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Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham with a sticky brown sugar pineapple glaze that clings to spiral slices. Cook on LOW until heated through to 140°F for tender, glossy results with pineapple rings and maraschino cherry centers.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: American
Calories: 570
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ham and glaze
  • 1 fully cooked bone-in spiral-sliced ham (7-8 pounds) Use bone-in spiral-sliced ham for best ring-and-slice presentation.
  • 1 cup brown sugar Packed for a thick, caramel-style glaze.
  • 1 can (20 oz) pineapple rings, juice reserved Save the juice to whisk with the glaze.
  • 1 tbsp honey Use honey to help the glaze become glossy.
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard Adds tang to balance the sweetness.
  • 0.25 tsp ground cloves Warm spice for classic holiday flavor.
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon Pairs with pineapple and brown sugar.
  • maraschino cherries for garnish Optional but recommended for the center-ring look.

Equipment

  • 1 slow cooker

Method
 

Load the ham
  1. Place ham flat-side down in a large slow cooker, trimming if needed for the lid to close.
  2. Whisk 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, Dijon, cloves, and cinnamon until smooth.
Glaze and decorate
  1. Pour half the glaze over the ham, working it between the slices so it coats the cut surfaces.
  2. Arrange pineapple rings over the ham and secure with toothpicks, placing a cherry in each ring center.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours, until heated through to 140°F, with the glaze visibly bubbling and thickened at the edges.
Finish and serve
  1. Spoon the juices from the slow cooker over the ham and drizzle with the remaining glaze before serving.

Notes

For the thickest, stickiest glaze, whisk until the brown sugar fully dissolves before pouring. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 4 days; reheat in the microwave or warm in a covered dish until hot (do not boil hard). Freezing is not recommended for best texture. Dietary swap: use a sugar-free brown sugar substitute for a lower-sugar version while keeping the pineapple and mustard.