Is there anything that says “celebration” quite like a glistening, spiral-cut ham taking center stage on the dinner table? Whether it’s Easter, Christmas, or a big Sunday family dinner, ham is a classic favorite. But finding the oven space (and the time!) to baste and bake a large ham can be a real challenge, especially when you’re juggling side dishes.

Contents

Ingredients
Timing
Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker Base
Step 2: Place and Prep the Ham
Step 3: Add Honey and Pineapple
Step 4: Create the Sugar Crust
Step 5: Slow Cook
Step 6: Serve

Nutritional Information
Healthier Alternatives
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing Tips
Conclusion
FAQs

Q1: Can I use a frozen ham?
Q2: My ham is too big for the lid to fit. What do I do?
Q3: Can I use crushed pineapple instead of chunks?
Q4: Can I add spices?

Easy Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Recipe

Description
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?

This Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham recipe is the stress-free solution you’ve been dreaming of. By using your slow cooker, you can achieve a ham that is incredibly moist, tender, and infused with the sweet, tropical flavors of pineapple and brown sugar—all without taking up a single inch of oven space. The result is a sticky, savory-sweet glaze that caramelizes perfectly, creating a main dish that looks impressive but requires minimal effort. Get ready to serve the juiciest ham of your life!

Ingredients

This recipe transforms a simple pre-cooked ham into a gourmet meal with just three flavor-packed ingredients.

Ingredient	Amount/Quantity	Notes
Pre-cooked Spiral Cut Ham	1 (approx. 8-10 lbs)	Bone-in or boneless both work; ensure it fits your slow cooker
Brown Sugar	3 1/2 cups	Divided use; light or dark brown sugar works well
Raw Natural Honey	1/2 cup	Adds a rich, floral sweetness and helps the glaze stick
Pineapple Tidbits or Chunks	1 (20 oz) can	Do not drain! The juice creates the steaming liquid

Timing

This “set it and forget it” meal allows you to focus on other things while the ham becomes tender and flavorful.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 3.5 – 4 hours on Low
Total Time: Approximately 4 hours

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create a succulent ham with a perfectly caramelized glaze.

Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker Base

Take your large crock pot (6-quarts or larger is best) and spread 2 cups of the brown sugar evenly across the bottom.

Actionable Tip: This bottom layer of sugar will melt with the ham juices and pineapple juice to create a rich syrup that steams and flavors the ham from below.

Step 2: Place and Prep the Ham

Place the spiral-cut ham flat-side down (or on its side, depending on shape) on top of the brown sugar layer. Gently use your hands to separate the spiral slices slightly.

Actionable Tip: Separating the slices ensures that the delicious glaze and juices can penetrate deep into the meat, flavoring every single slice, not just the outside.

Step 3: Add Honey and Pineapple

Pour the ½ cup of raw honey evenly over the top of the ham. Next, pour the entire can of pineapple tidbits (juice and all!) over the ham. Let the fruit fall around the sides and try to keep some on top.

Actionable Tip: The acidity in the pineapple juice helps tenderize the meat further while balancing the sweetness of the sugar and honey.

Step 4: Create the Sugar Crust

Top the ham with the remaining 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar. Use your hand to pat it onto the top and sides of the ham, ensuring an even distribution.

Actionable Tip: This top layer is what creates that irresistible, sticky, candy-like crust on the outside of the ham.

Step 5: Slow Cook

Cover the crock pot with the lid. Cook on LOW for 3 ½ – 4 hours.

Actionable Tip: Avoid opening the lid during cooking to keep the heat and moisture trapped inside. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 140°F. Do not overcook, or the ham may dry out.

Step 6: Serve

Carefully remove the ham to a serving platter. Spoon the juices and pineapple chunks from the pot over the ham before serving. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information is an estimate per serving (approx. 4 oz of meat) and can vary based on the specific ham and amount of glaze consumed.

Calories: Approx. 350-450 kcal
Protein: 20-25 g
Carbohydrates: 30-40 g
Fat: 10-15 g
Saturated Fat: 3-5 g
Sugar: 25-35 g (from glaze)
Sodium: High (typical for cured ham)

Healthier Alternatives

While this is a holiday indulgence, you can make adjustments for dietary needs:

Lower Sugar: Reduce the brown sugar to 1 ½ cups total (1 cup bottom, ½ cup top) and use pineapple in juice rather than syrup. You can also try a brown sugar substitute suitable for baking.
Leaner Choice: Choose a lean boneless ham to reduce fat content.
Low Sodium: Look for “lower sodium” ham options at the grocery store, as cured ham is naturally salty.
No Honey: If you are watching sugar spikes, you can omit the honey, though the glaze will be less sticky.

Serving Suggestions

This Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is the star of the show, but it pairs beautifully with classic sides.

Creamy Sides: Serve with scalloped potatoes, macaroni and cheese, or mashed sweet potatoes to balance the savory-sweet ham.
Green Veggies: Roasted green beans, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus provide a fresh, crunchy contrast.
Bread: Dinner rolls or biscuits are perfect for making little ham sliders with the leftovers!
Breakfast: Use leftover slices for a hearty ham and eggs breakfast or dice it up for omelets.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

For the juiciest ham, avoid these common pitfalls:

Overcooking: Since the ham is already precooked, you are essentially just reheating it. Cooking longer than 4 hours on low can dry it out. Solution: Check the temperature at the 3-hour mark.
Using the Wrong Setting: Cooking on High can boil the sugary liquid and potentially dry out the edges. Solution: Stick to the LOW setting for a gentle heat that keeps the meat tender.
Discarding the Juices: The liquid at the bottom of the pot is liquid gold! Solution: Don’t throw it away. Thicken it with a little cornstarch slurry on the stove to make a delicious gravy or sauce to serve alongside.

Storing Tips

Ham leftovers are a gift that keeps on giving!

Refrigerate: Store leftover ham in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
Freeze: Ham freezes exceptionally well. Dice or slice the leftovers and freeze in airtight freezer bags for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before using.
Reheat: Reheat slices gently in a skillet or microwave. To reheat the whole roast, place it in a baking dish with some liquid, cover with foil, and heat at 275°F until warm.

Conclusion

This Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham recipe proves that you don’t need a lot of work to create a holiday-worthy masterpiece. It’s simple, convenient, and delivers consistently delicious results that are sure to impress your guests. The sweet and savory glaze combined with the tender, slow-cooked meat makes every bite a celebration. Free up your oven and let your slow cooker do the work this holiday season!

Ready to try this effortless holiday main dish? Give this recipe a go and let us know what you think in the comments below! We love hearing your feedback. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more easy and delicious family favorites!

FAQs

Q1: Can I use a frozen ham?

No, for food safety reasons and even cooking, you should always thaw your ham completely in the refrigerator before placing it in the slow cooker. A large ham can take 2-3 days to thaw.

Q2: My ham is too big for the lid to fit. What do I do?

You can cover the top of the crock pot tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil to create a seal, and then place the lid on top of the foil (even if it’s tilted). Just ensure no steam is escaping. Alternatively, trim a slice off the bottom of the ham to make it sit lower.

Q3: Can I use crushed pineapple instead of chunks?

Yes! Crushed pineapple works just as well and creates a thicker, more textured sauce. Pineapple rings are also a beautiful option for presentation.

Q4: Can I add spices?

Absolutely. A pinch of ground cloves, cinnamon, or nutmeg sprinkled over the brown sugar adds a wonderful warm spice flavor that complements the ham perfectly.