Crockpot Ham

This crockpot ham is a recipe I’ve been making for years—for holidays, parties, and any gathering where I want something comforting, reliable, and low-stress. It’s one of those recipes that people always ask about, and the best part is how easy it is.

One of the reasons I love cooking ham in the crockpot is that once it’s cut, it can stay right there and stay warm. No juggling oven space, no panic about timing—just slice, serve, and let the crockpot do the work. It’s especially helpful when you’re hosting or bringing a dish to share.

Ham Size & Cooking Time Notes

This recipe is written for a smaller ham (about 4 lbs), which is perfect for most standard crockpots and smaller gatherings. That said, I’ve made this recipe many times with larger hams—you’ll just want to double the other ingredients (brown sugar, mustard, pineapple/juice) and adjust the cooking time.

Cooking times on LOW:

• 4–6 lb ham: 2–3 hours

• 6–8 lb ham: about 4 hours

• 8–10 lb ham: 4–6 hours

No matter the size, your goal is an internal temperature of around 140°F, which means the ham is warmed through and ready to serve.

A note about the vegetables

This recipe doesn’t require vegetables, but you may notice carrots in my crockpot. I love tossing in vegetables to soften alongside the ham—they soak up all that sweet, savory flavor and make the meal feel complete. Carrots work beautifully, but you can use whatever vegetables you like… or skip them entirely. This recipe is flexible.

I usually serve this ham with softened veggies and mashed potatoes, making it a cozy, classic meal that works for both holidays and casual gatherings.

About the pineapple

The recipe calls for one can of pineapple—either chunks or crushed, with the juice. I think ham and pineapple are such a lovely pairing, but you can absolutely omit the fruit itself and just use the juice if you prefer a more subtle sweetness.

If I use pineapple chunks, I’ll often save the leftovers for breakfast and serve them over cottage cheese, which is one of my favorite easy protein-packed breakfasts.

No pineapple on hand? You can use water instead, but I really do love the flavor the pineapple juice adds—it gives the ham that extra something without being overpowering.

A very important ham tip

Once you buy your ham at the store, put it in the crockpot right away to make sure it fits. I learned this lesson the hard way. One year I had to cut my ham down at the last minute to make it fit, and it wasn’t ideal. You don’t want to be adjusting cooking plans when you’re already in hosting mode—trust me on this one.

Why this recipe works

• Easy, hands-off cooking

• Stays warm and ready to serve

• Flexible with add-ins and omissions

• Perfect for holidays, parties, and leftovers

This is one of those dependable recipes that earns a permanent spot in your rotation. Simple ingredients, comforting flavors, and a crockpot that does the heavy lifting…just the way I like it.

Yield: 7

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Crockpot Ham

This easy crockpot ham is tender, juicy, and full of sweet-savory flavor. Brown sugar melts into a glossy glaze, the mustard adds just the right tang, and pineapple keeps everything moist while infusing a subtle tropical sweetness. It’s a no-stress, set-it-and-forget-it meal that works beautifully for holidays, gatherings, or a comforting family dinner—with instructions for both smaller and larger hams.

Ingredients

• 4-6 lb. ham (See notes for a larger ham)
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 can of pineapple chunks with juice *

Instructions

1. Add the ham to a crockpot.
2. Squirt some Dijon mustard on tope of the ham, just eye it. Use a brush to spread it around.
3. Add the brown sugar and use your hands to press and combine it around the ham top and around the sides.
4. Add the pineapple to the crockpot, feel free to pour a bit of the juices on the ham.
5. Cook on low for 2-3 hours until is reached an internal temperature of 140 degrees.
6. Once it's done, let the ham rest on a cutting board for 15-20 minutes to let the juices settle before cutting.
7. Serve, or put back in the crockpot to keep warm.

Notes

For a ham 4-6 lbs. cook on low for 2-3 hours and for an 8-10 lbs. ham 4-6 hours on low. For those mid-size ones 6-8 lbs., try 4 hours on low. You want the internal tempt o show around 140 degrees regardless of size. Make sure your ham fits in your crockpot once you buy it.

Pineapple: You can also use crushed pineapples. If you want to pineapple pieces, just use the juice. Hater is fine but pineapple really adds to the flavor!

I added some carrots to cook with it this time. This is an easy way to soften some veggies to serve with dinner. It's not part of the recipe but a nice edition.