glaze to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy the mouthwatering aroma of your crock pot ham as it fills your kitchen!
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for a raw ham in a crock pot will depend on the size of the ham, the power of your crock pot, and your personal preference for how well-done you like your meat. Most sources recommend cooking a raw ham in a crock pot for 8-10 hours on a low setting. However, one source suggests cooking a 2.5-pound ham for only 3.5 hours, while another recommends 5-7 hours for a 5-7 pound ham. If you are using a spiral-cut ham, you should reduce the cooking time by about half to prevent it from drying out.
It is important to note that the age of your crock pot can also affect the cooking time. Newer crock pots tend to cook faster due to their higher temperatures, which were implemented for food safety reasons. Therefore, you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on how new your crock pot is.
Additionally, the size of your crock pot will determine the size of the ham you can cook. A large crock pot (7-8 quarts) can typically accommodate a ham up to 8 pounds. If your ham is too large for your crock pot, you can either trim the ham to make it fit or use heavy-duty foil to create a tight seal.
When cooking a raw ham in a crock pot, it is important to ensure that there is some liquid in the pot to keep the ham moist and juicy. You can add water, pineapple juice, or another liquid of your choice to the bottom of the pot before adding the ham.
Once your ham is cooked, it is recommended to let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or shredding. You can then serve it as-is or create a sauce using the leftover juices in the crock pot.
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Making a sauce from the drippings
Once your ham is cooked, remove it from the crock pot and place it on a platter, tenting it with foil to keep it warm. Next, it's time to make your sauce from the drippings.
Skim any fat from the juices in the crock pot, then strain the juices into a saucepan. Place the saucepan on the stove over medium heat and bring the juices to a simmer. In a separate bowl, use a fork to stir cornstarch into water until smooth, creating a slurry. Slowly pour this slurry into the saucepan of simmering ham juices, whisking as you do so. Allow the mixture to bubble and thicken for a minute or two, stirring occasionally. If you want a thicker sauce, simply make and stir in some more of the cornstarch slurry.
For a caramelized glaze, transfer the cooked ham to a baking sheet. Boil the sauce in the saucepan until it reduces and thickens, then brush it over the ham. Broil for 3-5 minutes until golden. Slice the ham and drizzle with the reduced glaze for added flavour.
You can also add other ingredients to the sauce for extra flavour. For example, one source suggests adding light beer and a small amount of salt to taste, simmering for about 15 minutes. Another suggests using root beer as your cooking liquid, in addition to a brown sugar rub, for a sweet, maple-like glaze.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the size of the ham. A 2.5-pound ham will take 3.5 hours, while a larger ham of 5 to 7 pounds will take 5 to 6 hours.
You will need brown sugar, bone-in picnic ham, and liquid such as water, pineapple juice, or soda. You can also add seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, soy sauce, and ground cloves.
First, coat the ham with your chosen seasonings and rub with soy sauce. Then, put the ham into a greased crock pot with some water or another liquid at the bottom. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or 5-7 hours on high for the first 2 hours and then reduce to low.
