A crock pot is a great way to keep ham warm and ready to serve for hours during a party or large family gathering. The moist low heat environment prevents the pre-cooked ham from drying out allowing it to stay juicy and tender.
In this comprehensive guide, we provide tips and step-by-step instructions for reheating and keeping ham warm in a crock pot Follow our advice for choosing the right crock pot size, preparing the ham, using flavorful liquids, monitoring temperature and timing, and serving perfectly warmed ham to your guests
Choosing the Right Crock Pot Size
Selecting a crock pot that provides enough room for your ham is an important first step. A good rule of thumb is allowing for 2 inches of clearance on all sides between the ham and pot walls. This allows heat to properly circulate.
For a bone-in half ham or spiral sliced ham, a 6-7 quart oval or oblong crockpot is ideal. Smaller boneless hams can fit well in 4-5 quart round pots. Consider the number of servings you need and choose a size accordingly.
Opt for a crock pot with an adjustable temperature dial rather than simple low/high settings. This allows more control over maintaining the optimal warm temperature.
Preparing the Ham
Proper preparation before placing the ham in the crock pot is key. Start with an already fully cooked and cured ham. Uncooked or fresh ham should not be slow cooked to prevent food safety issues.
If the ham has a thick outer layer of fat, score it in a diamond pattern. This helps the glaze, juices and seasoning penetrate the meat rather than sit on top.
Place the ham in the crock pot cavity. Add enough liquid like ginger ale, broth or juice to cover the bottom by 1/4 inch. The liquid provides moisture to prevent drying out.
Using Flavorful Liquids
The liquid lining the crock pot serves dual purposes – adding flavor and moisture. Water is fine, but for extra flavor consider:
- Chicken, beef or vegetable broth
- Apple cider or juice
- Ginger ale or cola
- Wine or bourbon
- Fruit juices like pineapple, cranberry or orange
Add any spices, herbs, honey, mustard or hot sauce to the liquid for a flavor boost. Aim for 1-2 cups of total liquid for average 6 quart crock pots.
Setting the Temperature
Maintaining the ideal warm holding temperature is critical when using a crockpot to keep ham warm.
For food safety, the internal temperature of the ham must stay above 140°F. Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40-140°F.
On most crock pots, the low setting maintains about 200°F and high around 300°F. For ham, the low setting is perfect. High may overcook the meat, causing dryness.
Use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temp periodically. If it drops below 140°F, bump the dial up slightly until the temp rises.
Monitoring Cook Times
Cook times will vary based on the size and bone-in vs boneless of your ham. For accurate doneness, rely on a meat thermometer rather than time.
As a general guideline, a 3 lb boneless ham takes around 2 hours on low while a 8 lb bone-in ham may need 6 hours. Whole hams over 10 lbs can take 8-10 hours.
For pre-cooked hams, the reheating is done once the center reaches about 130-140°F. At this stage, switch to warm setting to simply hold it ready for serving.
Bone-in hams may cook less evenly so check temp in a couple spots. Add more time if needed to reach safe serving temp throughout.
Serving the Ham
Once the ham is heated through, it’s time to serve! Carefully remove it from the crock pot using sturdy tongs or oven mitts. The hot liquid and steam can cause burns.
Allow the ham to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to reabsorb back into the meat. If desired, brush on a glaze and let it set during resting.
Carve into thin slices, cutting across the grain. Arrange slices on a serving platter and garnish with herb sprigs if desired. Provide a bowl for bone discards as you slice.
Pair the ham with classic sidings like buttery mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, roasted vegetables, biscuits, etc. Offer an array of mustards, chutneys and sauces as condiments.
Troubleshooting Issues
Even when following proper methods, you may encounter a few potential issues when slow cooking ham. Here are some common problems and fixes:
Dry or Tough Ham – This happens when the crockpot runs too hot. Try more liquid next time or drop down the temp setting. Also brine or inject boneless hams before cooking.
Not Heating Through – Thick hams over 10 lbs or bone-in hams may not fully heat in the middle. Use a higher temp setting and allow more time. Check the temp in multiple spots.
Overcooking – Setting the crockpot too high results in dried out ham. Use a thermometer and stop cooking at 135°F for the best texture.
