The Ultimate Slow Cooker Ham Recipe: Fall-Off-the-Bone Deliciousness
Are you ready to experience the most succulent, melt-in-your-mouth ham you've ever tasted? This slow cooker ham recipe is your ticket to effortless holiday entertaining or a simple, yet incredibly impressive, weeknight meal. Forget the oven; your slow cooker is about to become your new best friend for perfectly cooked ham.
Why Slow Cook Your Ham?
Slow cooking a ham offers several undeniable advantages:
- Unmatched Tenderness: The low and slow cooking method ensures the ham becomes incredibly tender, with a texture that practically falls apart.
- Maximum Flavor: The long cooking time allows the ham's natural flavors to deepen and meld beautifully with any added glaze or seasonings.
- Effortless Convenience: Simply place the ham in your slow cooker, set it, and forget it! Minimal effort for maximum deliciousness.
- Less Drying: Unlike oven-baked ham, slow cooking reduces the risk of dryness, resulting in a consistently moist and juicy final product.
Ingredients You'll Need:
- One fully cooked ham (bone-in or boneless): Choose a ham that's already cooked; this recipe focuses on enhancing the flavor and texture, not cooking the ham from raw. A 4-6 pound ham works perfectly for most slow cookers.
- Your favorite glaze: This is where you can get creative! Consider a brown sugar glaze, a honey mustard glaze, a pineapple glaze, or even a simple maple syrup glaze. The options are endless! (We'll provide a few suggestions below.)
- Optional additions: For extra flavor, consider adding a cup of chicken broth or apple cider to the slow cooker along with the ham. This adds moisture and enhances the overall taste.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Ham: If your ham has a pre-packaged glaze, remove it. You'll be making your own delicious custom glaze.
- Place the Ham: Carefully place the ham in your slow cooker. If using a bone-in ham, ensure the bone is facing down.
- Add Liquid (Optional): If desired, pour in 1 cup of chicken broth or apple cider around the ham.
- Slow Cook: Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the ham is heated through and easily shreds with a fork. The cooking time will depend on the size of your ham.
- Apply Glaze: During the last hour of cooking, apply your chosen glaze. You can brush it on several times for an extra layer of flavor and a beautiful glossy finish.
- Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove the ham from the slow cooker and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful ham. Slice and serve!
Glaze Suggestions:
Classic Brown Sugar Glaze:
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon butter
Sweet and Savory Honey Mustard Glaze:
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Tropical Pineapple Glaze:
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, undrained
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup orange juice
Tips for Success:
- Use a meat thermometer: To ensure the ham is cooked through, use a meat thermometer and check the internal temperature. It should reach at least 140°F (60°C).
- Don't overcook: Overcooking can result in a dry ham. Follow the cooking time guidelines closely, and check the ham's tenderness frequently.
- Get creative with your glaze: The possibilities are endless! Experiment with different flavors and ingredients to create your own signature glaze.
This slow cooker ham recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the ease and delicious results! Remember to share your culinary creations and tag us! #slowcookerham #hameasyrecipe #holidayrecipe #deliciousham Happy cooking!
