If you go for an easy recipe, this Slow Cooker Fresh Ham with Maple Glaze is really something for you. Tender, full of flavor, juicy ham is very easy to make. The fresh crockpot ham is slowly braised in a delicious Maple Glaze marinade, making this meat even more delicious. Without stress, it's the easy way because this is a slow cooker recipe. This boneless ham will go quickly at your next dinner or special occasion because everyone likes this!
Slow Cooker Fresh Ham
Let's face it, if you're hosting a dinner party (or a Christmas dinner or Easter dinner), you'd rather be enjoying with your guests than with the food, right? Then this slow cooker ham recipe with maple glaze is just the thing for you. Because the gammon is a must-have for the holiday season. You season the meat wonderfully and then let the slow cooker do the work. The meat becomes tender and juicy.
Another advantage of this holiday ham is having an extra stove or oven space because you use the crockpot. The maple glaze is simple because you only need SIX simple ingredients to get you the best ham flavor. They give the ham a sweet, spicy, and fresh taste with a nice herb touch. So delicious; you should try this. So good!
And if you need even more inspiration, take a quick look at this page with slow cooker recipes. With delicious recipes such as rotisserie slow cooker chicken, coq au vin blanc and Boeuf Bourguignon.
Jump to:
What do you need for Crock Pot Cooked Fresh Ham with Maple Glaze?
To prepare this Slow Cooker Fresh Ham, you need the following ingredients. You can find the correct amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the blog:
- Maple Syrup - A sugar syrup extracted from the Maple Tree. It has a light brown, soft caramel taste.
- Brown sugar - to give the ham a sweet glaze (outside). Brown sugar is used because it also offers a caramelized taste.
- Mustard - Has a sharp taste. Use Dijon mustard for this recipe.
- Orange - From the orange, you use the grater that gives a light citrus flavor to the glaze
- Rosemary - Rosemary has a bittersweet taste (and smells great).
- Ham - Ham is the thick part of a pig's leg. It is sold with and without bone.
How to prepare Slow Cooker Ham
You can find a printable recipe with step-by-step instructions at the bottom of this blog.
- Mix the maple syrup, brown sugar, mustard, orange zest, finely chopped rosemary, and pepper to get a maple syrup brown sugar glaze.
- Place aluminum foil on the bottom of your slow cooker and place the ham on top. Brush the raw ham with the maple syrup glaze and pour the rest around it.
- Turn the slow cooker on low and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours until the ham is cooked. The core temperature must then be 150 °F (ca. 66 °C) (for a piece of ham of 1 – 2 pounds; 500 – 750 grams).
- Remove the ham from the slow cooker, brush with some more glaze and sprinkle with fresh rosemary.
This main dish is delicious with side dishes like Hasselback Potatoes, homemade rolls, green beans, and Brussels Sprouts with orange glaze.
Make it festive by garnishing the tender ham with fresh herbs or fruit such as pomegranate seeds and cranberries.
Tips
- For a smaller ham of 2 pounds (0.91 kg), you need about 2 to 3 hours to reach an internal temperature of 140 °F (ca. 60 °C). A large ham of 7 to 8 pounds (3 - 3.63 kg) will take about 8 hours to cook on a low setting.
- Always check in advance whether the ham will fit in the slow cooker. The lid must still be able to close!
- Do you have any leftovers? These ideas are great leftover ham recipes:
- Thinly sliced on a sandwich.
- Cut into small pieces for soup or a main course salad.
- As a pizza topping.
Did you make this recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram. I enjoy seeing what your creation looks like. Video recipes can be found on my YouTube channel. And don't forget to save the recipes on Pinterest so you can easily find them next time!
📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh ham
- ⅔ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 orange zest
- ½ oz. fresh rosemary, needles removed and finely chopped.
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
- Line the inside of the slow cooker with aluminum foil to create a container.
- Put the ham in there.2 pounds fresh ham
- Mix the maple syrup, brown sugar, mustard, orange zest, rosemary, and pepper in a bowl.⅔ cup maple syrup, ½ cup dark brown sugar, 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 orange zest, ½ oz. fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Brush the ham with the marinade. Then, pour the rest over and around the meat.
