If you’re on the hunt for a tender, flavorful, and utterly comforting dish, this Slow Cooker Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe is going to become your new go-to. Imagine a beautifully cooked ham, slow-cooked to perfection with a luscious glaze made from brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and bright pineapple juice. The sweet and tangy pineapple glaze seeps into every bite, creating a dish that is both nostalgic and refreshing. Whether it’s a holiday feast or a Sunday family dinner, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a mouthwatering centerpiece that everyone will rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on a handful of straightforward but essential ingredients, each playing a vital role in balancing sweetness, acidity, and richness to achieve that perfect harmony of flavors and textures.
- Bone-in ham (5-7 lbs): The star of the show, providing juicy, tender meat that absorbs the glaze beautifully.
- Brown sugar (1 cup): Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness that complements the savory ham.
- Honey (1/2 cup): Brings natural floral sweetness and helps create a sticky, shiny glaze.
- Dijon mustard (1/4 cup): Offers a subtle tang and a little kick to balance the sugars perfectly.
- Pineapple juice (1 cup, 100% juice): Brightens the glaze with tropical acidity and a fresh, fruity note that makes this recipe truly special.
How to Make Slow Cooker Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Ham
Place your slow cooker on a stable surface and unwrap the ham carefully. Set the ham into the slow cooker flat-side down, ensuring it fits snugly without crowding the pot. This positioning helps it cook evenly and soak up the glaze as it simmers.
Step 2: Create the Pineapple Glaze
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and pineapple juice until you have a smooth, cohesive glaze. This blend of sweet and tangy ingredients is what transforms the ham into a flavorful masterpiece, packing layers of taste into every bite.
Step 3: Glaze Your Ham Generously
Pour the pineapple glaze evenly over the ham, making sure it seeps into all the nooks and crannies. Don’t be shy here — the more glaze, the better the flavor. The juices will mingle with the ham’s fat and meat during cooking, creating a deliciously caramelized finish.
Step 4: Cook Low and Slow
Cover the slow cooker and select the low heat setting. Let the ham cook for 6 to 8 hours, allowing all those flavors to meld and the meat to become tender. This gentle cooking method is perfect for breaking down the ham’s fibers without drying it out.
Step 5: Rest and Slice
Once the ham is perfectly cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This step helps the juices redistribute so that each slice is juicy and tender instead of dry.
Step 6: Serve with Extra Sauce
Slice the ham and arrange it on a platter or individual plates. Drizzle with the leftover glaze from the slow cooker for an extra boost of flavor and shine. This finishing touch ensures every bite is succulent and satisfying.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or thyme add a lovely pop of green color and a hint of fresh earthiness that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the glaze. For a festive touch, consider garnishing with pineapple rings or maraschino cherries to echo the tropical flavors in the glaze.
Side Dishes
This Slow Cooker Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe pairs wonderfully with classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, buttery green beans, or a vibrant roasted vegetable medley. For a lighter twist, a crisp garden salad with a citrus vinaigrette balances the ham’s richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your presentation up a notch by serving the ham on a wooden carving board surrounded by fresh fruit slices such as orange or pineapple for brightness. You might even repurpose the leftover glaze to brush over dinner rolls or roasted sweet potatoes for a cohesive meal experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your leftover ham fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay delicious for up to 4 days, making it perfect for easy sandwiches, salads, or quick reheated meals throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to keep the ham longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing it in the freezer. Stored correctly, the ham can last up to 2 months without losing flavor or texture. Just be sure to thaw it fully in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
For moist and tender reheating, warm slices gently in a covered baking dish with a little bit of the leftover glaze or some pineapple juice, either in the oven at 275°F or in a microwave with low power. This prevents drying out and keeps that signature pineapple glaze flavor front and center.
FAQs
Can I use a boneless ham instead of bone-in?
Absolutely! A boneless ham works well with this Slow Cooker Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe and will cook a bit faster, usually closer to 5-6 hours, but keep an eye to avoid overcooking.
Is this recipe suitable for a smoked ham?
Yes, smoked ham lends amazing depth to the dish. Since smoked ham is already flavorful, you might want to slightly reduce the cooking time to prevent it from becoming too salty or tough.
Can I use canned pineapple juice instead of fresh?
Canned pineapple juice works perfectly here, just make sure it’s 100% juice to maintain the natural sweetness and acidity critical to the glaze’s bright flavor.
How can I thicken the glaze if I want a syrupier finish?
After removing the ham, you can simmer the leftover glaze on the stovetop for 5-10 minutes to reduce it until it reaches your desired consistency for drizzling or dipping.
Is it necessary to baste the ham during cooking?
While not necessary, occasionally spooning some glaze over the ham halfway through cooking can boost flavor and help the glaze build up a rich, sticky coating, but the slow cooker does most of the work for you.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about the comforting warmth and tantalizing sweetness of the Slow Cooker Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe. It’s a recipe that feels like a big cozy hug, perfect for sharing around the table with family and friends. I hope you give it a try and make it your own little celebration of slow-cooked, flavorful goodness.
Print
Slow Cooker Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Slow Cooker Ham recipe offers a deliciously tender and flavorful ham, slowly cooked to perfection with a sweet and tangy pineapple glaze. Ideal for easy holiday meals or Sunday dinners, this method ensures juicy, succulent meat with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Ham
- 5–7 lbs bone-in ham
Glaze
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1 cup pineapple juice (100% juice)
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place your slow cooker on a stable surface. Unwrap the ham and position it flat-side down inside the slow cooker.
- Make the Glaze: In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and pineapple juice. Mix thoroughly until the glaze is smooth and well blended.
- Apply the Glaze: Generously pour the glaze over the ham, ensuring it covers all surfaces and seeps into crevices for maximum flavor penetration.
- Cook the Ham: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the ham to slowly become tender and infused with the glaze.
- Rest the Ham: When done, carefully remove the ham from the slow cooker and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This helps redistribute juices, ensuring moist slices.
- Serve: Slice the ham and arrange it on a serving platter. Drizzle with any leftover glaze or sauce from the slow cooker for added sweetness and moisture.
Notes
- Use a bone-in ham for better flavor and moisture retention.
- Adjust cooking time based on ham size; larger hams may need closer to 8 hours.
- For a caramelized finish, broil the ham slices for a few minutes after slow cooking, if desired.
- Leftover ham can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Make sure to keep the slow cooker covered while cooking to maintain optimal heat and moisture.
