Slow Cooker Ham Recipe (2024)

Wondering how to make Slow Cooker Ham? It’s the easiest way to cook a smoked bone-in ham in the crockpot and it turns out PERFECT every time!

Tonia’s Notes

When I think about holiday meals, my mom’s ham always comes to mind, so that is the recipe I will be sharing today. I called it Mom’s Famous Bone-In Ham, and while it isn’t exactly famous in the traditional sense, my mom’s delicious ham is well-known and loved. My mom says that it is her go-to recipe for dinner company throughout the year because it is so easy to make and always turns out well.

Everyone who has ever had my mom’s ham says they love it and want to know how she made it and what brand of ham she used. I’ve heard people exclaim that it is like eating candy. In fact, one of my brothers will eat leftover ham instead of dessert!

So, what’s the big secret? Cook the plain ham in a slow cooker with water on low over a long period of time. That’s it! My mom buys whatever brand of ham is on sale at the grocery store, so I do the same. I look for a ham that is smaller in size and looks like it will fit into my large crockpot.

How To Choose A Ham

To make a slow cooker ham, look for a bone-in shank or butt portion half ham that is smoked, fully cooked, and vacuum-packed. This kind of ham can be eaten cold, right out of the package according to the USDA.

A shank ham is the lower part of the ham. It tends to be fattier and chewier but is easier to carve. A butt portion of ham is the upper end of the ham. It tends to have more meat and is more tender but can be harder to carve.

There are a couple of other kinds of ham that may be available at your local grocery store. A boneless ham has the bone removed and is pressed to reshape it. Although it is easy to slice without the bone, it doesn’t have the same texture and tenderness as a cooked bone-in ham.

A spiral-cut ham is sliced before it is vacuum-packed. They often have a glaze already applied, which you may or may not prefer, and can dry out while cooking, so be careful about how you cook it.

How To Make Slow Cooker Ham

Step One: Unwrap the Ham

If the ham is frozen, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.

Place the ham on a rimmed baking sheet. Cut away the plastic wrapper, remove it and the round plastic piece that is covering the bone.

Step Two: Place in Crockpot

Transfer the ham to the crockpot with the cut side down. This smoked, bone-in butt portion ham weighed just over seven pounds and fit perfectly into my crockpot.

If your ham is too big to fit into your crockpot, cut some of the ham off so that it fits. Tuck the pieces in around the ham. The pieces will cook the same as the rest of the ham.

Finally, add 1/2 cup of water to the slow cooker to help keep the ham moist.

Step Three: Cook in Slow Cooker

Put the lid on the crockpot and cook the ham on low for 4-6 hours.

Moisture gathers on the top of the slow cooker and drips down on the ham, keeping it moist so you don’t have to baste it.

Step Four: Carve the Ham

Slice the ham perpendicular to the bone (meaning make your slices directly towards the bone). Then, slice along the bone to free the slices of ham.

Step Five: Serve the Ham

Put the sliced ham on a platter to serve or put it back into the ham juice in the slow cooker and turn it to warm until you are ready to serve.

If there is a longer period of time before serving, give the ham a stir every once in a while and baste the ham slices with the juice on the bottom.

The ham drippings are perfect for homemade gravy, and it is easy to make. Melt butter in a pan, stir in flour, and then whisk in the ham drippings and milk. The ham gravy recipe is included in the recipe card!

We really enjoyed our dinner, and I am going to make my slow cooker ham and cheese soup with the leftovers. My daughter told me that my ham is just like grandma’s. She said that no one else makes ham like we do and that when she has ham at her friend’s houses, it never tastes as good.

Sides For Ham

• Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes are a hands-off way to make mashed potatoes.
• This Strawberry Jello Salad is a family tradition.
• These Sautéed Green Beans are an easy side dish.
• Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole is an easy way to make this classic!

Recipes For Leftover Ham

• Slow Cooker Ham and Cheese Soup is our favorite soup recipe.
• This Cheesy Ham Pot Pie includes scalloped potatoes.
• My grandma used to make the best Ham and Cheese Croissants.
• Make Chicken Wild Rice Soup with Ham for a cozy dinner.

Slow Cooker Ham Recipe FAQs