Crockpot Ham

Nov 16, 2021Updated May 27, 2025

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You can’t go wrong with Crockpot Ham for special occasions. Tender ham that has a brown sugar glaze along with pineapple and a touch of Dijon mustard.

slow cooker with large ham in it, pineapples on top.

I make ham in the crockpot for almost every holiday—Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas—and this is our tried-and-true family recipe. It’s easy to throw together and always comes out moist, with a sweet pineapple sauce that’s perfect for spooning over your sides. Whether you’re serving a crowd or want leftovers for sandwiches, this slow cooker ham delivers every time.

What you’ll need:

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy and flavorful slow cooker ham:

A ready-to-eat ham – Most hams in the United States are precooked, and that’s what you want.
Your favorite mustard (yellow, Dijon, or stone ground)
Light or dark brown sugar
Canned pineapple (use the juice, don’t drain!)
A large slow cooker (6-quart or bigger)

ingredients for brown sugar ham on a table

How to Make Crockpot Ham

Place the ham in your slow cooker, then top it with mustard, brown sugar, and the pineapple along with all its juices. The low and slow cooking time will keep your ham moist. Though, don’t over cook or you will make pulled ham. Find the full Recipe in the recipe card below the images.

brown sugar and pineapple added on top of the ham and mustard.

Cook’s Notes

You can replace the honey with brown sugar. Use 1/4 cup of honey in place of the 1/2 cup of brown sugar.

Trim the ham if it’s too large for your slow cooker; removing a piece from the narrow end usually does the trick. If your ham is still too large, you can add foil over the entire slow cooker then add the lid on top — though the cooking time will take longer.

Use whole pineapple rings for the classic look of a holiday ham, you can even add maraschino cherries as well.

Serving Ideas for Ham

Ham is one of those fantastic main courses that pair well with a variety of side dishes; here are my favorites.

Crockpot ham pairs perfectly with rich Crockpot Baked Beans, creamy Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes, and holiday favorites like Crockpot Green Bean Casserole, stuffing, or pineapple casserole. Add a spoonful of Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce to round out the plate.

Leftovers? Enjoy them cold, in sandwiches, or stirred into soups like Slow Cooker Ham and Beans or 15 Bean Soup with Ham.

Featured Comment

“Oh yea!!!! This ham is awesome. I made it for Christmas dinner and it was very moist and delicious. I will never made a ham in the oven again. Thank you so much Sarah. Keep the great recipes coming.”
– kATHIE

86 More Reviews

Slice of brown sugar ham on plate with pineapple on top.

Crockpot Ham

4.94 from 29 votes

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 5 10

Servings:

By: Sarah Olson

This crockpot ham is slow-cooked with pineapple, brown sugar, and mustard for a sweet, flavorful main that’s perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners.

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How to Video

Equipment

Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger (I own and use this one from Crock-Pot)

Ingredients

▢ 6 – 7 lb. picnic pork shoulder ham, spiral ham or black forest, this ham will say ready to eat, not raw and uncooked
▢ 1/8 cup mustard, yellow, dijon or stone ground (Maille dijon mustard is my favorite)
▢ 1/2 cup brown sugar, light or dark
▢ 20 oz. can pineapple – tidbits, crushed or rings, DO NOT DRAIN

Instructions

Add the ham to the slow cooker. Spread over the mustard. Pat over the brown sugar. Now pour over the pineapple with its juices.
Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours. Don't open the lid while it cooks, so heat doesn't escape.
Slice and serve with pineapple and juices.

Sarah’s Notes

How much ham per person?

If the ham has a bone in it, you will need to figure a 1/2 pound per person if it is boneless, 1/3 pound per person. If you are serving turkey as well, you can cut back even more. It is always nice to have leftovers or send leftovers with your guests, so don’t stress too much if you buy a larger ham.