Crockpot Spiral Ham

4.97 from 97 votes
173 Comments

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This Crockpot Spiral Ham is a favorite around the holidays. With only 4 ingredients and virtually no mess, this recipe couldn’t be easier!

Plated Slow Cooker Spiral Ham with layers cascading forward.
Table of Contents
  1. Crockpot Spiral Ham Recipe
  2. How to Make Spiral Ham in a Slow Cooker
  3. Best Ham Glaze Options
  4. Best Maple Syrup for Slow Cooker Ham
  5. Crockpot Tips
  6. No Crockpot? No problem!
  7. Best Side Dishes to Serve with Ham
  8. Storing and Reheating Leftovers
  9. Questions About Spiral Ham
  10. Crockpot Spiral Ham Recipe

Crockpot Spiral Ham Recipe

This spiral ham is delicious anytime, but especially around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Personally, I love making a big ol’ ham full well knowing I am going to have lots of leftovers for even more tasty recipes throughout the week. It’s the ham that keeps on giving. There are a million different reasons why I love this recipe, but probably the biggest reason is that it’s just so easy. It is the most foolproof ham recipe ever and it’s always a hit!

Why Make Spiral Ham in a Crockpot

When preparing meals for a holiday dinner or even a big Sunday dinner, oven space becomes an issue. Heating the ham in the crockpot saves oven space for side dishes and rolls and allows the meat to simmer in the sweet sauce. Another benefit of using a Crockpot is that it doesn’t dry out the ham. This ham is slow-cooked in the Crockpot and it always turns out perfectly! The ham stays tender and flavorful. You can always cover the ham with foil before serving to keep it from drying out. Don’t forget to use a CrockPot liner to make cleanup even easier!

Ingredients for Crockpot Ham

This Crockpot ham recipe couldn’t be easier! All you need is ham and three other ingredients to make the tastiest sauce you will ever try. These ingredients are simple and add the most flavor when combined. The least amount of ingredients for the most amazing flavor of ham!

  • Spiral-cut ham: This recipe calls for an 8-10 pound boneless or bone-in ham. You can easily cook a larger ham, and double the ingredients for the glaze.
  • Brown sugar: About a cup of sweet light brown sugar! This will melt together with the maple syrup and poured overtop the spiral-sliced ham. You can even use dark brown sugar for a more deep and savory crockpot ham recipe.
  • Maple syrup: For this slow cooker ham recipe, use real maple syrup. The thick, sweet syrup will make the best glaze for the ham.
  • Canned pineapple juice: I usually use canned pineapple juice for this recipe, but fresh pineapple juice works fine too.
Spiral Ham, brown sugar, pineapple juice, maple syrup and a Crockpot.


How to Make Spiral Ham in a Slow Cooker

  1. First, remove ham from packaging and place in a large (7+ quart) Crockpot of Slow cooker. I always make my own glaze so I discard the glaze packet if there is one included.
  2. Place ham flat-side down in the slow cooker. If it doesn’t fit, ham can be placed on its side so the lid can close.
  3. Generously rub brown sugar all over the ham. Pour maple syrup and pineapple juice over the ham, getting it down between all the layers.
  4. Place the lid on the Crockpot and slow cook on low for 2-3 hours.
  5. Stir juices and spoon over the ham. Cook on low for an additional 30 minutes. Remove ham from slow cooker and allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips for Perfect Spiral Ham Every Time

Take your ham to the next level with this spiral ham crockpot recipe! It only takes minutes to prep and cooks all day in the slow cooker giving it that intense flavor and aroma throughout your home. These helpful tips will give you the best crockpot spiral ham recipe yet!

  • Layer with Ingredients – For added flavor, consider layering the ham with ingredients like pineapple rings, maraschino cherries, or even brown sugar on the bottom before adding the ham.
  • Baste periodically – Baste the ham with the glaze and juices from the bottom of the slow cooker every hour or so for maximum flavor.
  • Check the internal temperature – Ham is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure it’s cooked to perfection.
  • Use the broiler for a glaze finish – To create a caramelized glaze on the ham’s surface, transfer it to a baking sheet and broil it in the oven for a few minutes after slow cooking.
  • Let it rest – Allow the ham to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This lets the juices redistribute, resulting in a juicier spiral ham.
  • Serve with extra glaze – Offer extra glaze on the side for those who want an extra drizzle of flavor. Thicken the glaze by placing it in a small saucepan on the stove and thickening it with a little cornstarch-water mixture and a little extra brown sugar until thickened to your desired consistency.
Spiral Ham in the Slow Cooker garnished with thyme.

