Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Ham
A slow cooker ham that is juicy, flavorful, and so simple! The maple, brown sugar and pineapple flavors are perfect for a tasty glaze.
I used to always bake my holiday ham in the oven according to package directions, occasionally using the sugary glaze that comes with the ham and sometimes not.
That’s what my sweet momma did, and I’m not one to veer too far from tradition.
However, when I decided to live on the edge and try my hand at a slow cooker ham years and years ago, I had no idea it would revolutionize my life.
It was fantastic. Really fantastic.
And it has since taken the internet world by storm! This is one of my most popular recipes all year, and it absolutely blows up during Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas (this Sweet Baked Ham is a very close second).
This slow cooker ham is more flavorful than so many other hams I’ve made before, and the flavors are so perfect – maple, brown sugar and pineapple.
Delicious – not to mention super simple.
I’ve noted this in the recipe below, but over the years, the only change I’ve made is to reduce the amount of time in the slow cooker.
My ham was slightly overdone after cooking for 7 hours, so for me and my slow cooker, 4-5 hours on low is the sweet spot.
I’m definitely not the only one who loves this simple, life-changing slow cooker ham! A quick glance through the comments and you’ll see there are a lot of fans of this best-ever slow cooker ham.
It is simple and delicious, and perfect for any time of the year, not just on holidays.
FAQs for Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Ham
Orange juice should work instead of pineapple.
You’ll want to adjust the time accordingly, and continue to check it throughout.
I’ve never used the broth for anything much because it’s a bit too sweet for my taste but you could definitely experiment.
Yes, the recipe calls for a pre-cooked ham.
What To Serve With This:
Tender biscuits like these Buttermilk Biscuits or Cream Biscuits
Homemade Baked Tater Tots
Classic Deviled Eggs
Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Ham
Ingredients
- 7-8 pound spiral-cut ham, bone-in or boneless
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 cups pineapple juice
Instructions
- Use a 6-7 quart slow cooker. Unwrap the ham and discard flavor packet. Place the ham into the slow cooker stoneware, flat-side down. Rub brown sugar on all sides. Pour on maple syrup and pineapple juice.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours. An hour before serving, baste ham with the collected juices from the bottom of the slow cooker.
- When cooking is done, remove carefully and let it rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before carving.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: adapted from Year of Crockpotting
304 Comments on “Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Ham”
I cooked this ham one time for my son for a Pot Luck. It was a hit! Will be making it again for Thanksgiving.
I have a large roaster pan. I was wondering if getting a bigger ham and using that would give me the same results? Thanks so much!
Yes, should work just fine! Just make sure not to over cook it.
Omg! So delicious! Best ham ever!
(Me thinking out loud) Hmmm . . . I wonder if I can cook this in the instant pot?
Did you ever try it in the instant pot?
This recipe is absolutely delicious! We just had it for Thanksgiving and my husband keeps talking about how tender and flavorful it was. The only change I made was to mix the brown sugar with some Dijon mustard. I also reduced the cooking liquid and served it as a sauce on the side. Thanks Mel!
Hi Melanie, how much Dijon mustard did you use? Did you still use the pineapple juice also?
Does the ham have to be spiral-cut? I have a bone in shank but it’s not spiral cut. Will this still work.
Yes, you can make this with a ham that is not spiral sliced.
Would you be able to crockpot sliced ham? How long would you cook it for? 🙂 thanks!
Hi Mel! Would this work buying ham that is already sliced and then cooking it in the crockpot? If so, how long would you cook it for?
Hi Tammy, yes, the recipe calls for a spiral sliced ham.
Okay….so I’m looking at my question and I need to clarify…LOL
What if I got thicker slices of ham from the deli and then put it in my crockpot…would that work for this particular recipe and if so, how long would I cook it for?
(Sorry for the dumb question)
Oh, gotcha. Yes, I think that would work. You really just want to heat the ham through and not cook it too much or else it turns dry and jerky-like. I’d suggest 2-3 hours on low.
Hi Mel! I love this recipe! It’s always a bit with the family. I am trying to make some make-ahead meals before meeting my new grandson. I am wondering if this can be made ahead, sliced, and left in juices for a couple of days before reheating the slices. Or can it be frozen in slices? I am trying to keep cooking time short and grandma time long! I also was hoping for a quick clean up if prepped and cooked ahead of time! What do you think? Thanks!
Hi Kelli! Yes, I think it could be made ahead and refrigerated or even frozen!
