Today I’m going to share with you one of my favorite slow cooker recipes: Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham. It is a classic recipe that I have been making for the Holiday Dinner for decades. It is easy and delicious. Perfect for Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Day, Easter Dinner, or any time you want ham.
Sweet and Savory Slow Cooker Ham
When it comes to cooking, the slow cooker is one of my favorite tools. It’s so easy to just throw everything together before work and have a delicious meal ready by the time I come home.
This recipe for Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is no exception. Just 5 minutes of prep time and you can cook this ham overnight or while at work; then all that’s left to do is make some side dishes. Once you try this sweet-and-savory dish, you’ll want it again and again.
Table of contents
No Oven Space for the Ham
During the Holiday season when we are making enough food to feed a small village, the stove gets worked overtime. Often, the oven space comes at a premium. It is so nice to be able to add everything to the slow cooker.
The ham is so succulent, tender, and juicy, it is almost too hard to believe. Whenever I make a ham in the oven, it comes out dry and a bit tough. Even though I cook it low and slow and make sure to cover with aluminum foil. Once I tried the slow cooker, I have never made my ham in the oven again. Which reduces my stress level as it is easy, fool-proof, and frees up my oven to make other delicious goodies.
If you have the room in your oven try this old family recipe for ham with ham gravy. Did you know you can make Insta Pot Boneless Ham in under 15 minutes?
Simple Ingredients for the Perfect Holiday Ham
Ham. Most of the time, I use a bone-in spiral sliced ham for this recipe. However, this recipe works with any type of ham that you prefer. It can be spiral sliced, not sliced at all, bone-in, or bone-out. It all works. However, my favorite way is bone-in and spiral ham. Why? The bone-in adds more flavor and I can use the bone for soup later. The spiral cut because it makes cutting and serving a breeze.
Pineapple. I like to use pineapple chunks or crushed pineapple tidbits. If making this ham recipe for just my family, I will use the crushed pineapple as it is spread throughout the ham and sauce. When making this for a crowd, I will use the chunks so people that are not as fond of eating the pineapple can pick it off if they choose.
Brown Sugar. Adds just the right amount of sweetness and will create a nice sweet glaze on the outside of the ham. Just a bit of the sweet paired with the salty ham is a delectable combination.
How to Cook Ham Roast
While this can be made in the oven, I prefer the slow cooker ham as it is much juicier. It is a simple dump-and-go recipe with great results every time. When cooking for a crowd, recipes that have minimal prep time are wonderful.
In a slow cooker, add the ham, brown sugar, and pineapple juice on top the ham. Cover with the slow cooker lid and cook on low.
How Long Does It Take to Cook a Ham in a Slow Cooker?
For a 6-pound ham, it takes approximately 3-4 hours to cook a ham in the slow cooker on low heat. Check to make sure the ham is heated through by inserting a thermometer into the thickest part of the ham to check the internal temperature. The meat thermometer should read at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you have a large ham to cook, plan approximately 40 minutes of cooking time on low for each pound of ham. Adjust your cook time according to the size of ham.
I have a large slow cooker to fit a 10-pound ham and I will plan on 6-7 hours of cooking time for the ham on low. If I am in a hurry, I can cook the ham on high and get the job done in 3-4 hours.
How Much Ham Per Person?
When I am planning my Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas, I will plan ¾ of a pound of ham per person. Therefore, an 8-pound ham will feel 10-11 people.
As a host, I like to send a bit of ham home with some of my guests and we love eating it over the next few days.
Additionally, the leftover ham is delicious is a variety of recipes.
Sweet Pineapple and Brown Sugar Ham Glaze
If you want to thicken the sauce and use it as a glaze, just add a bit of corn starch to water to dissolve. Bring the juices to a boil in a small saucepan. Slowly add the corn starch mixture, whisking and cooking a few minutes until thickened.
This can be used as a gravy, spooned over the ham for serving, or spooned over the ham and baked in the oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to make the glaze sticky.
Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
Slow Cooker Sweet Ham
- 1 6 Pounds Fully Cooked Ham I like to use a Spiral Cut
- 1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar
- 10/5 Ounces Pineapple 1 can, Chunks or Tidbits
Ham and Brown Sugar Gravy
- 2 Cups Ham Juice
- 2 Tablespoons Corn Starch
- 2 Tablespoons Water
Instructions
Slow Cooker Ham
- In a slow cooker, add the ham, brown sugar, and pineapple juice on top the ham. Cover with the slow cooker lid and cook on low.1 6 Pounds Fully Cooked Ham, 1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar, 10/5 Ounces Pineapple
- For a 6-pound ham, it takes approximately 3-4 hours to cook a ham in the slow cooker on low heat. Check to make sure the ham is heated through by inserting a thermometer into the thickest part of the ham to check the internal temperature. The meat thermometer should read at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ham and Brown Sugar Gravy
- Mix the water and corn starch together in a small glass and set aside.2 Cups Ham Juice, 2 Tablespoons Corn Starch, 2 Tablespoons Water
- Bring the ham juices to a boil in a small saucepan. Slowly add the corn starch mixture, whisking and cooking a few minutes until thickened.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
How Long to Cook a Ham in a Slow Cooker
Plan approximately 40 minutes of cooking time on low for each pound of ham. Adjust your cook time according to the size of ham. I have a large slow cooker to fit a 10-pound ham and I will plan on 6-7 hours of cooking time for the ham on low. If I am in a hurry, I can cook the ham on high and get the job done in 3-4 hours.How Much Ham Per Person?
When I am planning my Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas, I will plan ¾ of a pound of ham per person. Therefore, an 8-pound ham will feel 10-11 people. As a host, I like to send a bit of ham home with some of my guests and we love eating it over the next few days. Additionally, the leftover ham is delicious is a variety of recipes.Sweet Pineapple and Brown Sugar Ham Glaze
If you want to thicken the sauce and use it as a glaze, just add a bit of corn starch to water to dissolve. Bring the juices to a boil in a small saucepan. Slowly add the corn starch mixture, whisking and cooking a few minutes until thickened. This can be used as a gravy, spooned over the ham for serving, or spooned over the ham and baked in the oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to make the glaze sticky.Nutrition
How Long Does Cooked Ham Last
When stored in a refrigerator that is at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, a whole ham will last up to 1 week. However, once slice or cut into smaller pieces, it will last up to 5 days.
If you have purchased a canned ham, that will last for up to 9 months in a refrigerator if left unopened. Otherwise, if you open the canned ham, it is like any other ham pieces and will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
How to Cut a Ham
Cutting a Spiral-Sliced Ham. When I am using a spiral-sliced ham, it is partially cut through, which makes carving a ham easier. However, I still need to finish the job. Therefore, I cut the meat slices horizontally in half. Then cut along side of the ham bone to free the pieces.
I will use a tongs or a few forks to grab the meat and transfer ham to a cutting board. From there, I can finish cutting between the slices to separate them.
Then I transfer the slices to a serving dish.
Cutting a Whole Unsliced Ham. When cutting a whole ham, there is often quite a bit of juice. Therefore, for less mess and easier clean up, I will place my cutting board in a cake pan. It fits in nicely and catches any juice so I can pour it back on the ham.
Then I make a horizontal cut along the length of the ham and another about 3-inches away. Next make a cut along the bottom of the same section you just cut. To get the ham away from the ham bone, cut along the bone along the entire strip that you just cut.
Take this strip and place on the cutting board and cut your desired thickness of ham slices. Place the slices in a serving dish.
What to Serve with Christmas Ham, Easter Ham, Thanksgiving Ham
The holidays are right around the corner which means that you’re probably planning out all your favorite foods for everyone in attendance at your home. One dish you’ll definitely see on quite a few tables during the Holiday Season is ham. There’s nothing like enjoying juicy ham slices with a few side dishes.
Here are some ideas for your Holiday Table.
These really are the best creamy mashed potatoes and I make them every year for our Holiday meals.
Freeze the corn in late summer and enjoy fresh-tasting sweet corn anytime throughout the year.
Baked Honey Butter Corn is a great way to make a delicious side dish recipe for a crowd.
This classic sausage and herb stuffing has graced our Thanksgiving table for decades.
I hope you give this easy slow cooker recipe a try for your next family gathering. Whether it is a holiday meal or another special occasion, this easy recipe is sure to please the pickiest of eaters.
Don’t forget Dessert!
