Leftover ham is a delicious treat but reheating it improperly can lead to dry tough meat. Using your trusty crock pot is one of the best ways to reheat sliced ham so it stays juicy and flavorful. With a few simple tips, you’ll have tender ham ready for sandwiches, omelets, casseroles and more.
Why Use a Crock Pot?
Crock pots, also known as slow cookers, are ideal for reheating lean meats like ham. The moist, gentle heat helps retain natural juices and prevent overcooking. Other reheating methods like the microwave or oven can rapidly dry out ham slices.
Slow cooking also allows flavors to meld and develop. You can add liquids like broth, juice or soda to infuse tasty notes into the ham as it heats. Spices and sauces further boost the flavor.
Choosing the Right Crock Pot
Any basic crock pot with low and high settings will work to reheat sliced ham, Just be sure to choose one that fits the amount of ham you want to make An oval 5-6 quart or larger crock pot can hold multiple pounds of sliced ham
For smaller amounts like a few cups of diced ham, a 3-4 quart cooker is sufficient. It’s fine if the crock isn’t completely full as long as the ham slices are submerged in liquid.
Preparing the Ham
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Use fully cooked, refrigerated ham. Uncooked or partially cooked ham requires a different reheating method.
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Trim off any hardened edges or unappetizing bits from the outer surface.
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Cut the ham into slices, chunks or cubes to allow heat to penetrate effectively. Very thick slices may remain cold in the center.
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For even heating, try to cut pieces to a relatively uniform size. Mixing large and small pieces can lead to uneven cooking.
Liquid Options
The key is submerging the ham fully in liquid as it heats Water is simplest, but for more flavor, use
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Chicken, beef or ham broth or stock
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Fruit juices like pineapple, apple or orange
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Ginger ale, cola or another soda
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Wine, beer or cider
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Barbecue sauce, sweet & sour sauce, honey mustard, etc.
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A quick homemade ham gravy
Figure about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of liquid per pound of ham. You want enough to just cover the meat in the crock pot.
Seasonings & Extras
To make your reheated ham extra savory, add any of the following:
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Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage
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Minced garlic or onion
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Salt, pepper, spices like cumin or paprika
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Dijon or whole grain mustard
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Honey, maple syrup, brown sugar or preserves
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Diced vegetables like carrots, celery and bell peppers
Mix and match to create your own signature flavor!
Step-By-Step Instructions
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Prepare your sliced ham and liquid as desired.
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Place the ham in the crock pot. Pour the liquid over to cover.
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Add any seasonings or extras. Give it all a gentle stir to distribute evenly.
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Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours, until heated through. Avoid the HIGH setting which can overcook the ham.
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About halfway, carefully stir and redistribute the ham to heat evenly.
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Once done, use a slotted spoon to transfer ham slices to a serving dish.
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Pour any remaining hot liquid into a saucepan. Simmer to create an easy reheating sauce.
And your leftover ham is ready to enjoy! The tender, moist results are well worth the wait.
Handy Tips
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Don’t overload the crock. Leave at least 2 inches of headspace for proper heating.
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Sprinkle a bit of liquid smoke or smoked paprika for added smoky flavor.
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Cook ham bone-in or bone-out. Bones impart extra flavor!
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Use immediately or let cooled ham keep in the fridge 3-4 days.
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Add cooked ham to bean soup, lentils, fried rice, eggs and more.
With your crock pot, leftover ham stays juicy and delicious. Those last slices will be as tasty as the first! Enjoy the convenience of slow cooked ham any night of the week.
About This Article
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- How do I keep sliced ham warm in the crock pot without turning it brown?
Answer: You should be able to leave the crock pot on “warm” and the ham will stay warm without turning brown.
- When should we cook the 20-pound ham in the oven the day before? We plan to slice it and heat it up in the crock pot on Sunday. Ask KateyKate: Does that make sense? I agree, but if you put 20 pounds of ham in a crock pot, it might take a long time to heat all the way through. If there is room in the oven on Sunday, I would slice the ham and heat it up again in there. Then I would put the slices in the crock pot to keep them warm. If you have room in the fridge, cook the ham on Saturday and let it cool for about 30 minutes before putting the pan in the fridge. On Sunday, put the same pan back in the oven to reheat, which will save you from having to wash two pans!
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- You don’t have to wait for a slow cooker to heat up a ham; you can use an oven or pressure cooker instead. [16] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .
- Cook your ham slowly in a pan with at least ½ cup of filtered water, white wine, or vegetable stock. This will keep it from drying out. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .
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Can you heat a pre cooked ham in a slow cooker?
FAQ
How long does it take to warm up sliced ham in a crock pot?
How do you reheat a precooked sliced ham?
How to reheat ham slices without drying it out?
Can you reheat in a slow cooker?
How to reheat sliced ham in a crock pot?
One of the best ways to reheat sliced ham in a crock pot is to use the low heat setting. This method will allow the ham to slowly and evenly warm up, without the risk of overcooking or drying out the meat. To start, add a liquid such as pineapple juice, broth, or stock to the crock pot. This will help to keep the ham moist and tender.
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.
How do you reheat a bone-in Ham in a crock pot?
Next, add your sliced ham to the crock pot, making sure that each slice is coated with the liquid. Set your crock pot to the low setting and let the ham warm up for about 3-4 hours. If you’re reheating bone-in ham, you may need to add an additional 1-2 hours depending on the size.
How do you reheat a sliced ham?
Instead, it’s best to use a low and slow method to reheat your sliced ham. If you’re short on time and need to reheat your sliced ham quickly, consider using a skillet or frying pan on medium heat. Add a few slices at a time and add a small amount of liquid such as chicken broth or butter to keep the meat moist.