Crockpot Spiral Ham is tender, juicy, and has a balanced sweet-and-tangy flavor from brown sugar and a touch of hot sauce. It takes about five minutes of prep and the slow cooker does the rest.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Ham
Cooking a ham in the slow cooker makes a simple centerpiece even easier. This version pairs classic brown sugar with a couple of unexpected additions for depth. A small amount of bourbon adds warmth and sweetness (the alcohol cooks off during the long, slow cook), while a few dashes of hot sauce give a bright, tangy note without making the dish spicy. It’s a reliable, hands-off option for family dinners and holiday entertaining.
- Dump-and-go convenience
- Rich, well-rounded flavor
- Perfect for holidays and guests
- Family-friendly
- Minimal hands-on effort
Ingredient Information And Substitutions
- Brown sugar – Provides a mellow sweetness that complements the ham. Light brown sugar works well; dark brown sugar will give a deeper, molasses-like flavor.
- Spiral cut ham – Either bone-in or boneless will work. Spiral-cut is convenient because it’s already pre-sliced for serving.
- Bourbon (Jim Beam Red Stag) – Adds a subtle, sweet warmth. The alcohol evaporates during cooking. If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can omit it and add a splash of apple juice or orange juice for sweetness and acidity, but the flavor will differ slightly.
- Hot sauce – A few dashes brighten the sauce without making it hot. Frank’s RedHot or Tabasco are good options.
How To Cook A Spiral Ham In The Crock Pot
Step 1: Prepare the sauce
Whisk together half of the brown sugar, the bourbon, and the hot sauce in a bowl until combined. Set aside.
Step 2: Add brown sugar to the crockpot
Spread the remaining brown sugar in an even layer across the bottom of the slow cooker.
Step 3: Place the ham and cover with sauce
Position the ham on top of the brown sugar, rotating it if needed so the lid fits properly. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the ham, using a brush to coat it thoroughly if necessary.
Step 4: Cover and cook
Cover and cook the ham on low for 6–8 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Baste the ham a few times during cooking to keep it moist. When done, slice and serve with the cooking juices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Either works. Boneless spiral hams can be easier to handle and serve if the size fits your slow cooker. Bone-in is also fine—just confirm the ham’s shape and size will fit under the lid.
No. The brown sugar melts and combines with the ham’s own juices to create enough liquid for this recipe.
Stored covered in the refrigerator, leftovers keep for about 4–5 days.
Yes. Reheat in the oven or in the microwave for individual portions. Adding some of the reserved cooking juices helps retain moisture.
Cook on low in the slow cooker for 6–8 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Reheat with the reserved juices, or cover the ham while reheating to trap steam and prevent drying.
Remove some cooking juices, reduce them in a pan until syrupy, or thicken with a cornstarch slurry for a quicker glaze.
Yes. Freeze sliced leftovers in a sealed bag or container for longer storage.
This recipe isn’t ideal for the Instant Pot because it relies on the ham’s juices and not much added liquid, which is important for pressure cooking.
Tips For Making Sliced Ham
- Size and shape: Choose a ham that will fit comfortably in your slow cooker—mine was about 7 pounds.
- Fit it right: Place the ham in whatever orientation allows the lid to close fully.
- Mix the sauce thoroughly: It should be fully liquid before pouring over the ham.
- Use the juices: Spoon cooking juices over the slices when serving, or reduce them into a glaze.
- Reheating and storage: Reheat with juices in the oven (covered) or in the microwave for single portions. Refrigerate covered up to 4–5 days.
More Slow Cooker Recipes To Try…
-
Fall Apart Slow Cooker Pork Chops
-
Pulled BBQ Chicken Recipe
-
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
-
Pot Roast Recipe (Slow Cooker + IP)
Crockpot Spiral Ham
Jessy Freimann
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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slow cooker
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Bowl
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Whisk
Ingredients
- 2 cups brown sugar, divided
- 1 6–8 pound spiral cut half ham, bone-in or boneless
- 1 1.7 ounce Jim Beam Red Stag bottle (airline bottle)
- 2–3 dashes hot sauce, like Frank’s RedHot
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup brown sugar, the bourbon, and the hot sauce until well combined. Set aside.
- Place the remaining brown sugar in an even layer on the bottom of the crock pot.
- Place the ham on top of the sugar, turning it as needed so the lid fits.
- Pour the sauce over the ham and brush to coat evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours until the internal temperature reaches 145°F, basting a few times during cooking. Slice and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Shape and size matter. My ham was about 7 pounds. Make sure the ham fits comfortably in your slow cooker with the lid closed.
- Place the ham in the orientation that best allows the lid to close.
- Mix the sauce well. It should be completely liquid before pouring.
- Use the juices to moisten slices when serving, or reduce them into a glaze.
- Reheating and leftovers: Reheat in the oven with juices and covered, or microwave individual portions. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 167kcal
Carbohydrates: 43g
Protein: 0.1g
Sodium: 12mg
Potassium: 59mg
Sugar: 43g
Calcium: 37mg
Iron: 0.3mg
Let us know how it was!