Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham: A Comforting, Crowd-Pleasing Favorite

If you’ve ever wished for a holiday-worthy main dish without the holiday-level stress, Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham is about to become your new best friend. I mean it—this recipe is the culinary equivalent of someone handing you a warm blanket and telling you everything is going to be okay. Busy weeknight? Hosting the family? Just craving something sweet, savory, and cozy? This slow cooker ham steps in like a hero wearing a honey glaze cape.

As someone who has spent plenty of evenings trying to juggle dinner, kids, work, and whatever life decides to throw on the calendar, I can tell you—this recipe is one of my “lifesavers.” The kind of meal that simmers quietly in the background while you reclaim your time. And yes, your house will smell like a holiday postcard… even if it’s just a random Tuesday.

Let’s dive into the magic.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham

When I say this Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham is easy, I mean ridiculously easy. We’re talking four simple ingredients whisked into a warm, golden glaze that drips into every spiral-cut slice. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting—your only job is to baste it a few times and resist sneaking a “test bite.” (I always fail. It’s tradition.)

Here’s why it wins every time:

• It’s nearly hands-off. Set it, forget it, and let the slow cooker work its cozy magic.
• Budget-friendly but impressive. A boneless spiral ham looks fancy without costing a fortune.
• Family-approved. Kids love the sweet glaze, adults love the savory contrast, and you get to enjoy the smiles.
• Perfect for holidays or weeknights. Truly a recipe for any season or situation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 4–5 pound boneless, spiral sliced ham (pre-cooked—this is important!)
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• ½ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup water

Optional (but delicious!): Thicken the Glaze

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cold water

How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham

Let’s walk through this step-by-step, as if I’m standing next to you in your kitchen—coffee in one hand, slow cooker in the other.

Step 1: Prep the Slow Cooker

Spray the insert of your slow cooker with cooking spray. This helps with cleanup later (a small act of kindness your future self will definitely appreciate).

Unwrap your pre-cooked ham and place it flat side down in the cooker. If you’ve ever wrestled a turkey before, don’t worry—ham is practically cooperative by comparison.

Step 2: Make the Honey Glaze

Grab a small saucepan, set the heat to medium-high, and whisk together:

• brown sugar
• honey
• Dijon mustard
• water

Heat until the sugar dissolves, just about 1–2 minutes. The aroma alone is enough to make the neighbors wonder what holiday they forgot about.

Pour this warm glaze all over the ham, letting it drip down into the slices.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours.

Now, here’s the fun part: basting. About 3–4 times during cooking, spoon or baste some of that gorgeous glaze back over the top. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it makes the ham even more irresistible.

Pro tip: If you’re having one of those days, basting is oddly therapeutic.

Step 4: Slice, Serve & Bask in Compliments

Remove the ham and place it onto a serving platter. The spiral slices will have loosened during cooking, so simply run a knife along the cuts to separate them fully.

Scoop some of the glaze from the slow cooker and drizzle it generously over the top. Your ham is ready for applause.

Optional: Thicken the Glaze for Extra Shine

If you prefer a slightly thicker glaze (think glossy, syrupy, irresistible), here’s how to do it:

1. Pour the leftover liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan.
2. Mix cornstarch and cold water together, then stir it into the liquid.
3. Heat over medium-high until it boils—just 1–2 minutes.
4. Simmer until your desired thickness is reached.

Let it sit for a moment; it thickens as it cools.
If you want a smooth-as-silk texture, strain the liquid through a mesh sieve before thickening.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham

Here are a few little nuggets of wisdom from my kitchen to yours:

• Buy a pre-cooked ham. This is non-negotiable for this recipe. You’re reheating, warming, and flavor-infusing—not cooking from scratch.
• Smaller ham? Shorter cook time. My 4-pound ham was perfect at 5 hours. Larger ones may need the full 6.
• If the glaze gets too thick? It’s not a mistake—it’s extra comfort waiting to happen. Add a splash of water to thin it.
• Want extra caramelization? Pop slices under the broiler for 2–3 minutes. Watch carefully—sugar burns fast.

