Slow Cooker Maple-Glazed Ham with Clove and Brown Sugar Crust
A tender slow-cooked ham glazed with a rich maple syrup and spiced brown sugar crust, perfect for celebrating American federal holidays with a festive centerpiece. This American-inspired holiday recipe, ready in about 320 minutes, pairs bone-in smoked ham, pure maple syrup, 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 10, 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.
Ingredients
- 6 pounds bone-in smoked ham
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 20 whole cloves
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Score the surface of the 6-pound bone-in smoked ham in a diamond pattern about 1/4 inch deep, then stud the intersections with 20 whole cloves evenly spaced.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; whisk until smooth and glossy.
- Step 3: Place the ham in a slow cooker, and brush the maple-brown sugar glaze all over the surface, reserving a small amount for later.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, basting with the glaze every hour, until the ham is heated through and the crust is caramelized and fragrant.
- Step 5: For a finishing touch, transfer the ham to a baking sheet and broil for 3-4 minutes to deepen the glaze color, watching carefully to prevent burning, then rest 10 minutes before slicing.








