Unveil the magic of slow cooking with this Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham, a recipe that transforms a simple ham into a succulent, sweet, and savory delight. Perfect for holidays, special occasions, or a comforting family dinner, this dish marries the rich flavors of ham with the tropical sweetness of pineapple and the caramel notes of brown sugar. The crock pot does all the work, slowly infusing the ham with these complementary flavors, resulting in a tender, flavorful dish that’s as effortless as it is delicious. Let’s embark on creating this crowd-pleasing dish that’s sure to become a staple for your festive gatherings.
Why You’ll Love Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham:
Effortless Cooking: Minimal preparation required, freeing up your time for other activities or relaxation.
Flavorful and Juicy: The slow cooking process ensures the ham absorbs all the sweet and tangy flavors, making every bite a delight.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for holidays, potlucks, or any time you need a satisfying, crowd-pleasing main dish.
Versatile Leftovers: Delicious in sandwiches, salads, or as part of creative leftover meals.
Ingredients Notes For Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham:
Ham: A pre-cooked, spiral-sliced ham works best for this recipe, making it easy to serve and ensuring even flavor distribution.
Brown Sugar: Forms a sweet glaze that complements the savory ham.
Pineapple: Use canned pineapple rings or chunks in juice (not syrup) for added moisture and a fruity flavor.
Mustard (Optional): A tablespoon of Dijon mustard can enhance the glaze with a tangy depth.
Recipe Steps:
Prepare the Crock Pot: Line your crock pot with a liner or lightly grease it to make cleanup easier.
Layer the Ingredients: Place the ham cut side down in the crock pot. Sprinkle the ham with brown sugar, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Arrange pineapple rings or chunks around and on top of the ham. If using, drizzle mustard over the ham.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the ham is heated through and the flavors have melded. Baste the ham with the juices and pineapple chunks halfway through cooking.
Serve: Carefully transfer the ham to a serving platter. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with the pineapple and some of the cooking juices drizzled over the top.
Storage Options:
Refrigerate: Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze slices or chunks of ham in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
INGREDIENTS
1 bone-in spiral cut ham (about 5–7 pounds, depending on your crock pot size)
1 cup brown sugar
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple tidbits or chunks in juice, not drained
1/2 cup honey (optional for extra sweetness and glaze)
1 teaspoon ground cloves (optional for added spice)
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare the Ham:
If necessary, trim the ham to fit into your slow cooker. Leave the netting or packaging on the ham while you trim it, then remove before cooking.
Add Brown Sugar Layer:
Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of brown sugar on the bottom of the crock pot.
Place Ham in Crock Pot:
Place the ham, flat side down, into the crock pot on top of the brown sugar layer.
Add Pineapple and Honey:
Pour the entire can of pineapple tidbits or chunks, including the juice, over the ham. If using honey, drizzle it over the top of the ham. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of brown sugar over the pineapple and ham. If desired, sprinkle ground cloves over the top for added spice.
Cook:
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, or until the ham is heated through and tender. Avoid lifting the lid too often to check on the ham, as this can release heat and increase cooking time.
Baste the Ham:
During the last hour of cooking, baste the ham with the juices collected at the bottom of the crock pot. If your slow cooker has a warm setting, you can switch to it once the ham is fully heated and let it sit until ready to serve, basting occasionally.
Serve:
Carefully remove the ham from the crock pot to a serving platter. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. Meanwhile, you can reduce the cooking juices in a saucepan over medium-high heat to make a thicker glaze, if desired. Pour some of the glaze over the ham before serving, and serve the rest on the side.
