How to Make Ree's Favorite Glazed Ham in a Slow Cooker (2024)

I love a good holidayham, especially when a big food holiday rolls around like Easter dinner. Ham is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, and leftover ham recipes are just as good as eating it the first time around!While I often turn to anoven-roasted glazed hamfor holiday cooking, I came up with this new take on the classic centerpiece that's even easier: a slow cooker ham! Not only will it free up space in your oven for all those Easter side dishes,but cooking your ham in the slow cooker allows all the juices to stay in one place sothe ham turns out extra moist and flavorful. That's a win-win!

You've probably been using a slow cooker to make set-and-forget dishes—but if you've never tried cooking a holiday ham in one, you've been missing out on one of the best entertaining secrets. Imagine the star of your Easter feast being practically hands-free!Most hams you buy at the grocery store are pre-cooked, so cooking the ham really just means warming it through.Simply calculate how much ham you need per person, and you're set. But don't skip out on thebeautiful glaze. My sweet and tangyglaze recipe below is made with her favorite soda: Dr Pepper!

What kind of ham is best for slow cooker ham?

Choose a fully-cooked, bone-in ham that isn't spiral cut for this recipe. Non-spiral cut hams tend to stay juicier, and they're easy to carve yourself.

Can you overcook ham in the slow cooker?

Slow cookers may cook low and slow, but you can still overcook just about anything in one. Keep in mind that you're starting with a fully cooked ham, so all you're reallydoing in the slow cooker is reheating it. A5- to 7-pound ham will take five to six hours to fully heat in a Crock-Pot. Cook it too much longer, and the ham could start to dry out.

Do you cook ham on low or high in a slow cooker?

As with many slow cookerrecipes, low and slow is the name of the game. Five to six hours in a slow cooker set to low allows the ham to heat slowly and evenly,without a chance ofdrying out. It also gives time for all the sweet soda and zippy glaze to really sink in.

Do you put liquid in with ham?

Yes, liquid is essential for a juicy Crock-Pot ham! My liquid of choice? Good ol' Dr Pepper, of course! The soda, along with the tangy mustard, brown sugar,and vinegar glaze,adds some sticky-sweetness that every holiday ham deserves.Coca-Cola works great, too.

Can you use diet soda for slow cooker ham?

Sure! Diet Dr Pepper or Diet Coca-Cola will work just fine in this recipe. The end result may taste slightly less sweet, but it'll still be delicious.

Can you make the glaze ahead of time?

Absolutely.You can make the glaze a day ahead and refrigerate it until you're ready to cook the ham. This is a genius way to save time and effort when preparing a holiday meal on the big day!

How do you heat a fully cooked ham in the slow cooker?

Making a ham in a slow cooker couldn't be easier. Remember, it's already fully cooked so you just need to heat it through. Stud the ham with cloves, brush with a glaze, and add to your slow cooker with some liquid. It cooks slowly andgets a second glaze for good measure.

Will ham dry out in the slow cooker?

Keeping moisture around the ham is super important so that it doesn't dry out. If you're cooking the ham in the oven, you can cover it with foil until the very end, but in the slow cooker you don't have to worry about it drying out. The slow cooker lid will help keep all the moisture in.

Can you cook dry meat in the slow cooker?

You don't need to add liquid to the slow cooker if you are cooking a meat like hamthat has a good amount of moisture. But I recommend my trick for adding soda (or pop!)—it adds so much flavor.