My Best Crock Pot Ham recipe is deliciously tender, smoky, savory and just the slightest touch of sweet from that dark brown sugar and mustard glaze. Perfect, really. lol
Serving crock pot ham always makes the meal feel a little bit celebratory and yet, cooking a ham is very simple. Why on earth don’t we do it more often!!??!.
No, seriously, you guys. My [affiliate link] Slow Cooker Ham recipe is so good! This could be your Easter ham, Thanksgiving Ham, Christmas Ham or just Sunday Dinner ham.
Ham that is slow roasted in a slow cooker is tender, juicy and full of flavor. No matter when you serve it, this Crock Pot Ham recipe will make you the dinner hero!
The Ingredients
- Whole Boneless Ham
- Dark Brown Sugar (Light brown sugar works, too. I just prefer the deep, rich caramely flavor dark brown sugar brings to the brown sugar glaze.)
- Stone Ground Mustard
Buying Ham
The Cost of Ham
As proteins go, I would say ham is mid-range on price.
It’s not quite as affordable as chicken, however, it is much cheaper than ground beef, per pound.
I purchased a whole boneless ham, this week, and it was only $3.48 per lb.
It was almost 9 pounds, so of course the initial cost was more at once, than a pound of hamburger, but I will get 5 or 6 different meals from it.
That’s extremely economical to my way of thinking!
Of course the more that is done for you, prior to purchase, the higher the cost per pound. For example, boneless is more expensive than bone-in. But, about half the weight in a bone-in ham is waste and thrown away, so in real dollars for what you get, they’re about equal.
Spiral sliced ham will cost more than an unsliced one. Half hams and smaller are usually slightly more per pound than if you buy a whole ham. Decide what conveniences you want to pay for and which ones you can manage on your own.
a netted, boneless whole ham
How Much Ham To Buy for Crock Pot Ham
An eight-pound boneless ham will serve around 30 people. Especially if you are having a wide array of side dish options, too.
A bone-in ham must weigh at least 14.25 pounds to feed the same number of people.
Think about the appetites you’ll be feeding. Are there a large number of big eaters, who might need more than the average size portions or who will enjoy going back for seconds? Are there a large number of young children with small appetites? Those can both affect how much ham you will need to buy.
In general, you will need just over a quarter pound of ham per person when serving boneless ham. And, just under half a pound of ham per person should suffice when making a bone-in ham.
Boneless or Bone-In?
There is really no significant difference between bone-in and boneless hams other than the bone itself. Choose what you like best and what most easily fits your slow cooker for my Best Crock Pot Ham.
I always choose boneless ham when I’m making this Crock Pot Ham recipe. My preference is not to have to deal with all the waste from the bone and excess fat that are part of working with a whole bone-in ham.
For me, the texture and flavor are not significantly different, as long as the boneless ham is slow-cooked.
The only benefit I can see to a bone-in ham is that you would have the leftover bone at the end for making beans or soup.
To understand my preferences and why I choose boneless ham, read that section, below.
Whole Boneless Ham sliced in half.
Cooked or Uncooked Ham?
Both bone-in and boneless hams that have been cured and/or smoked can be purchased uncooked or fully cooked, already. In most cases, you will find that hams labeled “cured”, “smoked” or “baked” are already fully cooked.
The law requires uncooked ham to be plainly marked and include instructions for safe handling and proper cooking. Read your package to be sure.
Fully cooked ham can be immediately sliced thin for sandwiches (like my Ham and Cheese Sliders) or other recipes (like my Chicken Cordon Bleu). It is safe to eat with no need for further cooking.
For glazing and maximum tenderness, however, you will still want to roast or slow-cook most hams that are being served as the centerpiece of a special meal, even if they have been pre-cooked.
Any type of ham can be cooked in the oven, crock pot, or countertop roaster. Small ones can be cooked in the Instant Pot or even an air fryer.
I love the flavor of smoked ham, so that is always my first choice. But, you can definitely buy hams that aren’t smoked. Sometimes ham is labeled just country ham or cured ham.
Again, reading the packaging is critical in selecting ham and knowing how best to handle it.
Cured ham can be either cooked or uncooked. It is required by law to state whether it is fully cooked or must be cooked before serving, on the packaging.
Why I Choose Boneless Hams
My personal preference is boneless. It slices easier, cooks faster and I don’t have the fat, gristle, and bone waste of a bone-in-ham.
My guess is you could use this Crock Pot Ham recipe on a bone-in ham, but would probably need to roast it in the oven. My crock pot sure wouldn’t accommodate a whole one, anyway. Perhaps a half.
The bone-in ham will require extra work after cooking, too. You’ll want to remove the excess fat and bone before slicing it for the table. You will most likely have more drippings at the bottom of the roaster, too. Which can be great for gravy (or soup at another time).
There is no right or wrong in which ham to choose for my easy crock pot ham recipe. It is 100% a personal preference. Since mealtime is usually hectic for me, I will always choose what’s easiest for serving and cleanup. For me, that’s a boneless ham.
This delicious crock pot ham recipe will make a fabulous dinner for your family whether it’s an Easter ham or an everyday easy dinner ham. And you won’t believe the flavors from just 3 easy ingredients! Enjoy!
What Other Recipes Can I Make with Leftovers from Crock Pot Ham?
There are so many ideas for using leftover crockpot ham, that it won’t seem like leftovers at all when you’re enjoying the meals. Remember, adding meat to any side dish instantly transforms it into a meal/casserole! Think mac and cheese and stir in chopped ham and frozen peas. Instant meal!
- Ham and Cheese Frittata – Who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner? Substitute leftover crockpot ham for the Italian sausage in this frittata recipe. Serve it with Pancakes and there’ll be a stampede to your dinner table!