A Little Story from My Kitchen

The first time I made this Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham, I was having one of those weeks where my to-do list felt like it needed its own assistant. Between errands, deadlines, and a dishwasher that decided to retire early, dinner was the last thing I wanted to overthink.

This recipe saved me—like a culinary superhero. The slow cooker turned a simple ham into something that tasted like I spent hours fussing over it. When my family sat down and started making happy “mmm!” noises, I knew this one was a keeper.

Now, it’s part of our rotation—holidays, potlucks, and even lazy Sundays. I hope it brings the same comfort to your table.

FAQs About Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham

Ways to Serve This Lovely Ham

You can serve it classic-style with mashed potatoes and green beans, but don’t be afraid to get creative. Here are some fun ideas:

• Ham and Swiss sliders
• Savory ham and cheese breakfast casserole
• Ham fried rice for a quick weeknight dinner
• Tossed into soups, omelets, or quesadillas

Trust me—leftovers disappear fast.

Let’s Bring It to the Table

Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham is one of those dishes that feels festive but cooks like a weeknight meal. Sweet, savory, tender, and comforting, it brings warmth to any table without asking much from you in return. And honestly, that’s my favorite kind of cooking—minimal effort, maximum flavor, and plenty of time left to enjoy the moments that matter.

Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, planning a holiday feast, or simply craving a cozy dinner, this Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham will make your kitchen smell like pure happiness.

Now, grab that slow cooker and let’s get cooking. Your future self is already smiling.

More Delicious Recipes to Try Next

If you loved this Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham, you might also enjoy exploring this helpful Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham guide from a fellow blogger—it offers another warm, family-friendly take on this classic dish. And if you’re ready to build out the rest of your menu, here are some cozy and festive recipes your family will love:

• For a cozy, creamy side dish that complements ham perfectly, try these ultra–creamy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes.
• Add a festive appetizer to your menu with these irresistible Baked Cranberry Brie Bites—always a crowd-pleaser during the holidays.
• If you’re craving something warm and hearty for another night, you’ll love this comforting Crock Pot Hamburger Soup.
• And for a sweet treat to finish the meal, don’t miss this festive Sugar Cookie Christmas Fudge—simple, nostalgic, and perfect for gifting.

Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham: A Comforting, Crowd-Pleasing Favorite

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• Author: Mounia
• Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: 10 servings 1x

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Description

A tender and flavorful Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham made with a simple 4-ingredient glaze. Sweet, savory, effortless, and perfect for holidays or family dinners.

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Ingredients

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• 4–5 pound boneless, spiral sliced ham (pre-cooked)

• 1/2 cup light brown sugar

• 1/2 cup honey

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• 1/4 cup water

Optional – Thicken the Glaze:

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon cold water

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Instructions

1. Spray the slow cooker insert with cooking spray. Place the ham flat side down inside.

2. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and water. Stir for 1–2 minutes until sugar dissolves.

3. Pour the glaze evenly over the ham.

4. Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours.

5. Baste the ham 3–4 times during cooking using a spoon or baster.

6. Remove the ham and place it on a serving plate. Finish slicing along the spiral cuts if needed.

7. Spoon the glaze from the slow cooker over the sliced ham and serve warm.

Optional – Thicken the Glaze:

1. Pour leftover liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan.

2. Mix cornstarch and cold water, then stir into the saucepan.

3. Cook over medium-high heat until boiling, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened.

Notes

Use a pre-cooked spiral ham; this recipe warms and flavors it, rather than fully cooking it.

A 4 lb ham cooks in about 5 hours; larger hams may reach 6 hours.

The glaze thickens as it cools.

For a smoother sauce, strain liquid before thickening.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Dinner, Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 2 slices)
• Calories: 233 kcal
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 686 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg