Crockpot Spiral Ham is tender, juicy, and slightly sweet & tangy thanks to the combination of brown sugar and hot sauce. Just 5 minutes of work for you, and the slow cooker does the rest!
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Why You'll Love This Crockpot Ham
Ham in a slow cooker is a great way to make an already easy main dish effortless. I’ve come across a variety of ham recipes in the past. Many were delicious! And I was excited to put my own spin on this- it tasted great with Scalloped potatoes and Garlic Green Beans.
Now, of course, I included brown sugar. But from there, I added some unexpected items to bring a little depth to the recipe. Jim Beam Red Stag brings a deep sweetness (don’t worry, the alcohol cooks off!), and a few dashes of hot sauce add a nice zing without actually making it spicy. Here's why I love this recipe:
- Dump and go recipe
- Incredibly flavorful
- Great for entertaining and holidays
- Family friendly
- Easy
Ingredient Information And Substitutions:
- Brown Sugar - Adds a subtle sweetness that isn't overbearing but adds enhances the flavor of the ham and other ingredients. I usually use light but dark brown sugar works great as well- it just gives a deeper flavor.
- Spiral Cut Ham - It's fine to make slow cooker spiral ham with bone-in or boneless ham. I prefer spiral cut because it's takes the work out of slicing.
- Jim Beam Red Stag - The flavorful whiskey is the perfect addition to crock pot spiral ham. Don't worry; the alcohol cooks off! I don't encourage you to substitute anything for the booze.
- Hot Sauce - A few dashes of hot sauce adds a zesty flavor, but don't worry; it's not spicy or overwhelming. Just delicious! I like Franks Red Hot but Tabasco Sauce works great as well.
How To Cook A Spiral Ham In The Crock Pot
Step 1: Prepare sauce
Mix together the half of the brown sugar, Red Stag, and hot sauce until combined. Set aside.
Step 2: Add brown sugar to crockpot
Sprinkle remaining brown sugar along the bottom of the crockpot.
Step 2: Place ham in crockpot and cover in sauce
Place the ham on top of the brown sugar and turn it so it fits well. Pour over ham.
Step 4: Cover and cook
Cover and cook the spiral ham in the crock pot for 6-8 hours on low or until it reaches 145 degrees. Baste a few times during the cooking period. Serve and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can find a boneless spiral ham that’s small enough, it makes cutting even easier. Around here, they only have bone-in spiral ham, and that worked as well. The biggest concern is making sure that the spiral ham fits in the crock pot.
Not for this ham recipe. I’ve found that it not extra moisture is needed. The sugar melts and combines with the juices from the ham.
4-5 days covered in the refrigerator.
Yes- I do it in the oven or in smaller portions in the microwave.
This recipe calls for cooking 6-8 hours on low in your slow cooker.
I like to save the juices and reheat the ham in the juices.
I place the juices into a pan and reduce them. If you’re pressed for time, you can just thicken the juices with a cornstarch slurry.
Yes, I freeze leftover crockpot ham in a plastic zipper bag.
Although I try to provide IP directions for all of my slow cooker recipes, this particular recipe isn't ideal for instant pot cooking as it doesn't start with much liquid, and liquid is an important component to instant pot cooking.
Tips For Making Sliced Ham
- Shape and size matter. My ham was around 7 pounds. Be mindful of the shape and size of the ham when purchasing. You want to make sure it will fit into the bowl of the slow cooker and fit under the cover.
- When you place the ham into the slow cooker, place it whichever way will best allow it to fit into the pot and still be able to cover it.
- Mix the sauce well. You'll know it's ready to pour because it will be completely liquid.
- Use the juices to moisten the ham when serving. You can also thicken it into a more traditional ham glaze.
- Reheating and leftovers: This reheats well in the oven (mix in juices and cover to maintain moisture) or as individual servings in the microwave. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
More Slow Cooker Recipes To Try...
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Crockpot Spiral Ham
Equipment
- slow. cooker
- Bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 2 cups brown sugar, divided
- 1 6-8 pound spiral cut half ham, bone-in or boneless
- 1 1.7 ounce Jim Beam Red Stag bottle (airline bottle)
- 2-3 dashes hot sauce, like Frank's Red Hot
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup brown sugar, Red Stag and hot sauce until well combined. Set aside.
- Place remaining brown sugar in an even layer on the bottom of the crock pot.
- Place the ham on top of the sugar, turning it whichever way you need to to fit the top of the pot on.
- Pour over the ham and use a brush to make sure it's covered evenly if necessary.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees, basting a few times throughout cooking. Slice and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Shape and size matter. My ham was around 7 pounds. Be mindful of the shape and size of the ham when purchasing. You want to make sure it will fit into the bowl of the slow cooker and fit under the cover.
- When you place the ham into the slow cooker, place it whichever way will best allow it to fit into the pot and still be able to cover it.
- Mix the sauce well. You'll know it's ready to pour because it will be completely liquid.
- Use the juices to moisten the ham when serving. You can also thicken it into a more traditional ham glaze.
- Reheating and leftovers: This reheats well in the oven (mix in juices and cover to maintain moisture) or as individual servings in the microwave. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
Toni says
Toni says
Jessy Freimann says