This Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Dijon Ham is an effortless and flavorful dish that delivers melt-in-your-mouth tenderness with a balance of sweet and savory flavors. A brown sugar and Dijon mustard glaze caramelizes beautifully while slow cooking, creating an irresistible main course perfect for holidays, gatherings, or a comforting family dinner.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Choose the Right Ham: A bone-in, fully cooked ham is best for a juicier result. If using boneless, reduce cooking time.
- Use a Liner: Slow cooker liners make cleanup a breeze and prevent sticky glaze from clinging to the pot.
- Baste for Extra Flavor: Every hour, spoon the glaze over the ham for deeper flavor infusion.
- Broil for a Crispy Finish: If you love a caramelized crust, transfer the ham to a baking sheet and broil for 5 minutes after slow cooking.
- Don’t Discard the Juices: The flavorful drippings make an excellent glaze or sauce for serving.
- Let It Rest: Before slicing, let the ham rest for 10–15 minutes to retain its juices.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you love easy, no-fuss meals that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen, this Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Dijon Ham is a game-changer! Whether for a holiday dinner, Sunday meal, or meal prep, this recipe guarantees tender, juicy ham with a caramelized, flavorful glaze.
- Effortless Cooking: The slow cooker does all the work—just set it and forget it!
- Irresistible Flavor: The sweet brown sugar and tangy Dijon mustard create a balance of rich, deep flavors.
- Perfect for Gatherings: Whether it’s Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving, this ham is always a showstopper.
- Versatile Leftovers: The leftovers can be used in sandwiches, omelets, casseroles, or soups.
- Minimal Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples to make this dish unforgettable.
Yield: Serves 10
Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Dijon Ham
This slow cooker ham is coated in a rich brown sugar Dijon glaze, slow-cooked to perfection, and irresistibly tender and flavorful.
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
6 hours
Additional Time
10 minutes
Total Time
6 hours 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 bone-in fully cooked ham (8–10 lbs)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup Dijon mustard
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup maple syrup (optional)
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the Ham: Place the ham in your slow cooker, flat-side down, so it sits securely. If the lid doesn’t fit completely, you can cover it tightly with foil.
- Make the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, Dijon mustard, pineapple juice, maple syrup, melted butter, and ground cloves until smooth.
- Coat the Ham: Pour the glaze evenly over the ham, using a spoon or brush to make sure it seeps into the cuts (if using spiral-cut ham).
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours (or HIGH for 2–3 hours). Baste the ham every hour by spooning the glaze over the top.
- Optional Caramelization: If you want a crispier finish, transfer the ham to a baking sheet and broil on HIGH for 3–5 minutes until slightly caramelized.
- Let It Rest: Remove from the slow cooker and let the ham rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
- Serve & Enjoy: Slice and serve warm with extra glaze drizzled on top. Pair with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad!
Notes
- For best results, cook on LOW rather than HIGH for a juicier ham.
- Leftover ham makes amazing sandwiches, soups, and casseroles!
- Don’t overcook! A fully cooked ham only needs reheating, not full cooking.
Nutrition Information
Yield
10Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 154Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 18mgSodium 489mgCarbohydrates 26gFiber 1gSugar 24gProtein 4g
The recipes and nutritional information on Crock Pot Meal are for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized dietary advice.
Ingredient Notes
- Ham: Use a bone-in, fully cooked ham (8–10 lbs) for the best flavor and moisture. Spiral-cut hams work well, but whole hams retain more juiciness.
- Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar gives the glaze its signature caramel-like sweetness.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy depth of flavor that balances the sweetness. Avoid regular yellow mustard.
- Pineapple Juice: Adds a subtle fruity acidity that enhances the ham’s natural flavors.
- Maple Syrup (Optional): A touch of maple syrup enhances the glaze with a warm, rich sweetness.
- Ground Cloves: Just a hint of cloves brings a warm, spiced aroma to the ham.
- Butter: Adds richness to the glaze and helps it coat the ham evenly.
Variations and Substitutions
- Honey Glazed Variation: Swap the brown sugar for ½ cup of honey for a slightly different sweet profile.
- Spicy Kick: Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a sweet-heat balance.
- Orange Glaze: Substitute pineapple juice with fresh orange juice for a citrusy twist.
- Maple-Dijon Version: Replace brown sugar with pure maple syrup for a deeper, earthy sweetness.
- Gluten-Free Option: This recipe is naturally gluten-free! Just check your mustard and other ingredients to be sure.
- Alcohol-Free Alternative: Some people use bourbon or whiskey in the glaze; you can replace it with apple cider or more pineapple juice.
Storage Options
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Warm slices in a covered baking dish at 325°F for about 15–20 minutes or microwave for 30–45 seconds per slice.
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