The Best Slow Cooker Glazed Ham (An Easy Holiday Meal!)

The Slow Cooker Ham That Will Win You the Holiday

Let’s talk about the great Holiday Oven Space War. It’s a brutal, high-stakes battle where the turkey is fighting for territory against the rolls, the sweet potato casserole is staging a coup, and the green bean casserole is caught in the crossfire. But what if I told you there was a way to declare a ceasefire? A way to create one of the most delicious, juicy, and impressive slow-cooker holiday meals you’ve ever had, all while freeing up your oven for more important things (like, you know, a second pie)?

My friends, meet your new secret weapon: the Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Balsamic Glazed Ham. This is the recipe that lets you reclaim your holiday. It’s a show-stopping centerpiece that requires about 10 minutes of active work and then cooks itself to tender, juicy perfection while you do literally anything else. You get all of the glory with none of the stress. It’s not cheating; it’s just being smart.

Why This is the Smartest Way to Cook a Holiday Ham

The number one reason this recipe is pure genius is that it completely frees up your oven. While everyone else is juggling baking sheets and timers, your main course is happily doing its thing on the countertop. This is a strategic advantage that cannot be overstated during the chaos of holiday cooking.

Second, it’s the most foolproof method for a perfectly moist and flavorful ham. Say goodbye to dry, sad holiday ham forever. The slow cooker creates a steamy, gentle environment that heats the pre-cooked ham through while infusing every single slice with the sweet, tangy, and savory flavors of the brown sugar balsamic glaze. It’s tender, juicy, and absolutely packed with flavor, every single time.

The Simple (But Spectacular) Ingredient List

An overhead shot of the simple ingredients for a brown sugar balsamic ham glaze.

You don’t need a million ingredients to create a masterpiece. Just a few simple things come together for a truly magical glaze.

1 (7-9 lb) Bone-In, Spiral-Cut Ham: Crucially, it must fit in your slow cooker! A boneless ham will also work.
1 cup (200g) Packed Brown Sugar: Light or dark is fine.
½ cup (120ml) Balsamic Vinegar:
⅓ cup (80ml) Dijon Mustard: It adds a fantastic tangy depth that cuts the sweetness.
¼ cup (60ml) Honey or Maple Syrup:
¼ tsp Ground Cloves or Allspice: For that classic holiday warmth.

Tools & Kitchen Gadgets Used

Your most under-appreciated kitchen appliance is about to become the holiday MVP.

A Large Oval Slow Cooker (6-quarts or larger): This is absolutely essential. A round one likely won’t fit a ham of this size. Measure your slow cooker insert before you buy your ham!
Small Mixing Bowl: For whisking up your glorious glaze.
Whisk:
Basting Brush or Large Spoon: For getting that glaze into every nook and cranny.
Large Baking Sheet (optional): If you want to do the final broiling step for a crispy crust.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Easiest Holiday Main Ever

Ready to outsource your main course to an electrical appliance and take all the credit? Let’s do it.

H3: The 10-Minute Prep

Check the Fit: This sounds silly, but it’s the most important step. Take your ham out of the packaging and make sure it actually fits inside your slow cooker insert. If it’s a little too tall, you can sometimes trim a small piece off the bottom to make it work.
Make the Glaze: In your small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, and ground cloves. Whisk until the brown sugar is mostly dissolved and the glaze is smooth.
Glaze and Set: Place the ham, cut-side down, into the slow cooker. Pour about half of the glaze all over the top of the ham. Use your basting brush or the back of a spoon to gently separate the slices and get some of that delicious glaze down into the middle of the ham.

H3: The “Set It and Forget It” Part

Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours. Remember, the ham is already cooked; you are simply heating it through and infusing it with flavor. Don’t be tempted to cook it on high unless you’re in a major time crunch.
The Final Baste: About 30 minutes before you plan to serve, pour the remaining half of the glaze over the ham. Use a spoon to scoop up the juices from the bottom of the slow cooker and baste the top of the ham. Cover and let it finish cooking.

