Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham

Name: Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham (Slow Cooker)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 10 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 lb spiral sliced ham, bone-in or boneless; 1/4 cup honey; 2 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1/2 cup pineapple juice, reserved from can; 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 1 (11 oz) jar pineapple bourbon ham glaze; 1/4 tsp ground cloves; 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 (20 oz) can pineapple slices, drained; non-stick cooking spray; toothpicks, as needed; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 2 tbsp cold water

Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is a tender, glazed spiral-sliced ham cooked effortlessly in a slow cooker with a sweet and savory combination of brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and pineapple. The caramelized glaze and warm spices make it an elegant centerpiece requiring minimal hands-on work.

🌍American 🏷️Ham 🏷️Pineapple ham 🏷️Brown sugar ham 🏷️Holiday meal Easter

🏷️

🏷️Christmas

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dinnerin321onTikTok

Total

5h 10m

Servings

12

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$25–$41

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by dinnerin321

-0:00

dinnerin321onTikTok

Ingredients

8 lb spiral sliced ham, bone-in or boneless
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 cup pineapple juice, reserved from can
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 (11 oz) jar pineapple bourbon ham glaze
1/4 tsp ground clovesoptional
1/4 tsp ground cinnamonoptional
1 (20 oz) can pineapple slices, drainedoptional
non-stick cooking spray
toothpicks, as neededoptional
1 tbsp cornstarchoptional
2 tbsp cold wateroptional

13 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and pineapple bourbon ham glaze. Add optional ground cloves and cinnamon if desired.
2
Spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
3
Place the spiral sliced ham into the prepared slow cooker.
4
Pour the glaze mixture evenly over the top of the ham, ensuring the entire surface is coated.
5
Optionally, arrange pineapple slices on top of the ham and secure them with toothpicks.
6
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
7
Baste the ham with the juices from the bottom of the slow cooker every 45 minutes.
8
Once cooked, carefully remove the ham from the slow cooker and place it on a serving platter.
9
For an optional gravy, pour the remaining juices from the slow cooker into a saucepan. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the juices in the saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until thickened.
10
Serve the ham warm, drizzled with the thickened gravy.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Score the ham's surface lightly in a crosshatch pattern before adding glaze so it penetrates and caramelizes evenly.
Arrange pineapple slices on top during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent them from breaking down completely while allowing them to absorb the glaze.
Use the slow cooker's low setting rather than high; low heat keeps the ham moist and allows the glaze to reduce and thicken properly without drying out the meat.
Reserve the pan drippings after cooking—they make an excellent sauce or gravy to serve alongside the ham.

Substitutions

Pineapple juice → orange juice or apple juice (flavor shifts but glaze caramelizes similarly)
Brown sugar → white sugar (less molasses flavor, but sweetness remains; may require 2-3 minutes additional cooking for caramelization)
Honey → maple syrup (adds earthiness; use equal amount)
Ground cloves and cinnamon → nutmeg or allspice (maintains warm spice profile with different character)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftover ham covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 325°F oven for 15-20 minutes or slice and warm gently in a skillet. Freeze sliced ham in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Equipment

slow cooker (5-6 quart capacity recommended for 8 lb ham)

Common Questions

How long does ham cook in a slow cooker?

Spiral-sliced ham typically cooks on low for 4-5 hours in a slow cooker. Cook time depends on ham size and whether it's bone-in or boneless; check that the internal temperature reaches 140°F.

Can I make this ham ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the glaze and assemble in the slow cooker the night before, refrigerate, then cook when ready. Alternatively, cook the ham fully, cool, and reheat gently in a 325°F oven for 30-45 minutes.

What can I substitute for pineapple juice?

Orange juice, apple juice, or additional honey mixed with water work as substitutes. The flavor will shift slightly but the glaze will still caramelize and coat the ham.

Do I need to use the pineapple bourbon ham glaze?

No. The recipe works with just the brown sugar, honey, Dijon, pineapple juice, and spices. The pre-made glaze adds convenience and depth of flavor but is optional.

How should I reheat leftover ham?

Slice leftover ham and reheat in a covered baking dish at 325°F for 15-20 minutes, or warm gently in a skillet over low heat. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.