Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham (Tender, Sticky, and Foolproof)
Every holiday, there’s always one dish that somehow demands oven space you don’t have — and for me, that used to be the ham. Between the turkey, the rolls, and the sides, there was no room left.
That’s when I switched to the slow cooker method, and I’m never going back.
This honey-glazed ham turns out ridiculously tender and juicy every time. The glaze melts into the meat, the kitchen smells incredible, and once you close the lid, you can walk away for hours.
It’s the ultimate low-stress holiday main — equal parts festive, easy, and impressive.
🍯 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly tender: Slow, gentle heat braises the ham so it falls apart when sliced.
- Sticky-sweet glaze: Brown sugar, honey, and Dijon caramelize into that golden, glossy coating.
- No oven space required: Free up your oven for sides, pies, or whatever chaos is happening in there.
- Holds beautifully: Leave it on Warm while you wait for those perpetually late relatives.
- Smells like the holidays: Warm cloves and honey turn your whole house into a Christmas candle.
🧂 Ingredients You’ll Need
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup honey — I use Nature Nate’s 100% Pure Honey for a smooth, floral flavor.
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard — something tangy, like Maille Dijon Originale.
- 10 whole cloves — they infuse the glaze with warmth and depth.
- 1 (8–10 lb) bone-in spiral-cut ham, fully cooked.
Optional additions for flair:
- A splash of orange juice for brightness.
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar for tangy balance.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon or allspice if you love cozy spice blends.
🥘 Equipment
You’ll need:
- A 6-quart slow cooker — I use a Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker; it’s the perfect size for up to a 10 lb ham.
- A small saucepan for simmering the glaze — a sturdy one like this Cuisinart Classic Saucepan.
- A basting brush or silicone spatula.
- A meat thermometer — I like this digital ThermoPro to check for that perfect 140°F internal temp.
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the glaze
In your saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, water, Dijon mustard, and cloves.
Simmer for 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until everything is smooth and fragrant.
Remove the cloves before pouring it over the ham — they’ve done their job flavor-wise.
2. Prep the ham
Place the spiral-cut ham in your slow cooker. If it doesn’t fit perfectly, set it on its side or trim a small piece off the top.
Gently separate the slices a little with your hands so the glaze can drip between them.
3. Glaze it up
Pour the glaze slowly over the ham, coating as much as you can. Don’t stress about coverage — the glaze will settle into the bottom and keep basting it as it cooks.
4. Slow cook it
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, basting every hour if you remember (no pressure).
If your ham is larger, lean closer to the 5-hour mark.
It’s done when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F. The glaze should look syrupy and sticky — like honeyed amber.
5. Rest and serve
Turn the slow cooker to Warm and let the ham sit for 15–20 minutes before slicing.
Spoon the thickened glaze from the bottom over each slice before serving.
For an extra glossy finish, brush the top with more honey right before serving. It’s a small step that makes it look straight out of a magazine.
🧠 Pro Tips for Perfect Ham
- Buy the right size: 8–10 lb is the sweet spot for a 6-quart slow cooker. If your ham’s bigger, ask your butcher to trim it or cut off a section to save for later.
- Bone-in matters: The bone adds flavor and keeps the ham moist. Plus, you can use it later for split pea soup.
- Don’t skip the Dijon: It’s the secret to cutting through the sweetness of honey and sugar — that tang keeps everything balanced.
- Low and slow only: High heat dries out the ham. Resist the urge to speed it up.
- Glaze science: Sugar caramelizes around 320°F, but in the slow cooker, it’s more of a “slow reduction.” Stirring occasionally keeps it silky instead of grainy.
🕒 Make-Ahead & Storage
- Make ahead: The glaze can be prepped up to 3 days ahead and kept in the fridge. Just reheat gently before using.
- Leftovers: Store sliced ham in its juices in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Reheat: Warm slices gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to bring back moisture — or cover and reheat in the oven at 300°F.
- Freeze: Ham freezes great for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge.
🍽️ What to Serve With It
Make it a full spread:
- Mashed Potatoes — creamy and perfect for soaking up glaze.
- Cheesy Baked Asparagus or green beans for a crisp contrast.
- Parker House Rolls — the perfect vehicle for leftover ham sandwiches.
- Bourbon-Glazed Carrots or mashed sweet potatoes for that cozy sweetness.
🎁 Serving & Gifting Ideas
If you’re hosting, keep the ham warm right in your slow cooker (just switch to Warm).
If you’re bringing it to someone’s house, transport it in your Crock-Pot travel bag to keep it secure and hot.
Leftovers? Pack small jars of glaze with sliced ham as edible gifts — simple, personal, and guaranteed to disappear faster than cookies.