H3: The Optional (But Awesome) Crispy Finish

Get Ready to Broil: For a beautiful, bubbly, caramelized crust, carefully transfer the hot ham from the slow cooker to a foil-lined baking sheet.
Final Glaze and Broil: Spoon some of the extra glaze and juices from the bottom of the slow cooker all over the ham. Place it under your oven’s broiler for 2-5 minutes, watching it very carefully, until the glaze is bubbly and slightly caramelized. Do not walk away, as the sugar can burn in an instant!
Rest and Serve: Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving with the extra juices from the slow cooker.

Calories & Nutritional Info

A close-up of a juicy slice of slow-cooker glazed ham, showing the glossy finish and tender meat.

Here’s a rough estimate per standard serving of ham.

Calories: Approximately 300-400 kcal (including glaze)
Fat: 15-20g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 25g

(Disclaimer: It’s glazed holiday ham. Let’s not get too caught up in the numbers. Enjoy the feast!)

Common Mistakes to Avoid (For a Perfect Ham)

Don’t let these simple errors stand between you and a juicy, perfect centerpiece.

Buying a Ham That’s Too Big: I cannot stress this enough. There is no feeling of defeat quite like realizing on holiday morning that your main course doesn’t fit in your cooking vessel. Measure your slow cooker before you go shopping!
Overcooking the Ham: Remember, spiral-cut hams are already fully cooked. You are just reheating them. Cooking it for 8 hours on low will result in a dry, stringy texture, even in the slow cooker. Stick to the 3-4 hour window.
Forgetting to Baste: That final basting during the last 30 minutes is key to building up a thick, glossy layer of glaze on the outside of the ham. Don’t skip it!
Walking Away from the Broiler: If you choose to do the final broil, you must watch it like a hawk. The sugar in the glaze can go from perfectly caramelized to a burnt, smoky tragedy in less than 30 seconds.

Variations & Customizations

This glaze is a fantastic starting point. Feel free to customize it!

Classic Pineapple & Cherry: A retro classic for a reason! Swap the balsamic vinegar for ½ cup of pineapple juice and stud the outside of the ham with pineapple rings and maraschino cherries held in place with whole cloves.
Spicy Maple-Sriracha: Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar and add 2-3 tablespoons of sriracha to the glaze for an addictive sweet and spicy kick.
Apple Cider & Mustard Glaze: Replace the balsamic vinegar with apple cider and use a coarse, grainy mustard instead of Dijon for a more rustic, autumnal flavor.

FAQ: Your Slow Cooker Holiday Questions, Answered

Let’s clear up some common questions about this holiday hack.

1. Do I need to add any other liquid to the slow cooker?

Nope! The ham will release its own juices as it warms up, which will combine with the glaze to create a delicious sauce at the bottom.

2. How do I know when the ham is done?

Since it’s already cooked, you’re just looking for it to be heated through. The internal temperature should reach 140°F (60°C) on an instant-read thermometer.

3. Can I use a boneless ham?

Yes, a boneless spiral-cut ham works great. The cooking time will be about the same; just start checking the temperature on the earlier side.

4. What size slow cooker do I really need?

A 6-quart oval slow cooker is the minimum size that will comfortably fit a 7-9 pound ham. A larger, 8-quart model gives you even more flexibility. A round slow cooker will likely not work.

5. Can I cook this on the HIGH setting?

You can if you’re in a time crunch, but it’s not ideal. Cook it on HIGH for about 2-2.5 hours. The low and slow method yields a more tender and juicy result.

6. My glaze seems thin. What do I do?

The juices at the bottom of the slow cooker make a fantastic sauce to serve with the ham. If you want it thicker, you can pour the liquid into a saucepan and simmer it on the stove for 5-10 minutes to reduce it down into a thicker glaze.

7. What do I do with the leftover ham bone?

Don’t throw it out! The ham bone is packed with flavor and is the perfect base for a future soup, like a split pea and ham soup or a hearty bean soup.

Final Thoughts

You are now in possession of the ultimate holiday hosting secret. This Slow Cooker Glazed Ham is your ticket to a stress-free, impressive, and outrageously delicious main course. Go forth, free up your oven, and actually enjoy your holiday for once. You’ve earned it.