Welcome
This recipe shows you how to make a sweet, sticky, and tender ham in a slow cooker. It uses orange juice and honey for a bright, warm glaze. The slow cooker does most of the work, so you can enjoy a great meal with little fuss. For a cozy drink to serve nearby, try a warm slow cooker hot chocolate that pairs well with the sweet glaze.
INTRODUCTION
Slow Cooker Orange Honey Ham is simple and sure to please a crowd. You use a fully cooked spiral ham and make a fresh orange and honey glaze that turns glossy and slightly crisp. The slow cooker keeps the ham moist and lets the glaze soak into the meat. This recipe fits holiday tables, family dinners, or any day you want a special main dish without long oven time.
This method saves oven space and keeps your kitchen cool. It also makes the ham evenly warm and gives you time to prepare sides while the slow cooker works. The glaze is made on the stove and then added to the ham, so you get a fresh citrus flavor that is not too sweet. The cloves and mustard add depth without overpowering the orange and honey.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
You will love this ham because it is easy and tastes like a restaurant meal. The slow cooker does the slow, low heat that makes the ham tender. The glaze caramelizes slowly and gives a crunchy, brown crust on top. You do not need long oven time, and the cleanup is quick.
This recipe uses common pantry spices: ground ginger, ground mustard, brown sugar, and whole cloves. They mix with orange juice and honey to make a glaze that is bright and warm. The ham stays juicy because the cooker traps steam and heat. If you want a different drink with this ham, try a floral cup like a chamomile rose tea latte to cut the sweetness and refresh the palate.
The slow cooker method also helps if you cook other dishes at the same time. You can keep the ham warm and ready for hours without drying it out. The glaze can be added slowly as the ham cooks, which lets you build flavor and texture in layers.
HOW TO MAKE Slow Cooker Orange Honey Ham
This section walks you through the full process. Read each step before you start. The ham is fully cooked to begin with, so the goal is to heat it through and build a sticky, caramelized glaze.
Start by scoring the ham and adding a few cloves to the top. Make the glaze on the stove so the flavors blend and reduce. Add half the glaze early so the ham soaks up flavor. Add more glaze as it cooks to get a glossy, crunchy top. Finish with frequent glazing in the last hour so the surface darkens and becomes slightly crisp.
Work safely when cutting and scoring the ham. Use a sharp knife and a stable cutting surface. Place the ham in the slow cooker flat side down so the scored side faces up and gets the glaze.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Slow cooker large enough for an 8 to 10 pound ham.
- Sharp chef’s knife for scoring.
- Cutting board.
- Medium saucepan to make the glaze.
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Spoon or ladle for glazing.
- Tongs or large spatula to lift the ham out when done.
Ingredients You’ll Need :
8 to 10 pound fully cooked spiral cut ham, 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 large orange, thinly sliced, 1 cup orange juice, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground mustard, 2 teaspoons whole cloves, divided
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS :
Place ham in slow cooker flat/cut side down. Score the end facing up, by using a sharp knife to make criss cross marks about 1/8 inch deep. Push about 1 teaspoon of the cloves into top of ham. In a medium sized saucepan, combine honey, orange slices, orange juice, sugar, ginger and mustard, and the remaining teaspoon of cloves. Cook on medium for 5 minutes, until the glaze has reduced in half. Drizzle half of the glaze mixture over ham, saving half the glaze to drizzle as it cooks. Cover slow cooker and cook on low 4 to 5 hours. Add more glaze every hour of cooking, and in the last hour, add more glaze every 25 minutes. When ham has developed a crunchy, dark brown glaze, remove from pan and serve immediately.
HOW TO SERVE Slow Cooker Orange Honey Ham
Let the ham rest for 10 minutes after you remove it from the slow cooker. This helps the glaze set and makes slicing neater. Use a sharp carving knife and cut thin slices along the spiral. Arrange the slices on a warm platter and spoon any pan juices or leftover glaze over the top.
Serve the ham with warm sides like mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, or steamed green beans. For a cold, bright drink that matches the orange notes, a citrus refresher works well. Try a fruity option like this cran-merry orange lemonade refresher to bring a tart contrast to the sweet ham.
If you have extra glaze, warm it and pour a little over the ham at the table so each guest can add more if they like. Leftover ham works well in sandwiches, salads, or omelets.
