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Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
Easy Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is a sweet, salty, ultra tender holiday ham made with a fully cooked spiral ham, canned pineapple, and a generous blanket of brown sugar that slowly melts into a glossy glaze in the slow cooker. It is the kind of festive main that looks impressive on the table but is almost entirely hands off, making it perfect for Easter, Christmas, or any cozy Sunday dinner.
Introduction
There is something magical about lifting the lid off a slow cooker and being hit with a wave of sweet pineapple, caramelized brown sugar, and smoky ham. The meat is so tender it practically falls off the bone, the edges get a little sticky and golden, and the juices at the bottom of the pot turn into an effortless sweet and tangy sauce you can spoon over every slice. This Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham delivers all of that with just a few pantry ingredients and almost no active cooking.
This recipe leans on a fully cooked spiral ham, which means your slow cooker is doing more warming and glazing than actual cooking. That gentle heat keeps the meat juicy while the brown sugar, maple or honey, and pineapple juice slowly sink between every slice. The result is a classic American holiday ham: sweet at the edges, savory and smoky in the center, with little bursts of bright pineapple in every bite.
If you love low effort, high reward main dishes, this easy crock pot ham will become one of those recipes you pull out year after year. You simply layer brown sugar in the bottom, nestle in the ham, pour over pineapple and syrup, and let the slow cooker do its thing while you focus on sides, guests, or just relaxing in a cozy kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Set it and forget it: Once the ham, pineapple, and brown sugar are in the slow cooker, you just cover and let it go until everything is hot and tender, making it perfect for busy holidays or entertaining.
- Amazing sweet and salty flavor: Brown sugar, pineapple juice, and a touch of maple syrup or honey create a sticky, sweet glaze that balances the salty, smoky ham beautifully.
- Foolproof for fully cooked ham: Because most store bought spiral hams are fully cooked, this method gently reheats and glazes instead of risking dryness in the oven.
- Minimal ingredients: Many popular versions use just ham, brown sugar, and pineapple, with optional maple or honey and warm spices like cloves or cinnamon.
- Holiday and weeknight friendly: While it looks like a holiday centerpiece, the hands off slow cooker method makes it easy enough for any Sunday dinner or potluck.
Ingredients
Here is a classic ingredient lineup inspired by several popular Crock Pot brown sugar pineapple ham recipes.
You can use bone in or boneless ham; spiral cut hams are easiest to serve and allow the pineapple brown sugar mixture to seep between slices for maximum flavor.
Step by Step Instructions
1. Prepare the slow cooker and ham
- Layer the brown sugar on the bottom
- Place the ham in the crock
2. Add pineapple and sweeteners
- Pour in the pineapple
- Drizzle with maple syrup or honey
- Top with remaining brown sugar and optional spices
3. Slow cook until heated and tender
- Cook on low or high
- Baste occasionally (optional)
- If you are nearby, spoon some of the juices from the bottom of the slow cooker over the ham once or twice during cooking to encourage extra flavor on the top slices. This step is optional but adds a nice glossy finish.
- Rest, then slice and serve
Tips for Success
- Choose the right size ham: Make sure the ham fits inside your slow cooker with the lid able to close; if it is a bit tall, you can tent the top tightly with foil until it settles as it heats.
- Do not overcook: Because the ham is pre cooked, too many hours on high can start to dry it out; aim for just enough time to warm it through and soften the texture.
- Keep the lid on: Try not to open the slow cooker frequently; each peek lets out heat and extends the cooking time.
- Adjust sweetness to taste: Use the higher end of the brown sugar range and maple or honey if you love very sweet ham; reduce slightly if you prefer a more balanced sweet savory profile.
- Use the juices as sauce: Do not discard the liquid in the slow cooker; it makes a ready made glaze or sauce to spoon over each serving.
Variations & Substitutions
- Spiced holiday ham: Add ground cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger directly to the brown sugar, or stud the ham with whole cloves for a vintage holiday presentation.
- Orange pineapple ham: Replace part of the pineapple juice with orange juice or add a few orange slices to the crock for a citrusy twist.
