Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Ham
Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Ham is tender, flavorful and smothered in a homemade ham glaze. It takes 10 minutes of hands-on prep, then you set it and forget it for up to 3 hours for a fuss-free holiday dinner!
Cancel that Honey Baked Ham order because you don’t need it anymore! This Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Ham is everything you want your ham to be and it takes less time to prep than it will for you to stand in line to pick up that Honey Baked Ham.
I speak from experience…that line is long.
My family used to order that ham every year, but a few years ago we all agreed that we were done with it.
It’s too sweet, it’s overly expensive and I already told you about that line. 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- This crock pot ham is tender, flavorful and smothered in a homemade maple glaze.
- It makes a festive holiday dinner or special Sunday dinner.
- It takes just 10 minutes of hands-on prep and is ready in about 3 hours.
- There’s no refined sugar and it’s gluten and dairy-free.
Recipe ingredients
Ingredient notes
- Ham. An 8 lb. boneless or bone-in fully cooked spiral sliced ham is ideal for this glazed ham recipe. If a glaze or seasoning packet is included, you will not need it as this recipe includes a homemade glaze.
- Maple syrup. Feel free to substitute the maple syrup with honey or your favorite sweetener.
- Orange juice. For best results, use fresh orange juice for the freshest flavor.
- Bourbon. The bourbon adds great depth of flavor and minimizes the sweetness of the glaze. It can be substituted with brandy, sherry, more orange juice or even chicken or vegetable stock.
- Mustard. The dijon mustard adds a wonderful savory flavor that balances the flavors of the glaze perfectly. I’ve also included some whole grain mustard as well, but that’s completely optional.
How to make crock pot ham
Making ham in the crock pot is SO easy. It takes about 10 minutes of prep, then you set it and forget it for up to 3 hours.
Pro tip: Prepare the glaze in advance and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. Simply heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds to loosen it up and make it easier to brush on the ham.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Place the glaze ingredients in a small pot and cook it down for a few minutes until thickened. Add a bit of water in the bottom of the slow cooker. Separate the ham slices, then place the ham in the slow cooker.
- Pour the glaze all over the top and in between the slices, and place it meat side down. Cover and cook on low for 2 1/2 – 3 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees.
- In the recipe for this slow cooker ham, I’ve given you the option to reserve half of the glaze for the cooked ham to give it more of a sticky-sweet glazed exterior. Simply place the ham with some of the cooking liquid in a baking dish, brush with the reserved glaze, and broil for a few minutes until you see the glaze get nice and bubbly.
FAQs
An 8 lb. bone-in spiral sliced ham will take 2 1/2 – 3 hours to heat in the crock pot. Cook it to 140 degrees and no longer as it’s fully cooked and you don’t want it to dry out.
Typical glazed hams contain an abundance of sugar. This homemade ham glaze includes maple syrup, fresh orange juice, bourbon and dijon mustard for a delicious savory flavor.
There’s no refined sugar in this glaze, and it’s the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors!
Since the ham is fully cooked, it should be heated gently in the crock pot at low heat just until heated through. Add 1/2 cup water to the slow cooker as it provides moisture and keeps the ham from drying out.
Serving suggestions
This glazed ham is as versatile as it is easy, so it can be served a number of ways.
- It’s great for holiday gatherings served with mashed potatoes and cranberry orange sauce.
- Serve for Sunday dinner with roasted sweet potatoes and pear salad.
- Slice thinly and serve as ham sliders with a side of coleslaw or brussels sprout salad.
- Use leftovers in Monte Cristo French toast, ham frittata or white bean stew.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Prepare the glaze in advance and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. Simply heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds to loosen it up and make it easier to brush on the ham.
- The bourbon adds great depth of flavor and minimizes the sweetness of the glaze. It can be substituted with brandy, sherry, more orange juice or even chicken or vegetable stock.
- Store slow cooker ham in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- If you’d like the ham to have a sticky-glazed exterior, only use half of the glaze during the cooking the time. Once done, place the ham in a large 13×9″ baking dish with a bit of cooking liquid and brush all over and between the slices with the remaining glaze. Broil just a few minutes until the glaze is nice and bubbly (do not over cook or the ham will dry out!).
