Description
Succulent crock pot brown sugar ham with pineapple brings Southern comfort to your holiday table with minimal effort. Juicy ham glazed in sweet brown sugar and tangy pineapple will make guests crave seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 6-8 pounds (2.7–3.6 kilograms) fully cooked spiral-cut ham
Sweet Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup (200 grams) brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) honey
- 1 can (20 ounces / 567 grams) pineapple slices, with juice reserved
Seasoning and Optional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- Fresh rosemary or thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Position the succulent ham in the slow cooker, ensuring the flat side faces downward. Carefully trim if necessary to accommodate the crock pot’s dimensions, potentially using foil to cover the top if the ham extends beyond the vessel.
- Craft a luxurious glaze by whisking together rich brown sugar, golden honey, zesty Dijon mustard, warming cinnamon, and aromatic cloves in a mixing bowl. Generously massage this fragrant mixture across the entire ham surface, paying special attention to penetrating between spiral-cut sections.
- Artfully layer vibrant pineapple slices atop the glazed ham, securing with toothpicks if required. Cascade the reserved pineapple juice over the meat to enhance moisture and intensify the tropical flavor profile.
- Seal the crock pot and initiate the slow-cooking process. For a gentle approach, cook on low temperature for 4-6 hours or alternatively on high for 2-3 hours. Periodically baste the ham with accumulated juices to maintain succulence and deepen the flavor complexity.
- Once cooking completes, carefully extract the ham from the slow cooker. Allow a brief resting period of 10 minutes to redistribute internal juices. Slice and present the ham adorned with caramelized pineapple slices, accompanied by the rich, concentrated glaze from the cooking vessel.
Notes
- Trim ham carefully to ensure it fits perfectly in the crockpot without forcing or damaging the meat.
- Use a spiral-cut ham for easier glaze penetration and more even flavor distribution throughout the meat.
- Experiment with different spices like nutmeg or ginger to customize the brown sugar glaze and create unique flavor profiles.
- For a lower sugar option, substitute brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or reduce sugar quantity while maintaining the same glazing technique.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg