Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham with Pineapple and Brown Sugar

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A tender slow-cooked ham glazed with honey, brown sugar, and pineapple juice for a sweet and savory holiday centerpiece. This American-inspired holiday recipe, ready in about 310 minutes, pairs smoked ham, honey, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 300 min Serves 8 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 5 lbs smoked ham in a slow cooker. In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1 cup pineapple juice, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1/2 tsp ground cloves until smooth.
  2. Step 2: Pour glaze evenly over the ham, cover slow cooker, and cook on low for 4-5 hours, basting with the glaze every hour.
  3. Step 3: About 30 minutes before serving, arrange 6 pineapple rings and 12 maraschino cherries on the ham, spoon glaze over, and cook uncovered for 30 more minutes until caramelized and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Let ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving with the glaze.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham with Pineapple and Brown Sugar take to make?

Total time is about 310 minutes (10 min prep + 300 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham with Pineapple and Brown Sugar?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep smoked ham from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham with Pineapple and Brown Sugar?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham with Pineapple and Brown Sugar for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham with Pineapple and Brown Sugar?

American holiday like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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