Burn Warning – Many crockpots with electronic panels will automatically switch to warm when liquid gets too low. Add more liquid if this occurs.
Power Outage – Food left sitting in the temperature danger zone above 40°F for over 2 hours should be discarded. Check temps after an outage.
Storing Leftover Ham
You’ll likely have leftover ham after a large event. Proper storage is important to maximize freshness and prevent waste.
First, remove any bones and slice or shred remaining meat from larger pieces. Refrigerate in shallow airtight containers or resealable bags.
Cooked ham stays fresh for 3-5 days in the fridge. For longer freezer storage up to 2-3 months, wrap tightly in freezer bags or plastic wrap. Frozen ham may lose some moisture but is fine for casseroles or soups.
Additional Tips
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Add a disposable foil pan liner to catch juices and glaze drippings for easier cleanup.
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Garnish with pineapple rings, maraschino cherries or citrus slices just before serving for a pop of color.
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Cook a ham bone alongside for added flavor. Remove it when serving.
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Let guests help themselves buffet-style or appoint one carver to slice meat as needed tableside.
Summary
With a little planning and these simple methods, your crockpot ham will be the star of your event. Guests will love the juicy, tender meat with its delicious glaze and warm aroma.
Pre-cooked hams truly shine when given time to heat through and meld flavors in a crockpot. Follow our guidelines for keeping hams safely warm all afternoon or evening to serve on-demand. With the right crockpot setup and temperature control, you’ll have happy guests and delicious leftovers!
How long does it take to cook a precooked ham?It depends—but usually about five hours. Since most hams are precooked, regardless of the cooking method you choose, you’re really heating rather than cooking. With the slow cooker set on low, put the ham in about five hours before dinner. That’s for an eight to 10-pound bone-in ham.Editor’s Tip: For a fall-apart tender ham, let it cook longer; 10 to 12 hours on low. This method is perfect for families who prefer a more casual dinner of shredded hot ham and roll sandwiches. It’s also the best for making any
- 1 (8 to 10 pound) bone-in half ham
- 1-1/2 cups ginger ale
Glaze:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
How do you reheat a ham without drying it out?On the off chance that there are leftovers, the secret to keeping leftover ham juicy is adding back moisture while warming it.Here are our favorite ways to reheat ham that won’t dry it out:
- Your slow cooker can help you reheat the ham. Put cooked ham slices and more liquid into a slow cooker set to low heat. More ginger ale will do, but you can also add broth, barbecue sauce, hoisin sauce, orange juice, or apple cider. Cook until heated through.
- Heat up any leftover ham in a saucepan with a cup of water or broth for a few minutes until it’s fully heated through.
- In a pinch? You can also microwave leftover ham. Add some liquid (ginger ale, broth, water, etc. add to a container that can go in the microwave and cover it. Zap until steaming and hot all the way through.
Can you heat a pre cooked ham in a slow cooker?
FAQ
How long can ham stay in a crockpot on warm?
How do you keep ham warm and moist after cooking?
Can you warm a precooked ham in a crock pot?
How to keep ham warm for a party?
How do you keep a Ham Warm in a slow cooker?
To keep your ham warm in a Crock-Pot, start by placing it cut side down into the slow cooker. Pour a liquid such as ginger ale, pineapple juice, or stock over the ham to create a steamy environment that will keep the meat moist and tender. Cook on the low setting for a pre-cooked ham to gently rewarm the meat.
How long can ham be without refrigeration and still be safe?
Most food experts recommend that ham, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that time, you should discard it.
Can you cook Ham in a crock pot?
If the entire ham doesn’t fit in the crock pot, consider slicing the ham into smaller portions that fit easily in the slow cooker with the lid on before beginning the cooking process. Prepare the Crock Pot. Place a large slow cooker liner or use a slow cooker bag to make cleanup a breeze.
How do you keep a ham from drying out in the crockpot?
To prevent your ham from drying out in the crockpot, you can add some liquid to the pot, like broth, juice or water, to keep it moist during cooking. It’s also important not to overcook the ham, and of course cooking it low and slow is always preferred. You can also baste the ham periodically to help keep it moist.