STORAGE & FREEZING : Slow Cooker Orange Honey Ham
Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Slice the ham before storing if you plan to use small portions often. Keep any extra glaze in a separate container and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
To freeze, wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently in a low oven or in a covered pan on low heat, adding a little of the saved glaze or orange juice to keep meat moist.
If you freeze the whole ham, make sure it is well wrapped to avoid freezer burn. Thaw fully before reheating.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Pair with mashed sweet potatoes and green beans for a classic plate.
- Add a simple salad with a light vinaigrette to cut the sweetness.
- Glazed carrots or honey roasted root vegetables echo the glaze flavors.
- For a brunch, slice the ham thin and serve on warm biscuits with a little mustard.
- Leftover ham makes great fried rice or a savory quiche.
Keep sides simple and fresh to balance the rich ham. A steamed green vegetable or a crisp slaw adds color and texture.
VARIATIONS
- Maple Orange Ham: Replace half of the honey with maple syrup for a deeper sweet note.
- Spiced Citrus Ham: Add a pinch of cinnamon and a dash of cloves in the glaze for warm spice.
- Bourbon Glaze: Stir 1 to 2 tablespoons of bourbon into the glaze while it cooks for a mellow, smoky note.
- Pineapple Orange Ham: Add canned pineapple slices on top in the last hour for a tropical touch.
- Low Sugar: Use a sugar substitute designed for cooking and reduce brown sugar to 1/2 cup for less sweetness.
These small changes let you match the ham to your tastes or the season.
FAQs
Q: Can I use a smaller ham in the slow cooker?
A: Yes. Reduce the cooking time to 3 to 4 hours on low for a 4 to 6 pound ham. Check the glaze often.
Q: Do I need to add liquid to the slow cooker?
A: No extra liquid is needed. The glaze and the ham’s own juices create enough steam. The orange juice in the glaze helps keep the ham moist.
Q: Can I cook this on high if I am short on time?
A: You can, but the glaze may not have time to reduce and caramelize fully. Cook on high for about 2 to 3 hours, but watch the glaze and add it more often.
Q: How do I get the glaze to be crunchy and dark without burning?
A: Add glaze in layers and increase the frequency of glazing in the last hour. This builds the crust slowly. If a spot looks too dark, reduce the glaze or move the ham slightly if your slow cooker allows.
Q: Is the ham safe to eat since it starts fully cooked?
A: Yes. The ham is fully cooked when you start. The goal is to heat it to serving temperature. Slow heating preserves moisture and makes the glaze stick.
Q: Can I use a bone-in ham?
A: Yes. Make sure the ham fits in your slow cooker. A bone-in ham may take a bit longer to heat through, so add time as needed.
MAKE-AHEAD TIPS FOR Slow Cooker Orange Honey Ham
- Make the glaze a day ahead and refrigerate it. Warm it slowly before using and stir to combine.
- Score and clove the ham, then cover and keep refrigerated until you are ready to cook.
- If you prepare sides, keep them warm in the oven while the ham rests. This helps the meal come together fast.
- You can cook the ham a few hours early and keep it on the warm setting in the slow cooker. Reheat briefly on low if it cools too much, and add glaze before serving to restore the shine.
These steps save time on the day of your meal and help you stay calm while you finish other dishes.
Slow Cooker Orange Honey Ham
Ingredients
Method
- Place the ham in the slow cooker, flat side down, with the scored side facing up.
- Score the top of the ham using a sharp knife to make criss-cross marks about 1/8 inch deep.
- Push about 1 teaspoon of the cloves into the top of the ham.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine honey, orange slices, orange juice, brown sugar, ground ginger, ground mustard, and the remaining teaspoon of cloves.
- Cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, until the glaze has reduced in half.
- Drizzle half of the glaze mixture over the ham, saving the other half to drizzle later.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.
- Add more glaze every hour of cooking, and in the last hour, add more glaze every 25 minutes.
- When the ham has developed a crunchy, dark brown glaze, remove it from the slow cooker and serve immediately.
- Let the ham rest for 10 minutes after removing it from the slow cooker.
- Slice thinly along the spiral and arrange on a warm platter.
- Spoon any pan juices or leftover glaze over the top before serving.