- Ham and Cheese Sliders – Soooo delicious!
- Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu – Substitute leftover ham for the deli ham.
- Spam Musubi Recipe – If your leftovers are from a canned ham, like Spam, try this Spam Musubi Recipe.
- Crazy Good Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
- Ham Sandwiches
- Ham and Potato Soup
- Pasta Salad with Ham
- Cheesy Ham Chowder
- Sweet Potato Hash with Ham
- Denver Omelet
- Chef Salad
- Ham and Cheese Scones
- Ham and Beans Soup
- Hawaiian Fried Rice
- Crescent Dough Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
- Cheesy Pull-Apart French Bread with Ham
- Baked Beans with Ham
- Eggs Benedict Casserole
- Cheesy Potatoes with Ham
- Wild Rice and Ham Soup
- Hawaiian Pizza
- Chicken Cordon Bleu – essentially a chicken breast stuffed with ham and cheese. Delish!
And, that’s a small list. There are so many more. An investment in a whole boneless ham nets tons of money-saving meals for the rest of the week, for lunches or for the freezer!
How to Make My Best Crock Pot Ham
Don’t blink. These instructions are short.
- Remove the netting from the outside of the ham.
- Place the ham into your crock pot / slow cooker.
- Mix the brown sugar and mustard paste and spread the brown sugar glaze over the top of the ham.
- Put the lid on your crock pot / slow cooker.
- Cook the ham on low for 6-8 hours.
Ta Da! Best Crock Pot Ham deliciousness! See this doesn’t just have to be Easter ham. This scrumptious, savory and simple ham recipe is for any time of year.
Whole boneless hams are usually “netted”. Holding everything together, after the bone has been removed, is made easier with the netting, so the ham can be smoked. You will want to take that off before you cook the ham.
Mix together the stone ground mustard and brown sugar to make a paste. Yellow mustard or even Dijon would work, too. I always have dark brown sugar in my pantry, but if yours is light that’s perfectly fine. Go for it.
Smear the mustard/brown sugar paste over the top of the ham.
As the Crock Pot Ham is cooking, the brown sugar glaze will melt and drip down the ham.
Their won’t be a massive amount of other drippings in the bottom of the slow cooker when the Crock Pot Ham is done.
It will be just enough for drizzling the delicious slices and adding a perfectly balanced sweet acidic zing to the meat’s flavor.
Three simple ingredients to Crock Pot Ham recipe perfection! I hope you get a chance to make this delicious ham. You and your family are going to love it!
And, if you do make this Crock Pot Ham recipe, I hope you’ll consider stopping back to leave me a comment and a 5 star rating. 5 star ratings help others find our recipe when they search on Google.
Plus, your comments on my best crock pot ham post makes it easier for other readers to get ideas for variations and how the recipe worked when you made it. Or even what’s great to serve it with. Thanks so much for your help!
The Recipe
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send you the link so you always have it at your fingertips. Plus, I’ll send a collection of easy recipes to your inbox every Friday!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Glenda Embree.
Best Crock Pot Ham: 3-Ingredient Simple
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 25–35 servings 1x
Description
This ham tastes too good to be such a simple recipe. But the reality is dinner couldn’t be more special, or easy, with this dish. The easy crock pot recipe makes leftovers for many, many more dishes throughout the week. The number of servings will honestly depend on all the different ways you use it. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 8–9 lb whole boneless ham
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (Light brown sugar works, too. I just prefer the deep, rich caramely flavor dark brown sugar brings to the recipe.)
- 1/2 cup stone ground mustard
Instructions
- Remove the netting from the ham and place the ham into an 8 qt crock pot.
- Mix the brown sugar and mustard to form a thick brown sugar glaze.
- Spread the brown sugar glaze over the top of the ham.
- Cover the crock pot and cook the ham on low for 6 to 8 hours.
Notes
You can sub yellow mustard or Dijon for the stone ground.
Light brown sugar can be substituted for the dark.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Dish, Meat
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
What to Serve with Crock Pot Ham
Easy Green Beans and Potatoes
Perfect Potato Salad
Easy Bean Salad
Sweet Potato Casserole
About Glenda
I believe cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated and that YOU can do it. My simple recipes, tutorials, and cooking tips will help you get weeknight dinners on the table with less stress. Forget takeout or the drive-thru. Let me show you how to make homemade easy. Read more...
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing ham recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
Thrilled that you enjoyed it, Allyssa!
love it!
Thank you, Roxanne!
Thanks for sharing this so much!
My pleasure, Camille!
This is seriously the easiest ham recipe ever! And it tastes amazing! We will be using this recipe from now on!
Jenni, thank you so much! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it!
I like simple! This 3 ingredient ham was so good and so easy. Thanks!
Thank you, Scarlet! I’m so glad you liked it.
Can this be done with a precooked bone in shank ham.
Hi Jean. Yes, I think it would be delicious! You’d need one small enough to fit your slow cooker, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.
What a delicious ham. I will save this recipe and make it for Christmas.
It will be a perfect holiday meal centerpiece, Natalie! Enjoy!
Now, THIS looks like a slow cooker ham recipe I would love! I’m obsessed with how easy it is!
Samantha, I am, too! Great to have you stop by, today!
This slow cooker ham looks delicious
It really is, Swathi. And it’s so easy, too!
I love ham and I love this recipe!
Thank you, Camille! Glad you enjoyed it!
This makes me so hungry for the holidays! Gave it a try and it was a hit with everyone!
Me, too, Paula. It is one of those recipes that makes holiday prep so much less stressful and delicious!
I love using my slow cooker – I will try this for sure!
I hope you love it, Jen! It’s one of my favorite easy recipes. Have a wonderfully blessed Christmas!