Slow Cooker Ham with Maple Glaze
Once you try this Slow Cooker Ham with Maple Glaze, you’ll never order a Honey Baked Ham again! It’s tender, juicy and smothered in a flavorful homemade ham glaze. It takes 10 minutes of hands-on prep, then you set it and forget it for a few hours for an easy holiday dinner!
Cancel that Honey Baked Ham order because you don’t need it anymore! This Slow Cooker Ham with Maple Glaze is juicy, flavorful and easier to make than standing in line to pick up that ham order.
I speak from experience…that line is long!
My family used to order that ham every year, but several years ago we all agreed that we were done with it because it’s overly sweet, expensive, and I already told you about that line. 🙂
This maple glazed ham recipe is super delicious, ridiculously easy, and it gets rave reviews every single time.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- This crock pot ham is tender, juicy and smothered in a flavorful homemade maple glaze.
- It’s an easy yet 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.
Maple glazed ham recipe ingredients
This slow cooker spiral ham takes just a few simple ingredients that can be swapped out based on your personal tastes.
- Ham. An 8 lb. boneless or bone-in fully cooked spiral sliced ham is ideal for this maple 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 complements the maple flavor and minimizes the sweetness of the glaze as well. It can be substituted with brandy, sherry or more orange juice.
- 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 can be omitted if you don’t have any on hand.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
How to make crock pot ham
Cooking ham in a slow cooker is so easy. It takes about 10 minutes of hands on prep time, then you can set it and forget it for 2 1/2 – 3 hours, or until the temperature of the ham reaches 140 degrees.
It truly doesn’t get easier than this!
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 water in the bottom of the slow cooker. Separate the ham slices, then place the ham in the slow cooker cut side up.
- Place the maple syrup, orange juice, bourbon and mustard in a small pot and stir well to combine. Cook for a few minutes over medium heat just until thickened.
- Pour the glaze all over the top and in between the ham slices.
- Cover and cook on low for 2 1/2 – 3 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees. Optional: Reserve half of the glaze for the heated ham for 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
A fully cooked ham should be heated gently on low heat in the crock pot, with about 1 cup of liquid. The liquid adds moisture to prevent the ham from drying out.
A fully cooked 8 lb. bone-in spiral sliced ham will take roughly 2 1/2 – 3 hours to heat in the slow cooker at low heat. The ham is ready when the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees. Be sure not to cook it any longer as the ham is fully cooked and you don’t want it to dry out.
Typical glazed hams contain an excessive amount of sugar. This homemade ham glaze includes maple syrup, so there’s no refined sugar, fresh orange juice, bourbon and dijon mustard for a delicious savory flavor with the perfect balance of sweetness.
The maple glaze is added to the ham just prior to heating it in the slow cooker. Simply spread the slices apart and pour the glaze in between the slices and over the top.
You can also opt to get a sticky sweet exterior on your ham by adding just half of the glaze during the cooking time. Once the ham is heated through, place it in a baking dish with some of the cooking liquid and brush the remaining half of the glaze over the top of the ham. Broil for a few minutes, keeping a very close eye on it, until you see the glaze get nice and bubbly.
Serving suggestions
This maple 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 yukon gold mashed potatoes and cranberry orange sauce.
- Serve for Sunday dinner with roasted sweet potatoes and pear salad.
- Use leftovers in ham frittata.
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 or more orange juice.
- 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, keeping a very close eye on it to keep it from burning.
More holiday recipes you’ll love:
- Roasted boneless turkey breast
- Cranberry orange sauce
- Green bean casserole
- Holiday salad
- Pear salad
- 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 Ham with Maple Glaze
Equipment
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
- 2 teaspoons whole grain mustard optional
- 1 cup water
- 8 lb. fully cooked spiral sliced ham mine was semi bone-in
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 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, 2 teaspoons whole grain mustard
- Pour the water into the slow cooker. Unwrap the ham, spread the slices apart and place in the slow cooker cut side up.1 cup water, 8 lb. fully cooked spiral sliced ham
- Pour the glaze over the ham and in between the slices. Only use half of the glaze here if you'd like a sticky sweet exterior on your ham (see notes). 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.
- Sub the bourbon with brandy or sherry. If you’d like the glaze to be booze-free, sub it with extra orange juice.
- 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 heated through, 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, keeping a very close eye on it to keep it from burning.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
**This recipe was originally published in March 2018. The photos have been updated to include step by step instructions and the text has been modified to include more recipe information.
24 Comments on “Slow Cooker Ham with Maple Glaze”
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!
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!
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!
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! 🙂
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!
I bet the maple gave it so much flavor!!
It really does!
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! 🙂
This ham looks gorgeous and the flavors are amazing! Definitely trying it! Perfect for Easter!
Thanks so much Mira!
Home-cooked ham is definitely the way to go! So good!!
And it’s so easy too! Thanks Melissa!
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!
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! 🙂
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! 🙂