Slow Cooker Orange Glazed Ham

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Ready for the easiest holiday ham recipe? This Slow Cooker Orange Glazed Ham is one of the simplest and most flavorful ways to cook ham. The slow cooker keeps the ham incredibly juicy while a sweet and tangy glaze made with orange marmalade, maple syrup, mustard, and garlic slowly caramelizes over the meat.

This recipe is perfect for Easter dinner, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Sunday family dinners because it requires almost no hands-on work. Simply score the ham, pour the glaze on top, and let the crock pot do the rest. The best kind of recipes!

The result is a beautiful, tender ham coated in a bright citrus glaze that tastes like it took hours of work — but actually only takes minutes to prep. We love a good crock pot ham over here. Try a hands-off Easter Ham Dinner for Two, Pineapple Glazed Ham or an easy Dijon Ham, all made in the slow cooker.

If you’re hosting a holiday meal or just want a comforting dinner that feeds a crowd, this crock pot ham recipe is practically foolproof.

I love using any leftover ham in delicious next day recipes like Ham and Croissant Breakfast Casserole, Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup or Cheesy Ham Pasta.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Ham

• Only 5 minutes of prep
• Perfect for Easter, Christmas, or holiday dinners
• The crock pot keeps the ham juicy and tender
• A sweet, citrusy glaze that tastes gourmet
• Great for feeding a crowd
• Delicious leftovers for sandwiches, soups, and casseroles

What You’ll Need

Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips! On the recipe card below, click “print recipe” and from there you can print out the page or screenshot it to save to your phone’s photo album.

Pin this recipe to save to Pinterest so you can make it later! You can Pin It from the recipe card below. Just click the “Pin Recipe” button. If you’d like to follow me on Pinterest , my page is Steph Gigliotti.

Ingredients

I’ve put all the ingredients and supplies you’ll need to make this Slow Cooker Glazed Ham into a grocery list for you to add to your next Walmart order. Grab the full Shopping List here.

• Slow Cooker– you’ll want a 7-8 quart size to accommodate this recipe
• 6–8 pound semi-boneless or boneless ham
• Water to pour in the bottom (chicken or vegetable broth, orange juice or pineapple juice all work)

Orange Glaze

• Orange marmalade (apricot or peach jam also works great)
• Pure maple syrup– use the good stuff, not pancake syrup. You could substitute honey.
• Stone ground or Dijon mustard
• Garlic cloves, minced

Optional, for thickened glaze

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water

How to Make Slow Cooker Orange Glazed Ham

1. Score the ham

Using a sharp knife, score the ham in a diamond pattern, cutting about ½ inch deep into the fat layer if it isn’t already pre-scored.

2. Prepare the ham

Pour 1/2 cup water into the slow cooker basin. Place the ham in the slow cooker.
If using a semi-boneless or bone-in ham, remove the plastic cover on the bottom before cooking.

If the ham is too large for the crock pot, simply trim a little from the sides and place the pieces on top.

3. Make the glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together:

• orange marmalade
• maple syrup
• mustard
• minced garlic

Pour the glaze evenly over the ham.

4. Slow cook

Cook on:

LOW for 3-4 hours
or
HIGH for 1 1/2-2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F.

Baste the ham with the glaze halfway through cooking.

5. Rest the ham

Remove the ham and place it on a cutting board. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

6. Optional: Thicken the glaze

If you want a thicker sauce:

1. Strain the glaze from the crock pot into a saucepan.
2. Whisk together cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry.
3. Add to the saucepan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until thickened.

Serve the glaze over the sliced ham or on the side.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Take a picture and tag me @StephGigliotti on social media and #StephRealLife. I would absolutely love to see your finished dish! ⭐ Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section. 📌Save this recipe to make later and share with a friend!

Tips for the Best Crock Pot Ham

Choose the right ham.
A fully cooked spiral ham, semi-boneless ham, or boneless ham all work well in the slow cooker.

Don’t overcook it.
Since most hams are already cooked, you’re simply heating it through and adding flavor.

Score the fat.
Scoring helps the glaze soak into the ham and gives it that classic holiday appearance.

Use the leftovers.
Leftover ham is perfect for:

• breakfast casseroles-Try Ham and Croissant Casserole
• ham sandwiches
• soups- Try Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup
• scalloped potatoes with ham
• dinner the next day, like this Cheesy Ham Pasta

Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with Ham

This orange glazed ham pairs perfectly with classic holiday sides like:

• Cheesy hashbrown casserole
• Low carb mashed cauliflower
• Roasted asparagus
• Simple salad with lemon viniagrette
• Balsamic honey glazed carrots
• Deviled eggs
• Crock pot Glazed carrots
• Macaroni and cheese
• Scalloped potatoes
• Squash casserole
• Mashed potatoes (try them in the slow cooker! Recipe here)

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator:
Store leftover ham in an airtight container for 3–4 days.

Freezer:
Freeze sliced ham for up to 2 months.

Reheating:
Warm slices gently in the microwave or in a covered skillet with a little glaze or broth to keep it moist.

FAQ’s

Can I use a spiral ham in the slow cooker?

Yes! Spiral ham works great. Just be careful when transferring it because the slices are already cut.

What if my ham is too big for the crock pot?

Simply trim a little off the sides and place the pieces on top of the ham inside the slow cooker.

Can I make this ham ahead of time?

Yes. You can cook the ham earlier in the day, slice it, and keep it warm in the slow cooker on the warm setting.

What other jams can I use instead of orange marmalade?

Apricot jam and peach preserves are both delicious substitutes.

Do I need to add liquid to the slow cooker?

No. The ham releases plenty of juices as it heats, which mixes with the glaze.

How do I keep ham from drying out in the crock pot?

Cook on low heat, baste halfway through, and avoid cooking longer than necessary.

How Much Ham Per Person

If you’re serving ham for a holiday dinner like Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving, it can be tricky to know how much to buy. The amount depends on whether your ham is boneless or bone-in and whether you want leftovers.

Ham Per Person Guide

Boneless Ham

• Plan for ½ pound per person

Bone-In Ham

• Plan for ¾ pound to 1 pound per person

Bone-in hams weigh more because of the bone, but they also add great flavor.

Quick Reference Chart

Number of Guests	Boneless Ham	Bone-In Ham
4 people	2 pounds	3–4 pounds
6 people	3 pounds	4–6 pounds
8 people	4 pounds	6–8 pounds
10 people	5 pounds	8–10 pounds
12 people	6 pounds	9–12 pounds

A 6–8 pound ham like the one in this recipe typically feeds about 8–10 people, especially when served with side dishes.

Want Leftovers?

If you love leftover ham for sandwiches, soups, or breakfast casseroles, consider buying an extra pound or two.

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