You know what kind of meals I love? Five ingredient meals. Bonus points if it’s cooked in a slow cooker. Spend ten minutes at lunch time making this crockpot ham and you’re all set for dinner. How long it takes: 10 minutes to prep, 4 hours to cook Equipment you’ll need: slow cooker (crockpot) Servings: 6 Serve the ham with baked potatoes, another easy and hands off recipe. Mashed potatoes are classic, too! Add an easy salad (try creamy coleslaw or broccoli cauliflower salad), cornbread, and roasted broccoli, and you’re good to go. Dinner is served. For a special dinner, serve the ham with asparagus casserole, warm homemade Parker House rolls, and a carrot soufflé. We also love pineapple stuffing which is similar to bread pudding.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Ham
A slow cooker ham dinner is great for entertaining. It’s totally hands off for four hours, giving you plenty of time to cook side dishes, clean your house, take a nap, make a French 75, or whatever you need to do before company comes over. Looking for an easy Sunday dinner? Put the ham on before you leave for church. The ham isn’t fussy with time. If you put the ham on before you leave for church and church runs a little long, no problem. If you’re not ready to have dinner yet, another hour won’t make a whole lot of difference. (If it’s going to be a lot longer, simply set your crockpot on Warm.) Hasselback slices make a pretty presentation. The ham is sliced before you cook it, hasselback style. (Don’t worry, I’ll show you how and it’s easy to do.) This makes for a nice presentation; the ham is evenly sliced, still intact but with the slices fanning out. In addition, the maple Dijon glaze can make contact with every slice as the ham cooks, ensuring maximum flavor in every bite.
Ingredient List
Boneless Ham: Look for a quarter ham, which is usually around two and a half pounds. It will serve six to eight people, depending on how much ham they eat. If you want to serve a larger ham, that’s fine as long as it fits in your crockpot with the cover on. Maple Syrup: Use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup which is really just corn syrup, artificial maple flavor, and a bunch of other (yucky) stuff. Some folks like to make their ham with Coke for the sweet/salty flavor but maple syrup is 100% natural. Coarse Ground Dijon Mustard: Most types of mustard will work fine but I would avoid regular yellow mustard. Save that for your hotdogs and hamburgers. Brown Sugar: We’re going for the sweet and salty flavor combo here so yes, brown sugar and maple syrup. You could make the ham without brown sugar but it thickens the sauce slightly and helps it adhere. Ground Cloves: Just a pinch of ground cloves adds a subtle flavor. Traditional baked hams often are decoratively studded with whole cloves. We’re cheating a little by adding ground cloves. You have to admit, it’s a whole lot easier!
How To Make Crockpot Ham
Slice the ham. First, line up wooden spoons next to the ham and cut it into slices down to the spoons. If you’ve ever made hasselback sweet potatoes or hasselback stuffed chicken it’s similar to the method you use to make those. Helpful Hint: If you happen to slice all the way through the ham, it’s totally fine. In fact, if you prefer to cook the ham completely sliced, it’s your choice, You’re the cook! Make the sauce. Next, mix up the four ingredient sauce: maple syrup, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, cloves. Put the ham in the slow cooker and spoon the sauce over the sliced ham. Separate the slices slightly and try to get some of the sauce between each slice. Slow cook the ham. Cover the crockpot and select the low setting. Cook the ham for four hours or until it’s heated through. I like to baste the ham a few times if I can, ensuring that every bite of ham will be flavored with sauce. Serve.Transfer to a platter to serve, if desired.
Make-Ahead Ideas
Make a big batch of crockpot ham and freeze it in portions that work for your family. Dice it before freezing it if that’s the way you want to use it. It will thaw quickly. Use it to make one of the meals listed below.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Refrigerate/Freeze: Store leftover ham in a covered container in the refrigerator. It will keep three to four days. Ham can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Reheat: Individual portions can be microwaved until heated through. Don’t overheat ham; it will become tough and dry. Larger portions can be wrapped in foil and baked in a low oven (275°F) until heated. Sliced ham can also be fried in a skillet if you prefer.
Ways To Use Leftover Ham
Add to your favorite pizza. We love this grilled pizza with arugula pesto, corn, and ham. Maybe you’re a fan of a ham and pineapple pizza! Make sandwiches. Thinly slice ham for baked ham and cheese sliders or add sliced ham to grilled cheese sandwiches. Try air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches – they get super crispy. Add flavor and protein to soup. Ham is a really great addition to soup. Add it to your favorite bean soup or this white bean soup with kale and pancetta (substitute ham for the pancetta). Add diced ham to your favorite mac and cheese. Try this easy Instant Pot mac and cheese or crockpot mac and cheese. It’s perfect for breakfast. Ham is right at home in a breakfast casserole or quiche. Add it to cheesy potatoes or loaded mashed potato casserole (instead of bacon). Make a hash or a skillet. Who doesn’t love a meal in a pan with fried potatoes, ham, onions and your choice of veggies?
Quick-Start Guide!
