A 4-ingredient slow cooker spiral sliced ham is the kind of recipe that makes holiday meals, Sunday dinners, and busy family gatherings feel easy without giving up that special homemade flavor. Using a spiral sliced ham means all the work of carving is already started for you, and the slow cooker helps keep the meat tender and juicy while a simple sweet-savory glaze works its way between the slices as it cooks.
This ham is wonderful with classic family sides like mashed potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, green beans, buttery rolls, mac and cheese, or a simple fruit salad. If you're serving it for a holiday meal, it also pairs beautifully with scalloped potatoes, roasted carrots, deviled eggs, and a crisp salad to balance the sweetness of the glaze.
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Spiral Sliced Ham
Servings: 10 to 12
Ingredients
1 spiral sliced ham, about 7 to 9 pounds
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup pineapple juice
Directions
1. Remove the spiral sliced ham from its packaging and check that it will fit in your slow cooker. If needed, trim a small portion from the bottom or gently press the ham in so the lid can close securely.
2. Place the ham cut-side down in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the top, then pour the maple syrup and pineapple juice over and around the ham so the liquid can settle between the slices.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, occasionally spooning some of the cooking liquid over the top if you have time. The ham is ready when it is heated through and glossy all over.
4. Carefully transfer the ham to a serving platter. Spoon some of the juices from the slow cooker over the top before serving so every slice stays moist and flavorful.
Variations & Tips
For a deeper flavor: Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the maple syrup before pouring it over the ham. It gives the glaze a slightly tangy note that balances the sweetness nicely.
For picky eaters: Keep the recipe exactly as written and serve extra glaze on the side instead of pouring too much over the top. That way everyone can add as much or as little sweetness as they like.
If your ham is smaller: Reduce the cooking time and start checking it after about 3 hours on low. Since spiral hams are already cooked, you're really just warming it through and letting the glaze soak in.
To keep it from drying out: Make sure the lid stays closed as much as possible during cooking, and spoon a little of the liquid over the slices before serving. That simple step helps keep the ham tender, especially around the edges.
For easy leftovers: Leftover ham is wonderful tucked into sliders, breakfast casseroles, grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, or scrambled eggs the next morning. I like to store a little of the cooking liquid with the sliced ham so it reheats beautifully.