Crockpot Baked Ham

Preparing a holiday ham can feel like a daunting task, especially when you’re juggling all the other dishes that need to go in the oven. Between timing everything perfectly and making sure there’s enough space in there, it’s enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed. That’s why I was so excited when I discovered how to make a perfectly tender ham right in my crockpot.

This baked ham recipe is a game-changer: it frees up valuable oven space, requires minimal hands-on time, and turns out juicy and flavorful every single time. Plus, the slow cooking method means you can set it and forget it while you focus on everything else that needs your attention.

What Kind of Ham Should I Use?

For this crockpot recipe, you’ll want to start with a pre-cooked, bone-in ham – either a shank or butt portion will work great. The bone adds extra flavor during the slow cooking process, and you can save it later for making soup. Most grocery stores carry two main types of ham: city ham (wet-cured) and country ham (dry-cured), but for this recipe, you’ll want to go with a city ham since it’s more common and works better for slow cooking. Look for one labeled “ready to cook” or “partially cooked” rather than “ready to eat,” as these tend to stay more moist during the cooking process. Just make sure to pick a ham that will fit in your slow cooker – you might need to trim it slightly if it’s too large.

Options for Substitutions

This simple crockpot ham recipe can be customized with several easy swaps:

• Cola: Don’t have regular cola? You can use Dr. Pepper, root beer, or even pineapple juice instead. Each will give your ham a slightly different but equally tasty flavor. Just avoid diet sodas as the artificial sweeteners don’t work well for glazing.
• Brown sugar: Regular brown sugar works best, but you can substitute with maple syrup or honey (use 1/3 cup instead). Dark brown sugar will give an even richer molasses flavor if you have that on hand.
• Dijon mustard: Yellow mustard or whole grain mustard can replace Dijon. If using yellow mustard, start with 2 teaspoons since it’s a bit stronger. You could also use honey mustard, just reduce the brown sugar by 2 tablespoons.
• Ham: While bone-in ham gives the best flavor, you can use boneless ham if needed. Just watch the cooking time as boneless hams usually cook a bit faster. Make sure to use a pre-cooked ham either way.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when cooking ham in a crockpot is adding too much liquid, which can dilute the glaze and leave you with a watery sauce – stick to just one can of cola as specified, since the ham will release its own juices during cooking.

Another common error is lifting the lid too frequently to check on the ham, as each peek lets heat escape and can add 20-30 minutes to your cooking time.

Temperature control is crucial – cooking your ham on high can dry it out quickly, so always use the low setting and aim for an internal temperature of 140°F since the ham is pre-cooked.

For the best results, baste the ham with the cooking liquid every 2 hours (but no more frequently), and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing to keep all those flavorful juices locked inside.

What to Serve With Baked Ham?

When it comes to serving baked ham, classic side dishes are always a hit at the dinner table! The sweet and savory flavors of this cola-glazed ham pair perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes or sweet potato casserole. For some green veggies, roasted asparagus or green beans with garlic butter make simple but tasty sides that balance out the rich ham. Since this recipe has a sweet glaze, I like to include some tangy dishes too – try a fresh coleslaw or roasted Brussels sprouts with a touch of balsamic vinegar. And don’t forget to grab some dinner rolls or biscuits to soak up all that delicious sauce from the crockpot!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Leftover ham is a gift that keeps on giving! Place your cooled ham in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil, then pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for 4-5 days, perfect for sandwiches, omelets, or quick dinner fixes.

Freeze: Cut your leftover ham into smaller portions before freezing – this makes it super convenient to grab just what you need. Wrap the pieces well in plastic wrap, then foil, and place in freezer bags. Your ham will keep its flavor for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Reheat: To warm up your ham without drying it out, place it in a baking dish with a splash of water or leftover cooking liquid, cover with foil, and heat at 325°F until warm. For smaller portions, a quick zap in the microwave works too – just cover the ham and heat in short intervals to keep it moist.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	240-480 minutes
Total Time	250-495 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2100-2400
• Protein: 260-300 g
• Fat: 90-110 g
• Carbohydrates: 150-180 g

Ingredients

• 5-8 pound bone-in cooked ham
• 1 can cola
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard

Step 1: Prepare the Ham and Glaze

Place the ham into the basin of a slow cooker, ensuring it fits comfortably.

In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, cola, and mustard.

Heat this mixture over high heat and bring it to a boil, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.

Once ready, pour the glaze mixture over the ham.

If the ham is pre-sliced, carefully spoon some of the glaze between the slices to enhance the flavor.

Step 2: Cook the Ham

Set the slow cooker to low and cook the ham for 6-8 hours, or if you’re short on time, set it to high and cook for 4-6 hours.

For best results, baste the ham with its cooking juices every few hours to keep it moist and flavorful.

Step 3: Slice and Serve

Once the ham is fully cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker.

Allow it to cool slightly until it can be handled safely.

Slice the ham into portions and serve while warm.

Step 4: Optional Broiling for Extra Glaze

If you are not serving the ham immediately or desire an extra glaze, preheat the broiler.

Transfer the ham to an oven-safe baking dish, then brush it with some of the leftover cooking liquid.

Broil for about 5 minutes, glazing with additional liquid as preferred, until the surface achieves a caramelized finish.

Serve the glazed ham hot.