Slow-Cooked Honey Glazed Ham (Printable)

Tender slow-cooked ham glazed with spiced honey, perfect for festive meals and gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Ham

01 - 1 fully cooked bone-in ham, trimmed (11–13 lbs)

→ Glaze

02 - 1 cup honey
03 - ½ cup packed brown sugar
04 - ¼ cup Dijon mustard
05 - ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
06 - 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
07 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

→ Aromatics

09 - 1 orange, sliced
10 - 6 whole cloves

# Step-by-step Directions:

01 - Place the ham flat side down in a large slow cooker. Score the surface in a diamond pattern and insert whole cloves into the intersections.
02 - Whisk together honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, whole-grain mustard, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves in a medium bowl.
03 - Pour the glaze evenly over the ham. Arrange orange slices around the ham inside the slow cooker.
04 - Cover and cook on low heat for 6 hours, basting occasionally with glaze to keep the ham moist.
05 - Transfer the ham to a cutting board once tender and heated through. Pour the remaining glaze into a saucepan and simmer over medium heat until thickened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
06 - Slice the ham and brush with the thickened glaze before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The slow cooker does all the work while you handle everything else without stress.
  • That honey glaze caramelizes into something sweet, tangy, and impossible to stop eating.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day in sandwiches or scrambled eggs.
02 -
  • Do not skip the basting because it keeps the top from drying out and builds up layers of flavor.
  • Thickening the glaze at the end transforms it from watery to luxurious and makes every bite shine.
03 -
  • Check the label to make sure your ham is fully cooked so you are just heating and glazing, not worrying about internal temps.
  • Line your slow cooker with parchment if you want easier cleanup, though the glaze usually wipes away without much fuss.
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