Slow Cooker Honey Ham

This is a recipe for slow-cooker honey ham with pineapple juice, brown sugar, and red wine. It turns out tender and juicy.

Ham is my favorite main dish for Thanksgiving and Easter. It comes out with more flavor than a turkey or roasted chicken. But I prefer it to be a sweeter Crockpot ham with pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, and red wine.

It turns the juice into a tasty glaze for the ham, and it’s so tender when it’s slow-cooked. The flavors are absorbed into the slices of ham, and it turns out really juicy!

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Pineapple Ham

• Cured and Precooked Bone-In Spiral Cut Ham (Boneless ham can be used as well)
• Pineapple Juice
• Brown Sugar
• Honey
• Red Wine (We like Lambrusco for ham.)

Choosing a Ham

The ham for this recipe has been cured and precooked prior to placing it in the slow cooker.

If your ham says “fresh ham,” it is likely not cured or cooked. An uncooked ham needs to reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit during the cooking process in order to be safe for eating.

A ham that is pre-cooked simply needs to be heated through to the center, but in this recipe we also want it to be very tender so that the meat falls off the bone.

While this is a recipe for sliced ham, an unsliced one can be used as well. The flavors do not get a chance to really penetrate the inside of the ham, however.

How to Make Slow Cooker Ham with Pineapple

• Remove the ham from the wrapper and netting. Remove any plastic pieces that may be in the ham.
• Add the brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, and wine to the crock pot. Stir until well blended. It will make a delicious glaze as it cooks.
• Place the ham in the crock pot and ladle the pineapple mixture over the ham.
• Pull some of the slices of ham apart and pour the mixture in between the layers.
• Cover with the lid. Cook on HIGH for 4-6 hours or LOW for 8-10 hours.
• Optional: If you like pineapple slices, they can be added to the ham during the cooking process. I like to sear mine on the stove to give them a caramelized color.
• To serve the ham, remove the bone from the center. It will be fall-off-the-bone ready.

Best Side Dishes for Ham

• Bacon, Mushrooms, and Green Beans
• Cheesy Potatoes
• Classic Deviled Eggs
• Garlic Bread Stuffing
• Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots
• Instant Pot Applesauce
• Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Rustic Green Bean Casserole

Tips for Slow Cooker Honey Ham

Use a fully cooked ham. Most spiral-cut hams are already cooked, so the slow cooker is mainly reheating it while adding flavor and keeping it moist.

Place the ham cut-side down. This helps keep the exposed portion from drying out while it cooks.

Don't add too much liquid. Ham releases quite a bit of moisture as it heats, so you usually only need the honey glaze rather than extra broth or water.

Spoon the glaze between the slices. If using a spiral ham, gently separate a few of the slices so the honey mixture can work its way inside.

Avoid overcooking. Heat just until the center reaches about 140°F for a fully cooked ham. Cooking much longer can make the edges dry.

Use LOW when possible. Slow, gentle heating keeps the ham more tender than cooking it too aggressively on HIGH.

Baste during cooking. Spoon some of the juices from the bottom of the slow cooker over the ham once or twice for extra flavor and moisture.

Thicken the glaze if desired. Transfer some of the cooking liquid to a saucepan and simmer for 8-12 minutes until slightly reduced, then brush it over the ham before serving.

Recommended Recipes

• 11 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes
• 34 Easy Air Fryer Easter Recipes
• Air Fryer Ham with Honey Glaze
• Cheesy Leftover Ham and Potatoes
• Crown Rib Roast
• Garlic Herb Roasted Cornish Hens
• Pork Medallions
• Pork Schnitzel
• Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Pork Tenderloin
• Slow Cooker Turkey Breast