Ella Walter
Cooking shank ham in a crock pot is a great way to make a delicious, juicy meal without taking up oven space. It's a simple, low-fuss method that's perfect for holidays and special occasions. The key to success is keeping the ham moist and ensuring it doesn't dry out. This can be achieved by using liquids such as water, apple cider vinegar, or even soda, and by wrapping the ham in foil to prevent heat from escaping. A bone-in ham is recommended for more even cooking and added moisture. The cooking time will depend on the size of the ham, but it typically ranges from 4 to 6 hours on low heat, with the ham reaching an internal temperature of 140°F.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, water, soda, maple syrup, cornstarch, cloves |
| Ham type | Bone-in, boneless, whole, spiral cut, cured, uncured, smoked, shank, butt, shoulder |
| Ham weight | 5-7 pounds, 10 pounds, 20 pounds |
| Cook time | 4-6 hours, 5-5.5 hours, 8 hours |
| Temperature | Low, 140°F, 145°F |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right crock pot
Size: Opt for a larger slow cooker, especially if you plan to cook a big piece of ham. A 7-quart crock pot is often recommended for this recipe. However, if you're cooking for a smaller group or making a smaller ham, a 3-quart crock pot might be more suitable.
Shape: The standard shapes for crock pots are round or oval. The shape you choose depends on what you plan to cook. For example, if you're cooking a whole chicken or ribs, an oval shape might be better. But if you're mostly making beans or stews, a round shape can work just as well.
Functionality: Basic crock pots have three main elements: the base, the cooking vessel or crock, and the lid. More advanced crock pots may have additional features like a sear setting, programmable timers, locking lids, and temperature probes. Consider what functions are important to you and whether you're willing to pay more for these additional features.
Heat Distribution: Look for a crock pot that has a heating element that surrounds the base and extends up the sides. This ensures even heat distribution and reduces the need for frequent stirring. Avoid crock pots where the crock simply sits on top of the heating unit, as heat distribution may be uneven.
Ease of Cleaning: Choose a crock pot with a removable crock for easy cleaning. Also, consider a crock pot with a glass lid, which allows you to see inside without letting out heat. Additionally, look for non-stick and dishwasher-safe options to make cleanup more convenient.
Portability: If you plan to transport your crock pot, consider a model that is lightweight and has a locking lid to prevent spills.
By considering these factors, you can choose the right crock pot for cooking shank ham, ensuring delicious results and a positive cooking experience.
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Preparing the ham
Next, prepare your glaze. A traditional glaze can be made by mixing brown sugar, honey, mustard, and cloves. You can also add pineapple juice, maple syrup, pineapple, or vinegar to your glaze. If you want to avoid your ham being too sweet, you can skip the glaze and just use a thin layer of brown sugar.
Once your glaze is ready, rub or brush it all over your ham. Place the ham cut-side down in the slow cooker and add any remaining glaze to the pot. If your ham is too large for the slow cooker, you can cover the top with foil.
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Making the glaze
If you prefer a thinner glaze, you can simply brush or rub the glaze mixture over the ham before placing it in the slow cooker. However, if you want a thicker glaze, you can add cornstarch to the mixture. To do this, start by mixing cornstarch with water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Then, slowly pour the slurry into the glaze while whisking, and allow the mixture to bubble and thicken over medium heat.
You can make the glaze a day ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to cook the ham. This will save you time and effort when preparing your meal. Additionally, if your ham is pre-cooked, you can simply load it into the slow cooker in the morning, making it a convenient option for holidays and gatherings.
The glaze plays a crucial role in keeping the ham moist and juicy, so don't skip this step! You can also use the glaze to baste the ham during cooking for even more flavour.
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Cooking the ham
Next, place your ham cut-side down in the crock pot. If your ham is too large, you can cover the top with foil. Add your glaze to the crock pot, pouring it over the ham and trying to cover as much of the meat as possible. You can also add a thin layer of brown sugar to the bottom of the crock pot and sprinkle brown sugar over the top of the ham before adding the glaze.
Now, you're ready to cook your ham! Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 3-6 hours, depending on the size of your ham. A small ham may only need 2-3 hours, while a large ham could take up to 6 hours. You can flip the ham halfway through cooking and baste it with the glaze every hour if you remember. Your ham is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.
Once your ham is cooked, transfer it to a serving platter and skim the fat off the remaining liquid in the crock pot. Pour the liquid into a saucepan and place over medium heat to simmer for a few minutes until thickened. You can then pour this sauce over the ham or serve it on the side.
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Serving the ham
Once your ham is cooked, transfer it to a serving platter. If you want to add a glaze, you can pour the juices from the crock pot into a saucepan and simmer them on the stove. You can then spoon this sauce over the ham before serving.
If you want to add a glaze without using the meat juices, you can whisk together brown sugar, honey, mustard, and cloves to make a sticky-sweet sauce. You can also add pineapple to this mixture, or use pineapple juice instead of honey. This sauce can be brushed over the ham before serving.
If you prefer a thinner glaze, you can add water to the glaze mix. Most fully cooked hams come with a packet of glaze mix, which is essentially just brown sugar and spices. You can also make a glaze with soda, mustard, sugar, and vinegar.
If you want to serve your ham in slices, a boneless ham may be easier to work with. However, a bone-in ham will cook more evenly in the crock pot and has more moisture and flavor. A spiral ham is a good option for serving at holidays as it is easier to slice and you can get the glaze into each layer.
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Frequently asked questions
The time it takes to cook a shank ham depends on the size of the ham and the heat of your crock pot. A small ham may take 2-3 hours on low heat, while a large ham may take 4-6 hours.
You should cook your shank ham at a low temperature. Cooking on high heat may result in a dry ham.
You can use a variety of glazes for your shank ham, including brown sugar, honey, mustard, pineapple, vinegar, and soda.