Best Ham Glaze Options

To use these glazes in this crockpot spiral ham recipe, simply place the spiral ham in the crockpot and brush the glaze over it. If you are using a spiral ham, make sure to get the glaze on every slice. Cook on low for the same amount of time as in the recipe below, occasionally basting the ham with the glaze. The low and slow cooking process will allow the flavors to meld beautifully, no matter which hame glaze you choose!

Maple Brown Sugar Glaze (My Favorite)

For this recipe, we use a delicious maple and brown sugar glaze. It is my favorite and I use it often! In the recipe I use 2/3 cup of maple syrup but usually I am a little more heavy-handed with it. For the pineapple, I just use the pineapple juice from a can of pineapple chunks. Sometimes I will just dump the chunks of pineapple right in the Crockpot with the ham and serve it on the side, just for fun.

Maple syrup pouring on a Spiral Ham in the Slow Cooker.

Best Maple Syrup for Slow Cooker Ham

For this recipe, I love using REAL maple syrup. It adds such a rich, maple flavor that is hard to beat. Of course, real maple syrup is quite expensive, so if you want to use your typical Mrs. Butterworth’s (or any regular breakfast maple syrup), that’s okay too. Don’t skimp on the syrup. If you feel like you need to add a little extra, do it! Follow your heart. If syrup just isn’t your thing, you can also use honey.

Creative Glaze Variations

Although the maple brown sugar glaze is my go-to, there are lots of fun glaze options out there. Here are some more great glaze ideas:

  1. Honey Mustard Ham Glaze – ½ cup honey, ¼ cup Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  2. Cherry Coke Glaze – 1 cup cherry Coke (or any cola), ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, ¼ cup maraschino cherry juice
  3. Orange and Ginger Glaze – ½ cup orange marmalade, 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, ¼ cup orange juice, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  4. Cranberry and Dijon Glaze – ½ cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied), 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  5. Spicy Sriracha and Honey – ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce (adjust to your spice preference), 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  6. Cider and Mustard Crockpot Ham Glaze – ½ cup apple cider, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Lid covering a Crockpot with Spiral Ham inside.

Crockpot Tips

Let the crockpot do all the work! These helpful tips will ensure that your ham turns out perfectly every time!

  • Choose the right size crockpot – Ensure that your Crockpot is the right size for your ham. A bone-in ham may require a larger slow cooker.
  • Use a liner for easy cleanup – Consider using a Crockpot liner to make cleanup a breeze.
  • Cook on low heat – Slow cookers are meant for low and slow cooking. Cooking on low heat ensures the ham remains tender and doesn’t dry out.

No Crockpot? No problem!

Don’t have a crockpot but still want to make a delicious spiral ham? Try our oven-baked Honey Baked Ham Recipe. This is the perfect solution if your ham is too big for your Crockpot or you simply don’t have a Crockpot to use. You can still use the brown sugar glaze found in this recipe or go all in and make it Honeybaked ham style.

Honey baked ham being cooked in a roasting pan in the oven

READ MORE: 25+ Traditional and Easy Sunday Dinner Ideas

Best Side Dishes to Serve with Ham

Want to make this slow cooker spiral ham but need some side dish ideas? You can never go wrong with a side of simple green beans, corn, carrots, and/or potatoes. We almost always serve this ham with our Cheesy Potato Casserole (aka Funeral Potatoes) and a Green Bean Casserole, but it is also VERY good with Parmesan Potato Halves or Dauphinoise Potatoes (scalloped potatoes). You can also serve with a salad (I love making our Christmas Salad, especially), Sautéed Peas, or even Creamy Potatoes and Peas. You can’t go wrong with any of these ideas for sides!

Close up of Slow Cooker Spiral Ham slices.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

To store your leftover spiral ham, let it cool to room temperature, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place it in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for three or four days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

When reheating individual slices in the microwave, wrap them in a damp paper towel to keep them from drying out. For larger portions, heat in an oven-safe dish with a lid or tight foil cover and reheat in a preheated oven at 325°F until heated through (about 10-15 minutes per pound). Always check with a meat thermometer (140°F).

You can also use your leftovers in soups or other recipes (see more ham recipes below). Remember, ham can only be reheated once so if you are heating a large amount, be prepared to polish it off!

