Slow Cooker Ham

If there’s one thing I love about a big holiday like Easter, it’s putting a beautiful ham right in the center of the table. It feeds a crowd and the leftovers are almost as exciting as the main event! I usually make a classic glazed ham in the oven, but this slow cooker ham came about during one of those busy holiday cooking days when every inch of oven space was already spoken for.

Instead of competing with casseroles, dinner rolls, and scalloped potatoes for oven time, the ham gently warms in the slow cooker while everything else bakes away. Even better, it cooks in its own juices, so the meat stays incredibly tender and flavorful.

Since most hams at the grocery store are already fully cooked, all you really need to do is heat it through. Just plan on the right size ham for your guest list and let the slow cooker do the rest. And don’t skip the glaze—it’s sweet, tangy, and made with a splash of soda that gives it that shiny, sticky finish everyone loves.

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 heat more evenly. Plus, they're easy to carve yourself!

What size ham is best to cook in the slow cooker?

You don't want to buy a ham that's too large for your slow cooker! Aim for a ham that's between five and seven pounds if you have a standard six- to seven-quart slow cooker.

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

For the best results, cook ham on low in the slow cooker. Heating it low and slow—about 5 to 6 hours—allows the ham to warm through gently and evenly, which helps keep it tender and juicy instead of drying out. The longer cook time also gives the sweet soda and tangy glaze plenty of time to soak into the ham, adding even more flavor.

Do you put liquid in with ham?

Yes, liquid is essential for a juicy slow cooker ham! My liquid of choice? Good ol' Dr Pepper, of course! The soda, along with the mustard, brown sugar, and vinegar glaze, adds the sticky sweetness that every holiday ham deserves. If you don't have Dr Pepper on hand, Coca-Cola works great, too. Just don't use the diet variety, you need the sugar in the soda to create the sticky glaze!

Does ham need to be submerged in a slow cooker?

No, it doesn't have to be submerged in liquid; you just need some liquid in the bottom of the slow cooker so the ham stays juicy and doesn't dry out.

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 an easy way to save time and effort when preparing a holiday meal on the big day!

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 helps keep all the moisture in.

How long does leftover ham last in the fridge?

Place your leftover ham in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Check out some of my favorite leftover ham recipes for inspiration on how to use it all up!