When the school year gets busy and the kitchen needs to take care of itself, a simple slow cooker supper like this feels like an old friend. This 5-ingredient back-to-school comfort dish leans on that familiar Midwestern habit of making something hearty from a handful of pantry staples, letting a savory glazed ham cook low and slow until supper is ready by the time backpacks hit the floor.
This is especially good with buttery mashed potatoes, green beans, buttered corn, or a simple applesauce on the side. If you want to stretch it for a bigger family table, tuck the sliced ham into soft dinner rolls or serve it with baked potatoes and a crisp cabbage slaw for a supper that feels both practical and a little special.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Vintage Back-to-School Comfort
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 fully cooked boneless ham, 3 to 4 pounds
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup apple juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Directions
1. Place the boneless ham in the slow cooker, flat side down if it has one, so it sits snugly in the pot.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple juice, and soy sauce until well combined.
3. Pour the glaze over the ham, cover, and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, basting once or twice if convenient, until the ham is heated through and glossy.
4. Transfer the ham to a cutting board, let it rest for 10 minutes, then slice and spoon some of the cooking juices over the top before serving.
Variations & Tips
Maple-Sweet Version: Replace the apple juice with an equal amount of maple syrup for a deeper sweetness and a richer glaze that tastes wonderful with roasted sweet potatoes.
Old-Fashioned Pineapple Touch: Add a few pineapple rings around the ham during the last hour of cooking if you like that classic supper-club style sweetness alongside the savory glaze.
For Easier Slicing: If your ham is very tender, let it rest the full 10 minutes before cutting so the slices stay neat and hold their shape better on the serving platter.
Make the Most of Leftovers: Leftover ham is mighty useful for school-week meals. Tuck it into biscuits, scramble it with eggs, or dice it into macaroni and cheese for another supper that comes together in no time.