Best Leftover Ham Recipes

No matter how many guests I have, I always seem to have so much ham left over! Chop up leftover crockpot ham and use it in omeletsbreakfast casseroles, or breakfast sandwiches. So many possibilities! Here are a few of my favorites:

Ham and Bean Soup
Crockpot Split Pea Soup
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Layered Cold Pasta Salad
Ham Salad
Chef Salad

Questions About Spiral Ham

How much ham per person should I plan on?

If you are planning a Christmas or Easter dinner, this question is always at the top of the list. How big of a ham should you buy? For a spiral ham, plan on ½ pound per person. So, if you will be serving 12 people, make sure your ham is at least 6 pounds. If you do have leftovers, you can easily freeze leftover ham and use it later for soup, casseroles, or sandwiches.

What if my spiral ham is too big for the Crockpot?

You can try trimming the ham or cutting it into smaller pieces. You can also cover the top of the ham with foil and place the lid over the top covering it as best you can. If your ham still doesn’t fit and you’re unable to modify it, you may need to resort to oven cooking. Preheat your oven to the recommended temperature for your ham, place it in a roasting pan, and follow the cooking instructions provided with your ham.

Can I use another juice besides pineapple?

Yes, if you don’t like pineapple, orange juice is also very good with ham. You can also use apple cider.

Plated Slow Cooker Spiral Ham with layers cascading forward.

Crockpot Spiral Ham

4.97 from 97 votes
Crockpot Ham sweetened with maple and brown sugar is a favorite for holidays, Sundays and more! This spiral ham is never dry, always flavorful, always a hit.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 20

Video

Equipment

  • Crockpot

Ingredients

  • 1 8-10 pound spiral-cut ham (boneless ham or bone-in ham)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1 cup pineapple juice

Instructions

  • Remove ham from packaging and place in a large (7+ quart) slow cooker. Discard glaze packets (if any). Place ham flat-side down in the slow cooker, but if it doesn't fit, ham can be placed on its side so the lid can close.
    Slow Cooker with a whole Spiral Ham.
  • Generously rub with brown sugar all over the ham. Pour maple syrup and pineapple juice over the ham.
    Slow Cooker with brown sugar on top of a Spiral Ham.
  • Add lid and cook for 2-3 hours on low heat. 
    Lid covering a Crockpot with Spiral Ham inside.
  • Stir juices and spoon over the ham. Cook on low for an additional 30 minutes.
    Spoon with juices of Spiral Ham in the Crockpot.
  • Remove ham from slow cooker, place it on a serving platter, and serve!
    Plated Slow Cooker Spiral Ham with layers cascading forward.

Notes

  • Heating the ham in the crockpot saves oven space for side dishes and rolls and allows the meat to simmer in the glorious sauce.
  • Another benefit of using the Crockpot is that it doesn’t dry out the ham. The ham stays tender and flavorful. 
  • Not a fan of pineapple juice? Try apple cider or orange juice instead.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 76kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.02gSaturated Fat: 0.003gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.005gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 0.03mgSodium: 5mgPotassium: 50mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 0.1mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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4.97 from 97 votes (60 ratings without comment)

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Comments

    1. We have not tried it that way, so I can’t say for sure. In my experience, electric roaster ovens cook a lot faster than crock pots.

  1. 5 stars
    This sounds delicious. This week I will receive my crockpot and cannot wait to try cooking this ham in it.

  2. 5 stars
    Trying this for Easter! Sounds delicious and easy! This may be a silly question but I bought a spiral sliced hickory smoked honey ham that is pre-cooked. Will this recipe work for this or would you recommend any adjustments or as is? Would I still do the same amount of time in the crockpot if the ham is fully pre-cooked?

  3. Would love to make this for Easter. Do you think I could use can use a ham that is not a spiral? Maybe cook longer in the crockpot?

  4. 5 stars
    I love the sweet, salty, and savory flavors of this ham. And cooking it in the crock pot makes it that much easier. Just set it and forget it.

  5. I have also used Pepsi in substitution for the pineapple juice. Trying this way today. Should be as good as ever. Yum!

    1. I’m so glad you liked it! It does make holiday meal prep so much easier. Thank you for the 5-stars!

  6. 5 stars
    This is a great way to make ham! It turns out so full of flavor and it couldn’t be any easier. Love it!

