Okay, so you know how sometimes the holidays feel like a whirlwind? So much to do, so little time! Well, listen, I’ve got the BEST solution for at least one of those mealtime challenges: **Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham**! Seriously, it’s a total game-changer. This recipe makes the most incredibly flavorful and tender ham, and the best part? It’s practically hands-off. You just toss everything in the slow cooker, and *boom* – a show-stopping meal with minimal effort.
I swear, every year, my family practically *begs* for this ham. It’s become a tradition, you know? My grandma started making a similar ham for Easter back in the day, and it’s always been a special treat. Now, I make this easy **Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham** for all sorts of celebrations, and it never disappoints!
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham
Okay, so let me tell you why I think you’re gonna fall head-over-heels for this recipe. First off, it’s super easy! Seriously, anyone can make this. Then, the flavor? Absolutely incredible! The ham is unbelievably tender, falling-apart soft, and that honey glaze? Wow! Plus, it’s perfect for holidays or any get-together. Minimal effort equals maximum deliciousness. You’ll thank me later!
Ingredients You’ll Need for Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Don’t you worry, it’s nothing crazy. You’ll need a big ol’ 1 (8-10 pound) fully cooked ham – gotta get a good one! Then, for the magic glaze, grab 1 cup of honey (the real stuff, you know?), 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, which adds such yummy depth of flavor, 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard – trust me, it’s perfect, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (a little tang!), and finally, 1 teaspoon of ground cloves for that cozy, holiday spice. Easy peasy!
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham
Okay, ready to get cooking? Don’t worry, it’s seriously easy. The heart of the recipe is this amazing **Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham**, and I’m gonna walk you through every single step. Just follow along, and you’ll have a gorgeous ham in no time. Promise!
Preparing the Ham for the Slow Cooker
First up, grab your slow cooker! Now, the recipe says to use a 8-10 pound ham. Just make sure your ham is *fully cooked* – that’s super important! Now, carefully place that glorious ham right into your slow cooker. If your ham is a little too big (sometimes they are!), don’t freak out! You might need to trim it a bit so the lid can close properly. No biggie!
Making the Honey Glaze
Next up, let’s make that AMAZING honey glaze. Grab a small bowl – you can even use a measuring cup for this, if you want to keep dishes to a minimum! Measure out your 1 cup of honey (sticky, but worth it!), your 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, the Dijon mustard, the apple cider vinegar, and the cloves. Then just whisk it all together until everything is nice and combined and the flavors start to get friendly. That’s it!
Cooking the Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham
Now, pour that beautiful glaze all over your ham in the slow cooker. Make sure you get every inch of it coated – that’s where the magic is! Put the lid on. Cook it on low for 3-4 hours. Every hour, open that lid and baste the ham with the glaze. Don’t skip this, it really helps lock in moisture and flavor. You’ll know it’s ready when the ham is heated through and the glaze has thickened up a bit. Woohoo!
Resting and Serving Your Ham
Okay, once the cooking time’s up, you’re almost there! Carefully take the ham out of the slow cooker and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This lets all those delicious juices redistribute, making it extra juicy! Serve it up with some mashed potatoes, green beans, or whatever sides make you happy. Enjoy!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for the Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham
Okay, let’s chat about the ingredients. I always get questions about substitutions, so here’s the lowdown! First, the ham. I know it seems obvious, BUT make sure it’s *fully cooked* already. Save yourself the stress! You can usually find great-quality pre-cooked hams at the grocery store. For the honey, please, pretty please, use *real* honey! It makes all the difference in the world. If you don’t have honey, you *could* try maple syrup, but the flavor will be different. For the Dijon mustard, regular yellow mustard just won’t cut it. It won’t give you that delicious tang. Brown sugar is also pretty important – it adds depth! Seriously, don’t skip these or your **Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham** won’t be the same!
Tips for a Perfect Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham
Okay, so you want to make sure your **Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham** is absolutely perfect, right? Here’s my little cheat sheet for ham greatness! First, the ham itself. Try to get a bone-in ham – I think they have way more flavor. When you’re picking it out, see if you can give it a little sniff (if the store allows!). It should smell fresh and, well, hammy! Make sure your slow cooker is big enough to fit the ham comfortably. A too-small slow cooker will mean uneven cooking, and a too-big one? Well, it just won’t be as efficient. Also, if your glaze seems too thin at the end, pop the ham out and let the glaze cook in the slow cooker for an extra 15-20 minutes, with the lid off, until it thickens a bit. Yum!
Make-Ahead and Freezer Tips for Honey Glazed Ham
Okay, so you’re the queen (or king!) of meal prep, right? Me too! Good news, my friend – this **Honey Glazed Ham** is super make-ahead friendly. You can totally whip up the glaze a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge. That way, when it’s ham time, it’s just a matter of assembling and letting the slow cooker work its magic! As for leftovers, freeze them! Slice the ham, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It’ll last for a couple of months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before you want to reheat it. Easy peasy!
Serving Suggestions to Complement Your Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham
Okay, so your ham is cooked to perfection, and now you need some sides, right? Don’t even worry, I got you covered! For a classic holiday vibe, you can’t go wrong with creamy mashed potatoes (extra butter, please!), some sweet and savory green bean casserole, and maybe a colorful, fresh salad to balance things out. But, if you’re feeling adventurous, try some cheesy scalloped potatoes and roasted asparagus. Honestly, the options are endless, and you can’t go wrong!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Honey Glazed Ham
Okay, so you’ve got this glorious, perfectly cooked **Honey Glazed Ham**. But, what to do with the leftovers? Don’t worry, we’re not wasting anything here! First, let the ham cool completely. Then, slice or cube it up, and pop it into an airtight container or zip-top bag. The fridge is your friend here – it’ll stay good for about 3-4 days. This keeps everything safe and sound!
For reheating, I recommend a couple of options. To keep it moist (because dry ham is a tragedy!), put slices in a skillet with a tiny splash of water or some of the glaze, and gently warm them over medium-low heat. You can also reheat it in the oven at a low temperature (around 325°F or 160°C), maybe tented with foil to trap the moisture. That keeps it juicy and delicious!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham
Okay, so real quick: the nutritional info below is just an estimate, alright? It’s based on average values and could totally change depending on what brands you use, how big your ham is, and all that jazz. Always good to double-check if you’re keeping close track!
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Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 min
- Yield: 10 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
Make a delicious honey-glazed ham in your slow cooker. This recipe is easy to follow and results in a tender, flavorful ham.
Ingredients
- 1 (8-10 pound) fully cooked ham
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Place the ham in your slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and ground cloves.
- Pour the glaze over the ham, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the ham is heated through and the glaze has thickened. Baste the ham with the glaze every hour.
- Remove the ham from the slow cooker and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a can of pineapple chunks to the slow cooker.
- If your ham is too large for your slow cooker, you can trim it to fit.
- Leftover ham can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
