Slow Cooker Glazed Ham with Pineapple

Slow Cooker Glazed Ham with Pineapple

This slow cooker glazed ham with pineapple is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table or special family dinner. The sweet and tangy glaze caramelizes beautifully while the ham cooks low and slow, creating tender, juicy meat that practically melts in your mouth. With minimal hands-on time, you can focus on preparing side dishes while this impressive main course practically cooks itself.

Ingredients

• 1 bone-in ham roast, about 5 to 7 pounds
• 1 can pineapple rings in juice, about 20 ounces
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Whole cloves for garnish, optional

Instructions

1. Place the ham roast in your slow cooker, cut side down.
2. In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, honey, ground cloves, and black pepper.
3. Pour the glaze over the ham and arrange pineapple rings on top, reserving the juice.
4. Pour the pineapple juice around the ham in the slow cooker.
5. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the ham is heated through and tender.
6. If desired, stud the ham with whole cloves for presentation.
7. Transfer to a serving platter and spoon the pan juices over the top.

Practical Tips

Tip 1: Extra Caramelization For extra caramelization, you can broil the glazed ham for 2 to 3 minutes just before serving, watching carefully so it does not burn. This adds a beautiful golden finish to the glaze.

Tip 2: Glaze Consistency If you prefer a thicker glaze, remove the ham to a platter and pour the pan juices into a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency, then drizzle over the ham.

Tip 3: Pineapple Presentation Reserve some fresh pineapple chunks to add around the ham on your serving platter for a more vibrant presentation and extra tropical flavor.

How to Store It

Leftover glazed ham keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. You can also freeze sliced ham for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in a low oven or microwave to avoid drying out the meat.

Common Questions

Can I use a ham without a bone? Yes, boneless hams work well in this recipe. You may need to reduce the cooking time slightly, so check for tenderness around the 5-hour mark.

What size slow cooker do I need? A 6 to 7-quart slow cooker is ideal for a 5 to 7-pound ham. If your cooker is smaller, choose a smaller ham or have your butcher cut it to fit.

Can I make this glaze ahead of time? Absolutely. Mix the glaze ingredients the night before and store in the refrigerator. Simply pour it over the ham when you are ready to cook.