    1. I usually find it at the grocery store in the meat department. Sometimes Costco or Sam’s Club will have them as well!

    1. Fresh pineapple contains an enzyme that breaks down protein. It will mess with the texture of the ham.

  7. 5 stars
    This is the only way we will cook a ham it is so good it is especially good for ham sandwiches afterwards. The only thing that will make this sandwich better is if it’s on a Filipino pandesal roll

  8. 5 stars
    This is my first time i cooking a small ham in slowcooker.and will try out the glaze.cant wait how it turns out.thanks wish me luck

    1. I would check it after one hour, and go from there. The purpose is to warm the ham through since it is already cooked. So, whenever the ham is warm to the center, you are good to go!

        1. 5 stars
          This has been my “go to” ham recipe for the last two years. I also smeared a thin layer of Dijon on the skin before adding the other ingredients. So tasty and easy. I have never been a “ham fan” nut you converted me. Thanks so much for sharing. Merry Christmas everyone !

  9. 5 stars
    So wonderful to be able to make this in the slow cooker – really easy and frees up valuable oven space, for sure! And I love that this recipe has both brown sugar and maple flavor – YUM! Happy holidays, ladies!

  10. 5 stars
    Thank you for helping me cook my first Thanksgiving day ever 🙂 Your instructions are very easy to follow.Have a Happy Thanksgiving 🙂

  11. I only had a 8lb. spiral ham but when I put it in my large oval crock pot the lid did not fit on it properly because of the bone..still going to use it since the ham is already cooked. Hopefully I am not the only one with this issue 🙂 Thanks for your time sharing!

  12. fo you or can you add the pineapple chunks in it also? i see a pic with them in but not in directions. if so do ypu add them for the whole time or later in the process?

  13. 4 stars
    I made this for Christmas, following the recipe with a 10-lb spiral sliced ham. There was way too much juice, and my ham ended up quite soggy. It was quite tasty, but didn’t look so good, and basically fell apart as we tried to take it out. Next time I will cut the amount of pineapple juice and maple syrup.

    1. I know from family experience that any meat cooked in the crock pot SHOULD fall off the bone. That’s usually a sign that its fully cooked and delicious.

    1. No, a honey glazed ham will work fine. If you are worried about it being too sweet, you can reduce the brown sugar and maple syrup to 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/3 cup maple syrup. Thanks for asking!

    1. I usually use canned, but I don’t see why not! You would just need to add more juices since the canned kind comes with juices.

  14. I am SO excited about making my Christmas ham in my crock pot! My son was judt telling me hr went to dinner at a friend’s house and they had a crockpot cooked ham. Said it was the most tender, juicy, flavorful ham he’d ever eaten. So I went “surfing” and came across your recipe. Sounds delicious, without the endless oven basting and cleanup. Thank you so much. I will be sure to let you know how it comes out. Also, I found it very helpful to read the Q&A … any question I had was answered in that section. So, kudos to you for such a great website. All bases covered! Thanks again. 😊

    1. Yes! You can use water and the ham juices that are in the ham packaging. You can also use sugar-free juices. As long as there is some liquid in the slow cooker, the ham will be delicious and moist.

  15. 5 stars
    How long should it cook in a oven? At what temperature? And what temp. on a thermometer? It’s a 10lb. spiral cut ham.

    1. Cook it in the oven for 20 minutes per pound of ham at 325 degrees. The internal temperature should reach 140 degrees. Thanks for asking!

  16. I always buy a pre cooked bone in half ham, not spiral sliced. Usually
    7-8 lbs. Would your recipe work? Anything I need to know?

    1. This recipe is for a spiral ham, so I can’t speak to how it would affect the taste or texture to use a different ham. Let us know how it works if you do use it!

    1. Yes, it will still work. If you cook the ham whole, increase the cooking time to 3-4 hours depending on the size of your ham. It would also work great to slice your ham and then heat it in the crock pot/slow cooker. This will give more flavor and moisture to each slice. Thanks for asking! Good luck!

  17. 5 stars
    This made an amazing ham! I have never made one and who knew it was so easy and flavorful! I did susubstitute orange juice for the pineapple juice since that is what I had on hand.

  18. 5 stars
    Making this for Thanksgiving today, it smells amazing, can’t wait to try it! Thanks for the recipe & Happy Thanksgiving!

        1. For this recipe you use 1 cup (8oz) of canned pineapple juice. You can use pineapple juice from a can of pineapple or just the straight-up pineapple juice in a can. Hope this helps!

  19. Hi, I want to cook my
    Ham in the crockpot. I’ve always made it in the oven but am not going to have the space this time. Does it come out similar to the way it cooks in the oven? I always have such great reviews for my ham, I’m apprehensive cooking it in the crockpot.

    1. We absolutely love the way this ham comes out! I can’t tell a difference between it and the oven. I hope it goes well for you!