- Turn the slow cooker on to low heat. Let the fresh ham stew for 2 hours. Then, check the core temperature in the thickest part of the meat with a meat thermometer. If it doesn't read 140 °F (ca. 60 °C) yet, leave the meat in the slow cooker for another 15 minutes and check again.
- When the meat is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and place it on your serving platter.
- Brush with the glaze that is left in the crockpot and sprinkle with rosemary.
- Cut into thin slices and serve immediately.
Notes
- Thinly sliced on a sandwich.
- Cut into small pieces for soup or a main course salad.
- As a pizza topping.
- Fridge—Pack the meat in an airtight container. This way, it stays good in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Frozen—Wrap the ham in plastic wrap and then in a freezer box. Freeze and store for up to 3 months.
- Warming up—Preheat the oven to 285 °F (ca. 141 °C) and heat the meat to a core temperature of 120 °F (ca. 49 °C).
Nutrition
Laura says
Can i cook the day before and reheat the next day?
Andréa says
Yes you can. Make sure to cool it down real quickly. In the tips in the recipe card, you can read how to store and reheat it.
Kit says
I’ve never made a ham at home before but I think this has me convinced! It needs to happen this holiday season! Yum!!
Gloria says
Slow cookers are the best invention ever. This is perfect for the holiday dinner table. Fuss free, stress free cooking with tasty results.
Elizabeth says
The perfect recipe for the upcoming holidays! Very easy to follow!
Andréa says
It sure is. Thank you!
Andréa says
They sure are. I use my slow cooker often!
Andréa says
You'll going to make it more often for sure!
swathi iyer says
Slow cooker ham looks delicious, great meal idea. I am going to try this.
Andréa says
Hi Swathi, so nice to hear that! I'm sure you're going to enjoy it!
Melinda says
I am bookmarking this ham recipe to make during the holidays, if not before. Any time I can use my slow cooker when preparing a big meal, I'm thrilled. The maple glaze marinade looks incredible and I know my family will love this flavor combination. I like that it includes rosemary!
Andréa says
Great to hear! Hope you enjoy it!
Cpg says
I just made this for a party. It was great to drop this in the slow-cooker and be able to focus on everything else. The ham came out delicious, and we all loved the maple glaze.
Mary says
I am excited to try this. I ordered a fresh ham online but haven't taken it out of the freezer. Thanks!
Nora says
This ham is so delicious with the maple glaze! And so easy to make! Thanks for the great recipe!
Andréa says
Thank you for sharing your experience!
Andréa says
I'm sure you're going to love this easy recipe!
Andréa says
Thank you. I agree the maple glaze is really delicious!
nancy says
i've never tried making ham in the slow cooker until now. What a wonderful idea not having the oven blasting for hours
Dee says
Of all things I've made in my crock pot I've never even though about it for cooking a ham! Thanks for inspo.
Marcellina says
I have never used fresh ham before and I'm not actually sure if I can get it in my area. I'm going to check at the butchers this week. Is it the same as pickled pork? I know I can get that here. I'd love to make this recipe for the upcoming holidays!
Mina says
That maple glaze is mouthwatering. I am sure my daughter will love this!
Deb says
Can’t believe u can make a ham
In a crock pot! Gonna have to pass this recipe on to the ham lover I’m my family.
Alexandra says
Ham is one of my favourites, and this slow cooker version is superb. It is ideal as it keeps the oven free for all the side dishes. The ham came out perfect - tender and delicious.
Andréa says
It really is ideal! Thank you!
Mina says
This is giving me Christmas vibes. It's a tradition here to have ham during Christmas eve. I will try this recipe!
Andréa says
Thank you. It really is so easy!
Natalie Perry says
My family loves ham. I haven’t thought to put it in a slow cooker. Hopefully I will find the right sized ham for my slow cooker! Thank you
Sabine says
I love a good slow cooked ham with a lovely glaze. I like the orange zest as an additional flavor as I never made it with orange before. Really good recipe. Loved it.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
This recipe is amazing!! So easy to make - and smells so good cooking. It was a perfect company worthy ham!
Alexandra says
I am a huge fan of ham, and really enjoyed the hands off preparation of this recipe. The flavours are great, and I will make it again!
Laura Arteaga says
The maple glaze used for this ham was absolutely delicious, and will be making it for other dishes for sure! The ham came out perfect, thanks for the recipe!