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This Holiday Ham is the centerpiece your festive table deserves! Glazed with a rich blend of Dijon mustard and brown sugar, and beautifully studded with pineapple and cherries, it’s as stunning as it is delicious.
We depend on our slow cooker during the holidays! This Holiday Ham is always a showstopper that pleases a crowd. Making it in the crockpot keeps it perfectly tender and frees up the oven for the turkey, making holiday cooking so much easier.
Key Ingredients
Ham: Choose a ham that isn’t pre-sliced so it stays juicy while cooking. A shank or picnic ham works perfectly and fits well in most slow cookers.
Sauce Ingredients: The glaze is a simple mix of brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and a bit of pineapple juice — it creates that classic sweet and tangy holiday flavor.
Cherries and Pineapple: They add color, sweetness, and a festive touch that makes the ham stand out on any holiday table. (And both make the house smell amazing while cooking).
How to Make a Holiday Ham
- Layer some pineapple in the bottom of your slow cooker and arrange the ham on top.
- Add more pineapple and cherries over the ham, then drizzle it all with a sweet holiday glaze.
- Cover and cook low and slow until it’s tender, glistening, and ready to impress.
Tips & Variations
Clove: You press cloves into the ham and pineapple for even more Christmas ham flavor.
Make it Easy: To make it simple, just add a can of crushed pineapple and the cherries right on top.
Make it your own: Swap the Dijon for yellow or spicy brown mustard, or use maple syrup instead of honey for a different sweetness. Add a splash of orange juice or apple cider vinegar to the glaze for extra flavor.
What to Serve with Holiday Ham
Starches: Pair this festive ham with comforting sides like Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes, Candied Yams, or Baked Beans — all perfect for soaking up that sweet and savory glaze.
Greens & Extras: Balance the meal with Green Bean Casserole, Collard Greens, and a spoonful of Cranberry Sauce for a complete holiday spread everyone will love.
How to Store and Reheat Ham
Store any leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, warm the slices in the microwave or in a skillet with a little of the leftover glaze or juices to keep it moist.
You can also freeze ham for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, or use a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating — it tastes just as good the second time around!
Holiday Ham Recipe
How to Video
Ingredients
- 40 oz. sliced pineapple, drained (reserve 1 cup pineapple juice)
- 7-8 lbs. fully cooked shank ham
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 jar maraschino cherries
- toothpicks
Instructions
- Drain the pineapple slices, reserving 1 cup of the juice for the glaze. Place a layer of pineapple slices on the bottom of the slow cooker to prevent sticking.
- Remove any plastic or netting from the fully cooked ham. Place the ham flat-side down on top of the pineapple slices in the slow cooker.
- Use toothpicks to attach pineapple slices all over the surface of the ham. Place a maraschino cherry in the center of each slice and secure it with a toothpick.
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and the reserved pineapple juice until smooth.
- Pour the glaze evenly over the top of the ham, letting it run down into the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours, or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F (60°C).
- During cooking, occasionally baste the ham with the juices from the bottom of the slow cooker to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Once the ham is done cooking, remove the toothpicks and place the ham on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to slice the meat against the grain.
- Carefully transfer the sliced ham to a serving plate. Spoon some of the juices and pineapple slices over the ham for extra flavor.
- Remove toothpicks before serving.
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Holiday Mains to Make
If you’re planning your holiday menu, try my Ham Dinner or Apple and Clove Ham for a classic centerpiece.
For something different, Slow Cooker Turkey Breast or Slow Cooker London Broil make great main courses without the fuss.
And don’t forget Slow Cooker Leg of Lamb or Christmas Casserole — both perfect for a cozy, festive meal.
