Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham

Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is the perfect holiday ham. My 3 ingredient crock pot spiral ham is super easy to make and has a delicious brown sugar glaze. Since you make the ham in the slow cooker, it’s easy to set and forget.

Holiday hams are a staple for dinner. Here are a few more to try copycat honey baked ham recipe and my honey mustard glazed ham.

Why this Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Recipe is a Keeper

This Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham recipe is a definite keeper for a multitude of reasons, making it a reliable and delicious centerpiece for any gathering:

• Effortless Convenience: The slow cooker does the majority of the work, freeing up oven space and minimizing hands-on time. 
• Tender and Juicy Results: The slow, gentle cooking process ensures the ham remains incredibly moist and tender, preventing it from drying out. 
• Sweet and Savory Flavor Balance: The combination of dark brown sugar and pineapple creates a delightful sweet and savory glaze that perfectly complements the salty ham. 
• Versatility: It’s perfect for holiday dinners, family gatherings, or even casual weeknight meals.
• Crowd-Pleasing Appeal: It’s a dish that people love at all ages, making it a reliable choice for any occasion.
• Aromatic and Festive: The sweet and fruity aroma from the ham in a crockpot that fills your home while it cooks is incredibly inviting and festive.
• Easy Customization: You can easily adjust the flavors to your liking, adding different spices, fruits or glaze ingredients.
• Leftovers are Delicious: Leftover ham can be used in countless ways, from sandwiches and soups to casseroles and breakfast dishes.
• Beautiful Presentation: The pineapple rings create a beautiful presentation in the easy crock pot boneless spiral ham.

How Do I Prevent the Ham from Drying Out?

The best way to ensure the ham does not dry out is to baste regularly. Basting the ham with the glaze every hour or so keeps it moist and flavorful.

Ingredient Notes and Variation Suggestions for the Glazed Cook Ham

All of the required ingredients are easy to find at the store, but there may even be some in the kitchen already. Feel free to use different ingredients to substitute or experiment with flavors in this easy recipe.

Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.

• Ham: Use a spiral sliced ham to easily insert the pineapple slices.
  • Ham Variations: Use a smoked ham to make slow cooker ham recipes. Feel free to either use boneless ham or use a bone-in ham.
• Pineapple: It’s best to use pineapple slices to make this recipe rather than pineapple tidbits or crushed pineapple. It’s also possible to use fresh pineapple but I will need to add some pineapple juice.
• Glaze Variations: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar, soy sauce or bourbon to the glaze. Feel free to also try a honey mustard glaze in this crock pot recipe for ham.

Special Equipment Needed for Brown Sugar Ham

Sometimes the right piece of equipment is needed to make a recipe. In this case, all that you need is a crock pot.

• Slow Cooker: To make crockpot ham just right, I need to cook it low and really slow. Use a 6 quart slow cooker to make sure the ham fits in your crock pot.

How to Make Brown Sugar and Pineapple Glazed Ham

This recipe comes together in 3 quick and easy steps. This spiral ham in crock pot is so good, it quickly became one of my favorite recipes.

Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.

1. Add Meat to Slow Cooker: Place half of the light brown sugar on the bottom of the crock pot then place the ham on top.
2. Add Pineapple: Put the pineapple rings between the ham slices and pour the pineapple juice on top of the ham. Add the remaining brown sugar on top.
3. Cook the Ham: Turn the crock pot on to low and cook for 3 ½ to 4 hours. Serve fully cooked ham right after slow cook.

Prep Ahead Suggestions to Cook a Ham in the Slow Cooker

Prepping slow cooker spiral ham ahead of time can really help to save time and kitchen space if hosting holiday dinner.

• Prepare the Glaze: Whisk together the brown sugar, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, and any other glaze ingredients. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Score the Ham (Optional): If scoring the ham, do this ahead of time. Cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator until I’m ready to make spiral crock pot ham.
• Chop the Pineapple (If Using Fresh): Cut the fresh pineapple into rings or chunks and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Measure Spices: If you are using dry spices, measure them out, and store them in a small container.

Common Questions About This Dinner Recipe