More holiday recipes you’ll love:
- Roasted boneless turkey breast
- Cranberry orange sauce
- Green bean casserole
- Mashed potatoes
- Pear salad
- Scalloped potatoes with ham by The Seasoned Mom
- Sweet potato casserole
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Slow Cooker Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup substitute with honey or your favorite sweetener
- 1/4 cup bourbon see notes for substitutions
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard optional
- 1/2 cup water
- 8 lb. fully cooked spiral sliced ham mine was semi bone-in
Equipment
Instructions
- Place the maple syrup, bourbon, orange juice, dijon and whole grain mustard (if using) into a small sauce pan and whisk to combine. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5-10 minutes or until thickened.1/2 cup pure maple syrup, 1/4 cup bourbon, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tablespoons dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
- Pour the water into the slow cooker. Unwrap the ham, spread the slices apart and place in the slow cooker.1/2 cup water, 8 lb. fully cooked spiral sliced ham
- Pour the glaze over the ham and in between the slices, then place the ham cut side down. Cover and cook on low for 2 1/2 – 3 hours or until warmed through (about 140 degrees), basting from time to time when you think about it. Slice, serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Pro tip: Prepare the glaze in advance and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. Simply heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds to loosen it up and make it easier to brush on the ham.
- Customize the glaze to your liking with your favorite sweetener, and omit the bourbon if you want your glaze to be booze-free.
- Store slow cooker ham in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- If you’d like the ham to have a sticky-glazed exterior, only use half of the glaze during the cooking the time. Once done, place the ham in a large 13×9″ baking dish with a bit of cooking liquid and brush all over and between the slices with the remaining glaze. Broil just a few minutes until the glaze is nice and bubbly (do not over cook or the ham will dry out!).
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
24 Comments on “Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Ham”
Oh gosh, I’m in LOVE with the trio of flavors you packed into this gorgeous glazed ham, Marcie! Orange, bourbon, and maple just sound like a legit match made in heaven. 🙂 This is waaaaay beyond Easter dinner goals.
Thanks so much Sarah and these flavors are definitely a match made in heaven! 🙂
Mmm this definitely looks way better than a honey baked ham! I’m loving this flavor combo, Marcie! I can only imagine how good it must taste, and smell, too! And even better that it’s made in the slow cooker. So perfect for Easter!
Thanks Gayle! 🙂
That Wellshire ham looks amazing, this does sound much better than a honey baked ham, this is so perfect for easter sunday
Thank you so much Albert!
Home-cooked ham is definitely the way to go! So good!!
And it’s so easy too! Thanks Melissa!
This ham looks gorgeous and the flavors are amazing! Definitely trying it! Perfect for Easter!
Thanks so much Mira!
There are no words to describe my love for ham… I’m doe-eyeing the heck out of these photos! I could definitely see my family loving this for Easter brunch this Sunday 😀
Thanks so much Julia! I only have ham like this twice a year so I want to make the most of it! 🙂
I bet the maple gave it so much flavor!!
It really does!
I’m ashamed to say I did not even know you COULD buy a sliced ham – that’s amazing! I so love that this is done in the slow cooker – I am sending this recipe to my Mom, who has decided she’d like to make ham this coming Sunday. Looks amazing!
Yes and it’s the easiest way to go! Thanks so much Katherine!
We always buy a spiral ham for special occasions and I always make my own glaze. I’m definitely trying this recipe next time. Love the orange, maple, mustard and bourbon combo! So many good things all in one!
Thanks so much Leanne! 🙂
Hi!
Can you substitute the bourbon with a different ingredient?
Can’t wait to make this!
Hi Christy! You can sub the bourbon with more orange juice or even water…any liquid will be fine!
A great recipe , perfect combination of flavors . Will definitely make this again. Thank you for a wonderful simple recipe .
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Joy. Thanks for your feedback!
This sounds amazing. I gave up on Honey Baked Hams when they got so expensive. Costco spiral hams are great and I’m going to pitch their glaze packet and try yours. May I ask what you mean when you said put it meat side down? Do you mean the sliced area will be on the bottom? Sorry for my confusion.
Hi Jill! Sorry for the confusion….the recipe should have said “cut side down”. I have modified the recipe to reflect this change and I hope you enjoy it!