  20. 5 stars
    My mother in law gave me a 10ib double glazed bone in, spiral cut, ham but I don’t believe it’s pre-cooked…. can I still use this recipe?

    1. This recipe is only for pre-cooked ham. You would probably have to adjust the cooking time quite a bit.

    1. Yes, if it is smoked that means it was cooked. I would still always use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the meat to see when it is done.

    1. With this recipe you are really just warming the meat since it is already cooked. Maybe start with 2 hours and check it with a meat thermometer until it reaches the desired temperature. Hope this helps!

  21. 5 stars
    I am trying this for the first time today….I did not realize my ham was so tall. my lid does not fit….so I have covered the top with aluminum foil to act as the cover will this work do you think?

    thanks

    1. Yes, that should work fine and I do this all the time. Cover it tightly with foil and it will work like a dream. Hope this helps!

    2. 5 stars
      I wish I would have read this! I just took a hammer and Screwdriver to the bone so I could split it in half!

  22. I have a frozen ham that will be done with this recipe. What is the suggested time in the crockpot?

    1. Will you have time to thaw it first? The only problem from going very cold to hot is that the meat can become tough. You can try cooking it on low for a longer amount of time but we haven’t ever done it this way so I can’t tell you for sure. If you try it let us know how it turns out!

  23. Just wondering A lot of the other recipes I’m reading say to cook for six or seven hours on low but you are says 2 to 3 ?

    1. Honestly I think that 6-7 hours is too long. It is already pre-cooked, you just need to warm it. I REALLY don’t like my ham dried out and I think when it cooks for so long it makes it too dry. Totally my opinion though.

      1. Thanks for the suggestion to use honey instead! I have a jar of honey but was going to make a run to the grocery to buy maple syrup. You just saved me a trip! 🙂

  24. 5 stars
    Great recipe for Sunday dinner! My husband and son gave it five stars because it is flavorful, moist and tasty. I always use this to avoid overheating the kitchen. A few simple sides make a complete and delicious dinner without hours of kitchen prep.

    1. So glad you liked this so much! And yes, you can’t beat how EASY it is, right?? My husband loves that it doesn’t get dry like most ham dinners.

  25. This looks so good. I always have a problem with spiral hams getting warm all the way through. Does this come out warm? I tried another recipe but our ham came out like jerky. Thanks!

  26. This looks delicious. Question, do you mix the juice and syrup together prior to pouring over the ham or are they drizzled on separately? Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    1. You can do it either way, just for simplicity’s sake we usually just pour it all on separately. Hope this helps!

        1. You can use apple juice or canned mandarin oranges as a substitute in this recipe. I hope that helps!

      1. 5 stars
        I made this for our family for the last 3 years and we all love it. It is simply and delicious. I choose to add fresh pineapple. Thank you so much! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

        1. I am so glad you guys enjoyed it! Pineapple sounds like a delicious addition! Thanks for the 5-star rating!

        2. 4 stars
          I tried this and used fresh pineapple juice rather than canned. I combined everything in crockpot and drove an hour to my Dad’s where I plugged it in and started heating. After 1 hr on high and 4 hrs on low, the pot was full of juice and the meat was mostly mush. Flavor was good but texture, icky! Was this because of using fresh vs already canned pineapple juice? Are there enzymes in pineapple that digest protein?!

          1. It actually does. The enzyme contained in fresh pineapple breaks down the amino acid bonds in proteins. That is why people recommend eating fresh pineapple after a large protein meal (like Thanksgiving dinner) to help digestion. Also, the recommended cooking time for this recipe is 2-3 hours on low. Thank you for sharing your experience. I will make a note on the recipe to not use fresh pineapple juice for future reference.

      2. I have. 7 quart slow cooker. The shape of my ten pound spiral ham makes it a tight fit in the slow cooker, . Could I replace the lid with aluminum foil so it doesn’t touch the top of the slow cooker lid? Please let me know. This is for Easter dinner and will keep my oven free to cook other things, Thank you,

        1. Yes, you can absolutely cover with foil! Sometimes I will cover with foil and then lightly just place the lid over the top just so it holds in that heat a little better. Hope this helps!

        2. What can I use in place of the pineapple juice. I’m panicking one of my guests is allergic to pineapple.

          Thank you,
          judy

          1. You could probably get away with orange juice, it would give it a different taste but it will still be good!

          2. Apple Cider is a fantastic substitution…. and it pairs well with the brown sugar and Maple