- Less sweet version: Cut back the brown sugar and skip the maple syrup or honey for a milder, more savory ham while still keeping the pineapple for moisture and tang.
- Non spiral ham: You can use an uncut bone in ham; just score the surface in a diamond pattern so the glaze can soak in, then slice after cooking.
What to Serve With It
- Classic holiday sides: Pair the ham with mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, or cheesy potato casserole, plus green beans, roasted Brussels sprouts, or glazed carrots for a full holiday spread.
- Fresh, bright sides: A citrusy salad or simple mixed greens with vinaigrette help balance the sweetness of the pineapple glaze.
- Bread and rolls: Soft dinner rolls or cornbread are perfect for soaking up extra juices from the crock.
- Leftover friendly dishes: Plan on using leftovers in ham and bean soup, ham fried rice, or ham and cheese sliders the next day.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigeration: Cool leftover ham, then store sliced pieces in an airtight container with some of the cooking juices for up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze portions of sliced ham (with a bit of glaze) in freezer safe bags for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in the oven, covered with foil and moistened with some of the reserved juices, or warm slices in a skillet with a spoonful of glaze until heated through to keep them from drying out.
Nutrition Facts (Approximate per serving)
Exact values will vary with ham brand, size, and amount of sugar used, but for a rough estimate using spiral ham, brown sugar, pineapple, and maple or honey:
| Nutrient | Approx. Amount (per serving) |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~320–380 |
| Protein | ~23–26 g |
| Carbs | ~24–30 g |
| Fat | ~14–18 g |
| Fiber | ~0–1 g |
| Sugar | ~20–26 g |
| Sodium | High, often 900+ mg depending on ham |
This Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is not low sodium or low sugar, but it is high in protein and makes an indulgent centerpiece best balanced with plenty of vegetables and lighter sides.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a ham that is too big for the slow cooker: If the lid cannot close securely, the ham may cook unevenly; trim or choose a smaller ham if needed.
- Overcooking the ham: Treat this as reheating rather than roasting from raw; too many hours on high can make the meat dry and tough.
- Draining the pineapple juice: The juice is key to building the glaze and keeping the ham moist; always add it along with the fruit.
- Throwing away the cooking liquid: Those sweet and savory juices are your glaze; spoon them generously over the sliced ham.
FAQ
Do I need to add water or broth to the crock pot?
Usually no. The ham releases juices as it warms, and the pineapple chunks with their juice plus brown sugar and syrup create plenty of liquid for glazing.
Can I cook this ham on high instead of low?
Yes. Many recipes give the option of 3 to 4 hours on high or about 4 to 6 hours on low; use low if you have time and want the most tender result, and high if you are starting late.
What kind of ham works best?
Fully cooked spiral cut bone in hams in the 6 to 10 pound range are popular because they fit most 6 quart slow cookers and are easy to slice and serve. Boneless or half hams also work as long as they fit well.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can cook the ham earlier in the day, keep it on the warm setting for a short period, or slice and store it in the fridge with some juices, then reheat gently in the oven or slow cooker before serving.
Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes. Many simple recipes use 2 to 3 cups of brown sugar plus syrup, but you can cut the sugar by about a third and still have a delicious glaze, especially if you like a more balanced sweet savory ham.
Try this Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Recipe the next time you need an easy, impressive holiday main that practically makes itself, and use the leftovers for cozy Creamy Chicken Pillows the next day.
Easy Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Recipe
Impress your guests with this flavorful and hassle-free dish featuring succulent ham infused with the sweet tanginess of pineapple and the rich warmth of brown sugar, all cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 1 (5-7 pound) bone-in ham
- 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Directions
- Place the ham in a slow cooker.
- In a bowl, mix together the crushed pineapple (with juice), brown sugar, and ground cloves.
- Pour the pineapple mixture over the ham, ensuring it is evenly coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, basting occasionally with the pineapple glaze.
- Once cooked, let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Serve the ham with the remaining pineapple glaze from the slow cooker.
- Enjoy the succulent and flavorful pineapple ham!
