Slow Cooker Copycat Honey Baked Ham

My Husband’s Favorite: Slow Cooker Copycat Honey Baked Ham

My husband is undoubtedly the biggest fan of the Honey Baked Ham store. When their catalog arrives in early November, it’s as if Christmas has come early for him. His eyes light up, and he carefully thumbs through the pages, drooling over the glossy images of sugary-crusted honey-glazed hams. We all tease him about it, but we understand his excitement – their ham is amazing! Like with anything that good, it’s always a win to be able to make it right in your own kitchen any time you want, on your own terms, with your own ingredients. So here’s our slow cooker version that’s super simple to make but complete with all of the crisp honeyed edges you could want.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Why make your own Honey Baked Ham? Well, for starters, it’s a lot cheaper. Picking up a spiral-sliced ham from your grocery store and doctoring up the glaze a bit will cost you about half as much as ordering one from the Honey Baked Ham store. It’s also much more convenient – no need to order ahead, drive to a select store to pick it up, or deal with shipping and thawing of a large ham. And the end result? Just as delicious.

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

• Slow cooker
• Small bowl
• Roasting pan
• Aluminum foil
• Small saucepan

Ingredients

• 1 bone-in spiral sliced ham (6 to 8 lbs)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Trim the ham as necessary and place it in the slow cooker.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter and honey. Rub this mixture over the ham, pushing it into the slices. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
3. Towards the end of the cooking time, preheat the oven broiler on high and line a roasting pan with foil.
4. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, garlic powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, paprika, and salt. Press half of this mixture onto the top of the ham.
5. Broil until the topping is bubbly and caramelized, about 3 minutes, then remove from the oven.
6. Add the remaining sugar mixture to a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons of the ham liquid from the slow cooker (or water). Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
7. Let it boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat. Brush this glaze over the ham, then broil once more briefly, just 1-2 minutes.
8. Let the ham rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Tips for Success

To ensure your ham turns out perfectly, make sure to press the glaze mixture firmly into the ham slices. Also, keep a close eye on the broiler to prevent burning.

Additional Tips or Variations

Feel free to experiment with the spices to suit your taste. Some people like to add a bit of mustard or apple cider vinegar to the glaze for a tangy twist.

Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving)

This delicious ham is not only flavorful but also provides a good source of protein. Exact nutritional values will vary based on the size of the ham and serving size.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I use a boneless ham? Yes, but a bone-in ham typically has more flavor.
• How do I store leftovers? Wrap tightly in foil or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Can I freeze it? Absolutely! Just make sure it’s well-wrapped to prevent freezer burn.

Conclusion

I hope you give this Slow Cooker Copycat Honey Baked Ham a try. It’s an easy and delicious way to enjoy a holiday favorite any time of the year. If you do make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Feel free to share your experiences and any creative twists you added in the comments below. Happy cooking!