I don’t have pineapple juice or OJ. What would be a good substitute? I do have maple syrup and frozen concentrate for strawberry daiquiri mix (non-alcoholic). Would maybe syrup plus some vinegar work? (sweet + acid).
I’ve made tons of your recipes and really appreciate your blog.
Hi Danielle – you’ll have to experiment with that combination – I haven’t used anything other than pineapple juice or orange juice so I can’t say in full confidence if other substitutes will work out. Good luck!
Just had this for Easter dinner, phenomenal! My favorite used to be your sweet baked ham, but I may love this one just a hair more! Thank you, thank you!
My husband’s comment, this Mel woman is amazing, everyone of her recipes is excellent, and this ham is the best. We invite friends when I try a new recipient and they now ask, is it a Mel recipe. Thanks Mel, because of you I am considered a good cook.
Bertha
Thank you so much, Bertha!!
Any pineapple juice substitutions? My daughter is allergic to pineapple (and mango, kiwi, and tropical fruit in that vein)
Can she have orange juice? That would work!
I made this ham for Christmas and it was excellent. My husband said it was the best ham he ever tasted. Our guests took leftovers but we were able to save enough for two meals. We were sad when it was gone but I will be using this recipe from now on. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful recipes.
I was hoping the glaze would of been a lot thinker ..when cooked the ham adds so much juice that it makes the glaze watery .. but the flavor was there will try again ..maybe cook the ham about an hour first.. then drain then add glaze and slow cook another 3-4 hrs
Can you come a ham in an oven bag in a crock pot?
Have you ever made this with light brown sugar instead of dark?
Yes, works great!
I want to make this slow cooker maple brown sugar ham on Sunday for Easter. I have a 13 pound spiral sliced ham and a 10 quart crockpot that it will fit in. Do I double the brown sugar and pineapple juice? What about cooking time? Thanks for any help you can give me.
You probably can leave the cooking time the same or maybe increase by 30 minutes or so, but yes, I’d probably double the other ingredients.
Thank you so much for your help. The ham was wonderful — it got rave reviews from everyone. Moist & delicious. BYW – our daughter brought carrot cake made with your recipe, and our daughter-in-law brought your cheesy potatoes to the family dinner yesterday. We said it was a Mel dinner. Thanks again.
Oh, yay! Thanks for the update, Connie! Happy Easter!
Is this a pre-cooked ham?
Yes
I have been making your crock pot ham for the past few years ever since I found the recipe. It’s so easy and delicious! I always make it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
Hubby says it’s the best ham I ever made – my go to recipe!
I made this for Easter dinner – sooooo good! Juicy and sweet and tender, perfect. I’ll never cook ham in the oven again.
Made this for Thanksgiving. Turned out great I did cut the ham off the bone first, so it would fit on the Crock-Pot. Also added the spice packet. Made sure all slices were coated with sugar/syrup mixture before warming in the Crock-Pot.
SO good!! I can’t gush enough about how wonderful this recipe is. Fall off the bone ham. Will definitely be writing this one down and making it often!
I generally use tinned pineapple rings (chunked by me) and the juice…always turns out a beautiful ham/gammon, perfect for sandwich ham or thick cut gammon with eggs etc…
How would this recipe adapt for an electric roaster oven?
I’m not sure, I haven’t tried it – but maybe cooking it in a roaster at 250 degrees?
I have an uncooked ham from
Butcher. Would I just increase cooking time with this recipe or do I cook it first and then use your recipe? This is my first time with an uncooked ham so not sure how to proceed.
Hi Brenda – honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve never used an uncooked ham before, so you might try googling cooking times in a slow cooker for an uncooked ham to see if you can come up with a general guideline.
Why have I not tried this????? I’m gonna go buy me a ham for the helluvit!!!
What if I have a 5 pound boneless ham? How should I adjust recipe and cook time?
I’d probably check it after about 3 hours.
Horrible! .The meat turned into mush. I will keep my hams in the oven. The slow cooker changed the texture of the meat. ad to trash it and go out to eat.
I don’t really know what I’m doing. I got a whole hog from the butcher so I couldn’t tell you if this is spiral cut, but it’s certainly raw and has a bone, small maybe 4lbs. Most of the recipes I’ve come across are for pre cooked or cured hams that are larger. I’m just going to give this a try and see if it’s done when my husband gets home in 4hrs.