A slow cooker is the key to cooking a delicious ham. If you only use simple ingredients, the meat will always be moist and great for dinners or sandwiches. Let us show you how to cook ham in a slow cooker.
In her slow cooker, my mother-in-law made the best ham. I hope to be able to make it just as well one day. Somehow she managed to get it so tender that it could practically be shredded with a fork. She knew exactly how long to cook her ham.
I’ve tried to make it like her before, but every time I overcooked it. I am determined, though, to perfect it since I received a Set ‘n Forget® 6 Qt. Programmable Slow Cooker With Spoon/Lid. The Set ‘n Forget® is not your grandma’s slow cooker – it is a sleek, modern-age technological wonder. In a moment, I will tell you more about it. But first, let me show you a simple way to slowly cook a ham.
Ham can dry out in the slow cooker. My mother-in-law would pour a can of Mountain Dew over her ham to keep it moist. To avoid extra additives (high fructose corn syrup, etc. Instead of soda, I mix 1 1/4 cups of water with 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar.
Then I put the temperature probe in and cover the slow cooker. I set the slow cooker to LOW heat and tell it to reach at least 145 degrees.
Once the meat hits that temperature, the Set ‘n Forget® automatically switches to the WARM setting.
While I haven’t reached the point of the ham shredding, I haven’t overcooked it either. Since ham should be cooked until it reaches at least 145 degrees and no more than 160 degrees, I know I can raise the temperature setting without making it too done. I am going to try again and again until I find the right temperature. One day I will be able to cook ham like my husband’s mother does.
With the temperature programmed to 145 – 150, ham comes out slice-able and delicious. It is great paired with green beans and macaroni & cheese.
Country ham is a traditional Southern delicacy that’s packed with bold, salty flavor. While country ham is traditionally cured and smoked, it can also be cooked to tender perfection in a slow cooker or crock pot. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make delicious country ham at home.
What is Country Ham?
Country ham refers to a dry-cured and smoked ham that originated in the Southern United States It differs from a regular fully-cooked deli ham in a few ways
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Country ham has a much stronger, saltier flavor since it’s cured for months or years.
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The meat is smoked after curing to add even more flavor,
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Country ham is usually not pre-cooked, so it needs to be prepared before eating.
Country ham can be enjoyed sliced thin for biscuits or sandwiches. It also shines when cooked low and slow in soups, beans, or a pot of greens. Let’s look at how to cook country ham in a crock pot or slow cooker.
Benefits of Cooking Country Ham in a Crock Pot
Using a crock pot is one of the easiest ways to prepare country ham at home. Here are some of the benefits:
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Requires only a few ingredients – just ham, sugar, and spices.
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Perfectly tenderizes the salty, dense meat.
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Infuses the ham with lots of flavor.
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Minimal hands-on time – just load and turn on!
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Makes the house smell amazing.
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Keeps the ham warm for serving.
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Frees up your oven for other dishes.
Tips for Choosing a Country Ham
When buying a country ham for crock pot cooking, keep these tips in mind:
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Choose an uncooked country ham between 5-7 pounds. Bigger hams may not fit.
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Look for a boneless ham to make carving easier. Bone-in hams work too.
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Select a ham labeled “fresh” rather than aged or very salty. It will be more mild.
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Consider a spiral sliced ham for faster cooking and absorbing glaze flavors.
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Avoid very thin sliced hams, which may overcook and dry out.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for juicy, flavorful crock pot country ham.
Prep the ham: Unwrap ham and trim off any skin or excess fat. Score the top of the ham in a crosshatch pattern about 1⁄4 inch deep. This helps the glaze seep in.
Make the glaze: Whisk together 1⁄2 cup brown sugar, 1⁄4 cup honey, 1⁄4 cup apple juice, and spices like ginger and cloves.
Load the slow cooker: Pour a bit of glaze over the bottom of a 6-qt slow cooker. Add ham and coat all over with more glaze.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours until ham is very tender. Re-glaze and flip ham halfway through.
Rest and serve: When done, let ham rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Spoon over pan juices and enjoy!
Tips for Crock Pot Country Ham Success
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Cook times vary based on ham size. Plan for 1-2 hours per pound.
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Add liquid like broth, juice, or cola to help keep ham moist.
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Foil tents can prevent over-browning if needed.
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Let ham rest before slicing for easier carving and juicier meat.
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Use a meat thermometer to check doneness; aim for 140°F internally.
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Leftover crock pot ham keeps for 4-5 days refrigerated. Freeze slices up to 2 months.
Flavorful Glaze Ideas
One of the best parts of crock pot ham is the sweet, sticky glaze. Feel free to get creative with your own! Here are some tasty glaze ideas:
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Brown sugar glaze – Brown sugar, honey, ginger, cloves
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Cola glaze – Cola, brown sugar, mustard
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Apple juice glaze – Apple juice, maple syrup, cinnamon
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Bourbon glaze – Bourbon, molasses, mustard
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Orange glaze – Orange juice, honey, rosemary
Make a Meal with Crock Pot Country Ham
Don’t let the leftovers go to waste! Country ham cooked in the crock pot is extremely versatile. Try these delicious ways to use it:
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Slice for sandwiches or biscuits
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Dice and add to casseroles or pasta
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Chop and mix into potato salad or macaroni salad
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Pair with redeye gravy for breakfast
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Cube ham for soup beans or veggie soup
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Stuff into omelets, quiches, and frittatas
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Toss with roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes
With this easy method, you can enjoy tender, fully-flavored country ham any time – no salt curing or smoking required!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between regular ham and country ham?
Country ham is dry cured with salt and smoked for a much stronger, saltier flavor. Regular ham is wet cured, smoked or unsmoked, and pre-cooked for quick use.
Can I use a spiral sliced pre-cooked ham?
Yes, spiral cut hams work well for absorbing the glaze flavors quickly. Cook until warmed through and tender.
My country ham won’t fit in my slow cooker. What should I do?
You can cut the ham in half and stack the pieces, or wrap the exposed areas in foil to prevent drying out. Cooking times may take longer.
Is it safe to eat country ham without cooking it?
It’s not recommended to eat uncooked country hams without heating first to kill potential bacteria. Always cook country hams to an internal temperature of 140°F.
Can I use raw fresh ham in the slow cooker instead?
No, only cured country hams or pre-cooked hams should be used. Raw fresh pork needs to reach food-safe temperatures fast, so crock pots are not ideal.
With this handy guide, you can impress guests with your own homemade country ham using just a slow cooker. The delicious flavors of the South are only a glaze away!
How To Cook Ham in a Slow Cooker
- Remove packaging and netting from ham. Place in a slow cooker.
- Pour water and apple cider vinegar over the ham. Turn the heat down to low and cover. Cook for 8 hours, or until the thermometer reads at least 145 degrees.
- 1 picnic ham approximately 6-8 pounds
- 1 ¼ cups water
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- Remove packaging and netting from ham. Place in slow cooker.
- Pour water and apple cider vinegar over ham. Put the lid on and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the thermometer reads 145 degrees.