Ham loaf is a classic comfort food that’s easy to make and perfect for feeding a crowd. By making ham loaf in the crockpot, you can ensure moist, tender results with little hands-on effort. But knowing exactly how long to cook a ham loaf in the slow cooker can be tricky.
Follow this guide to learn how long to cook ham loaf of any size in the crockpot, along with tips for maximizing flavor and getting the best possible results every time.
Factors That Determine Crockpot Ham Loaf Cook Times
Several key factors impact how long it takes to cook ham loaf in a slow cooker
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Loaf size – Larger loaves take longer to cook through than smaller, individual-sized loaves
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Meat and ingredients – Loaves with a higher ratio of ham to other ingredients may cook faster than those with more fillers.
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Fat content – Fattier meats like pork sausage cook slower than lean ground turkey or chicken.
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Liquid added – More moist loaves cook slower than drier ones.
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Appliance wattage – Higher wattage crockpots heat faster than lower wattage ones.
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Quantity cooked – Cooking multiple loaves adds to the total cooking time.
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Timer settings – Newer programmable crockpots may cook faster than older, manual versions.
Choosing the Right Crockpot Settings
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Low heat – Ideal for all-day cooking while you’re away to ensure tender results.
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High heat – Only recommended for small or individual loaves to prevent overcooking.
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Timed setting – Convenient if your crockpot has auto-switch to warm.
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Manual operation – Requires monitoring but gives you more control.
No matter what setting you use, always cook ham loaf on low heat for the first half of the cooking time before switching to high heat. This allows the interior to gradually come up to temperature.
Crockpot Cook Times for Ham Loaf by Size
Use these general guidelines based on loaf size as a starting point:
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Mini (1 lb): High 3 hours, Low 5-6 hours
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Small (2 lbs): High 4 hours, Low 6-8 hours
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Medium (3 lbs): High 5 hours, Low 8-10 hours
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Large (4 lbs): High 6 hours, Low 10-12 hours
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Jumbo (5 lbs): High 7 hours, Low 12-14 hours
Times are based on high (300°F) and low (200°F) default crockpot temperatures. Always verify doneness instead of going solely by cook time.
How to Tell When Ham Loaf is Fully Cooked
It’s important to accurately determine doneness to prevent undercooked ham loaf. Signs it’s done:
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Internal temperature reaches 160°F on a meat thermometer
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A knife inserted in the center comes out clean
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Meat is fork-tender with no pink color
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Top is lightly browned (if cooked uncovered)
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Sauce is bubbly around edges if using
The safest way to check for doneness is using an instant-read thermometer. If the internal temp is below 160°F, re-cover and cook for 30-60 more minutes until reaching a safe minimum temperature.
Tips for the Best Crockpot Ham Loaf
Follow these tips for outrageously delicious ham loaf from your slow cooker:
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Grease the crockpot well so loaf releases easily after cooking.
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For browning, cook uncovered on high for the last hour.
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Add cream cheese or ricotta to keep it extra moist.
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Glaze the top in the last 30 minutes of cooking for delicious flavor.
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Insert slivers of cheese in the loaf or sprinkle on top for ooey-gooey goodness.
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Cook two small loaves instead of one huge one for more even cooking.
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Use a quick-release instant thermometer to easily check doneness.
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Let the loaf rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing for easier cutting.
Avoiding Common Crockpot Ham Loaf Problems
You may occasionally encounter some issues even when following the right crockpot ham loaf recipe and timing. Here are some common problems and troubleshooting tips:
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Undercooked: Cook for 30-60 more minutes on high until done.
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Overcooked/dried out: Add broth and cook on low to rehydrate slightly.
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Falls apart easily: Add more eggs or breadcrumbs next time to bind better.
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Bland flavor: Use a flavorful glaze and more seasonings in the mix.
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Burnt top: Cover with foil if browning too quickly on high.
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Sides overcooked: Cook an oval loaf or arrange two small loaves with space between.
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Uneven cooking: Rotate loaf position midway through cooking. Cut in half to check doneness in center.
An Easy Crockpot Ham Loaf Recipe
This simple crowd-pleasing crockpot ham loaf recipe yields tender, flavorful results every time:
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground ham
- 1 lb ground pork
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup parsley
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 onion, diced
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
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Mix all ingredients except salt and pepper in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
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Transfer mixture to a greased crockpot and shape into a loaf.
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Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4 hours.
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In the last 30 minutes, top with desired glaze.
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Remove carefully and let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Customize your loaf by adding shredded cheese, peppers, herbs or spices. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Getting the Perfect Ham Loaf from Your Crockpot
Cooking ham loaf in the crockpot makes it easy to prepare a classic comfort food your whole family will love. Refer to the cooking time guidelines and doneness tips above to ensure your ham loaf turns out juicy and delicious.
Monitor cooking progress and use a thermometer to test for doneness instead of solely relying on cook times. And add flavorful mix-ins or glazes to take your ham loaf to the next level.
With the right techniques, you can enjoy hassle-free, tender ham loaf straight from your slow cooker anytime. Whip up a ham loaf this weekend and see just how easy and delicious it can be!
How To Make ham loaf w/glaze
- 1 Ham Loaf : Mix all the ingredients. Make a loaf and put it in a Dutch oven or casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 1/2 hours. After 1/2 hour pour the following sauce over the loaf .
- 2: For the glaze, mix the ingredients together and heat them until they boil. Then lower the heat and let them simmer until the glaze starts to thicken a bit. about 10 min. When I put the meatballs in the crock pot, I sometimes double the sauce.
- Last Step: Don’t forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network and watch all of your friends drool. And dont forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too! .
Ingredients For ham loaf w/glaze
- 1 lb ground smoked ham
- 1 lb ground fresh pork
- 1 c bread crumbs or cracker crumbs (fine)
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 to 1 c milk
- 1 md onion diced finely
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced up (optional) I like how sweet it is and how it adds color.
- GLAZE
- 3/4 c brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard (I add a little more because we like it spicy)
- 1/2 c water
- 1/2 c vinegar
Mic’s Kitchen – Old Fashioned Ham Loaf
FAQ
How do you cook Gahr’s ham loaf?
What do I do if my ham is too big for a slow cooker?
What is ham loaf mix made of?
What is ground ham?
How do you cook a ham Loaf in a slow cooker?
Combine first 8 ingredients and pour into a loaf pan. Place in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW 6-7 hours. Combine mustard and horseradish and spread over ham loaf. Slice and serve. Crock pots/slow cookers all heat differently. There is no standard among manufacturers. Cooking times are suggested guidelines based on our testing.
How long do you cook a Ham in a crock pot?
It takes approximately 4-6 hours on low heat or 2-3 hours on high heat to cook a Ham in a crock pot, depending on its weight. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C) before serving. The recommended cooking time for a ham in a crock pot is as follows: 4-6 hours for a 5-7 lb ham on low heat or 2-3 hours on high heat.
How long does a ham Loaf take to cook?
A digital thermometer should be used to ensure that ham loaf containing raw, ground meat, is cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. The size of the piece of meat affects baking time. This recipe calls for three pounds of meat and takes almost 1 hour and 30 minutes to bake in loaf form.
How do you cook a Ham in a slow cooker?
To cook a Ham in a 5-6 quart slow cooker: Spray the inside with cooking spray. Place the ham into the slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, honey, mustard, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Pour the sauce over the ham. Cook on low for 3-4 hours until an internal temperature of 140°F is reached.