Slow-Cooked Honey Glazed Ham (Printable)

Tender ham slow-cooked and sweetly glazed with honey and spices for holiday gatherings.

# Ingredient List:

→ Ham

01 - 1 fully cooked bone-in ham, trimmed (approximately 5–6 lbs)

→ Glaze

02 - 1 cup honey
03 - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
04 - 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
05 - 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
06 - 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

→ Aromatics

09 - 1 orange, sliced
10 - 6 whole cloves

# Directions:

01 - Place the ham flat side down in a large slow cooker. Score the surface in a diamond pattern and stud with whole cloves.
02 - Whisk honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, whole-grain mustard, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves together 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 the glaze.
05 - Once heated through and tender, transfer ham to a cutting board.
06 - Pour remaining glaze into a saucepan and simmer over medium heat until thickened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
07 - Slice the ham and brush slices with the thickened glaze before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The slow cooker does all the work while the glaze thickens into something glossy and irresistible.
  • It fills your home with the kind of warmth that makes people linger in the kitchen.
  • Leftovers turn into sandwiches so good you'll plan meals around them.
  • The honey and spice balance feels fancy but comes together in minutes.
02 -
  • Don't skip the basting—it's the difference between a ham that's just warm and one that's lacquered with flavor.
  • If your slow cooker runs hot, check the ham at 5 hours; overcooked ham gets stringy and dry.
  • Let the glaze reduce properly or it will slide off the meat instead of clinging to it.
03 -
  • Line your slow cooker with parchment or foil for easier cleanup—the glaze hardens as it cools.
  • Save the ham bone for soup; it's liquid gold simmered with beans or lentils.
  • If the glaze starts to burn on the edges, add a splash of water or apple juice to loosen it.
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