If you haven’t been used to making recipes in a crockpot, then you’ll admit that it seems challenging. And many recipes come out even more effortless in the crockpot, including the popular multi-guest dinner favorite, the ham! And with how many classic recipes are finding their place in this appliance, you may fear you’re lagging. But knowing the right way to use a slow cooker isn’t as difficult as you fear.
Unlike the oven, the cooking time for crockpot ham differs immensely. But the method is such a comfort-zone option; you won’t be bothered about the variation between both styles. So, check the instructions below to master how to keep to time when cooking crockpot ham.
Ham Nutrition Facts
Cooking Tips for Crock Pot Ham
Before exploring the duration required for slow cooker ham, let’s first check out other factors that contribute to its deliciousness. Whenever you plan on making ham in a slow cooker, you need to keep these tips at heart;
Consider the Size
Your selected ham must match the size of your slow cooker if you want the best result. So, the first step is to check your crockpot’s size with the ham you’re planning to cook. A rough parameter to consider is a seven or eight quartz slow cooker for a ham weighing eight to 10 pounds.
But sometimes, you may be stuck with a smaller crockpot, and the lid won’t close. In such cases, first cover the ham with foil, making sure to tuck it in and around the meat. The foil will trap the steam, so the meat cooks as expected, as the lid sits on top of everything.
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Consider the Appearance and Flavor
Most times, hams come either cured or uncured, which refers to whether they were brined beforehand. By default, most hams found at grocery stores are cured, so take note. And cured hams tend to have a darker color when cooked compared to the uncured types. Hams can also come plain or smoked, depending on your taste preference.
Precooked or Uncooked
Ham comes in different types, and each one offers a distinct advantage. The spiral ham, for instance, allows for an easier slicing after it’s cooked. Sliced hams are pre-cut, so you don’t have to worry about how to go about it. But most times, hams come raw, partially cooked, or fully cooked.
Most people prefer to use fully cooked ham for their recipes since it takes little time to be ready. But you can also consider partly cooked or raw hams if you’d prefer them. But note that each type requires a different internal doneness temperature. And that the raw and partly cooked ham will take a longer time to reach doneness.
Bone-In or Boneless
Hams come either with the bone or without, and both types are unique in their ways. Most boneless hams are easier to slice and cook faster, except the rolled ham, which is denser in texture. Bone-in hams tend to take longer to cook, but they offer more flavor as the bone cooks with the meat. Plus, bone-in hams retain more moisture compared to their boneless counterparts.
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Cooking Time for Crockpot Ham
Ham needs to reach an FDA-recommended internal temperature of 140F. And the size and cooked condition are the main determinants of how quickly it takes to be ready. For convenience, it’s always advised to consider precooked ham. And as a rough rule, it takes about four to six hours to cook hams below seven pounds to the approved doneness. And a typical three-pounder will be ready in two to three hours. Also, ensure to set the crockpot to LOW when cooking.
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Crockpot Ham (10 servings)
Ingredients
- One fully cooked ham, seven to eight pounds
- Two cups pineapple juice
- Two cups brown sugar
- Two tablespoons cornstarch
- Two tablespoons water
- 1½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1½ tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Remove the ham from the packaging, and if it’s a bone-in one, remove the cap that covers the bone.
- Combine the mustard, brown sugar, vinegar, and honey in a bowl and spread it all over the ham. Then, drop it in the slow cooker, with the flat side down,
- Cover and cook on LOW for four to six hours, or until it reaches 140F on a meat thermometer. You can also baste it with the pot juice or flip it halfway through the time.
- Once the internal doneness is reached, take the ham out and tent it with foil. Then, let it sit and strain the juice from the slow cooker into a saucepan.
- Cook the sauce at medium heat until it reaches a simmer. Then, whisk slurry from the cornstarch and water, and whisk it into the ham juice. Stir for one or two minutes until it reaches the desired thickness.
- Serve the ham in slices, with the sauce on top.
Another way to monitor cooking time for ham can be watched here.