The Easiest Crockpot Pineapple Ham Recipe (Sweet, Sticky, Perfect)

By Jason Griffith

For me, few things signal a gathering, a holiday, or a cozy Sunday dinner quite like a beautifully glazed ham. But let’s be honest, roasting a ham in the oven can be intimidating. It takes up a ton of oven space—which is a precious commodity during the holidays—and it can easily dry out.

That’s where the slow cooker comes in.

This Crockpot Pineapple Ham recipe is the simplest, most foolproof way to guarantee a ham that is incredibly moist, falling-apart tender, and glazed with a thick, sticky, and perfectly balanced sweet sauce. We’re talking four simple ingredients, minimal fuss, and a maximum flavor payoff. It’s the ultimate kitchen hack for busy cooks, and once you try it, you’ll never go back to the oven.

Why I Love This Recipe

I’m a big fan of recipes that deliver big flavor with minimal effort, and this ham is the perfect example.

• Effortless Moisture: The slow cooker environment steams the ham as it cooks, locking in all the natural juices. No dry ham here, ever!
• The Best Glaze: By coating the ham and cooking it directly on a bed of brown sugar and pineapple juice, that sugar caramelizes into a deep, rich, sticky glaze that bastes the meat the whole time.
• Set It and Forget It: This recipe frees up your oven for other side dishes, which is a lifesaver when you’re hosting a crowd. Just set it to low, walk away, and come back to a perfect main course.
• Incredible Leftovers: The slow-cooking process makes the ham fall-apart tender, which means it shreds beautifully for sandwiches, casseroles, and more.

---

Crockpot Pineapple Ham

This recipe takes the guesswork out of making a spectacular holiday ham. The sugar melts down into a syrupy, caramelized glaze that is simply irresistible.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Quantity	Notes
Pre-cooked Ham	1 (Bone-in or boneless, spiral-cut recommended)	Aim for a ham between 6-8 pounds to fit a standard 6-quart slow cooker.
Brown Sugar	321​ cups	Use dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor, or light brown for a milder sweetness.
Raw Natural Honey	21​ cup	Adds a beautiful floral note and extra sticky texture to the glaze.
Canned Pineapple Tidbits or Chunks	1 (20 oz) can	Do not drain. The juice is essential for the glaze.

Export to Sheets

Swaps and Notes

• Ham Size: If your ham is smaller than 6 lbs, you may need to reduce the cooking time slightly. If it’s a tight squeeze in your crockpot, don’t worry—just make sure the lid is on securely.
• Pineapple Type: You can use rings instead of chunks/tidbits if you prefer a more classic look, but the chunks allow the glaze to penetrate the ham more thoroughly.
• Spice It Up: For an extra layer of flavor, try stirring 1 teaspoon of ground cloves or cinnamon into the brown sugar before adding it to the crockpot.
• Bone-in vs. Boneless: Both work! A bone-in ham often yields a slightly richer flavor, but a boneless ham is easier to carve. A spiral-cut ham is always best as it allows the glaze to seep in.

---

Steps for the Recipe

1. Prep the Crockpot: In a large slow cooker (6-quart or larger), pour 2 cups of the brown sugar and spread it to cover the entire bottom. This creates the foundation of the sticky glaze.
2. Place the Ham: Carefully place the ham on top of the brown sugar bed. Use your hands to gently open up the slices of the spiral cut a little—this allows the glaze to soak deep into the meat.
3. Glaze with Honey: Evenly pour the 21​ cup of honey all over the top of the ham.
4. Add the Pineapple: Generously spoon the entire contents of the can of pineapple, including the juice, around the sides of the ham and scatter some pieces on top.
5. Final Sugar Layer: Sprinkle the remaining 121​ cups of brown sugar evenly over the entire top of the ham.
6. Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 321​ to 4 hours. The ham is fully cooked once it reaches an internal temperature of 140∘F.
7. Rest and Serve: Once cooked, let the ham rest in the slow cooker with the lid slightly ajar for 10 minutes. The ham will be incredibly tender and juicy. Carefully remove the ham and slice it. Spoon the glorious, sticky glaze from the bottom of the pot over the carved slices before serving.

---

Tips for Success

• Don’t Overcook: Remember, your ham is already pre-cooked. We are just heating it through and glazing it. Overcooking will dry it out, even in a slow cooker. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it hits 140∘F and no higher than 160∘F.
• Check the Lid: Make sure your slow cooker lid is sealed tightly. The steam is what keeps the ham moist, and you want to keep all that beautiful moisture inside.
• Baste if You Want (But Don’t Have To): If you are able, you can lift the lid and baste the ham with the glaze at the bottom of the crockpot once or twice during the last hour of cooking. This isn’t necessary, but it does help build a thicker crust.
• Serving the Glaze: Don’t discard the liquid left in the crockpot! It’s pure, caramelized gold. Thicken it slightly in a saucepan over medium heat for a few minutes, or just spoon it over the ham as is.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This sweet and savory ham is the centerpiece of any meal and pairs beautifully with classic sides.

• Side Dishes: Serve this alongside a creamy potato dish, green beans, or a simple garden salad.
• Rolls: A batch of soft, buttery dinner rolls is a must for making mini ham sandwiches later.
• A Perfect Complement: If you’re looking for another comforting dish for a large gathering, check out my recipe for Classic Spaghetti Recipe with Homemade Sauce.
• Drink Pairing: The sweetness of the ham glaze is wonderfully cut by a refreshing, slightly tart beverage like this Blueberry Lemonade.

---

Nutritional Information Per Serving (Estimate)

Based on an 8-pound spiral-cut ham, yielding approximately 16 servings (4 oz each, excluding glaze)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	280−350
Protein	28g−35g
Fat	10g−15g
Carbohydrates	18g−25g
Sodium	1000mg−1300mg

Export to Sheets

Note: The nutritional content is highly dependent on the amount of glaze used and the cut of the ham.

Storage and Leftover Tips

This ham is almost as good the second day, especially in creative new dishes!

• Storage: Once cooled, slice and store the leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep a few tablespoons of the leftover glaze with the ham slices to keep them moist.
• Freezing: For long-term storage, cut the ham into smaller portions and freeze in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Leftover Ideas: Shredded ham is fantastic in breakfast scrambles, omelets, and casseroles. You can also use slices for Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butter (just swap the chicken for ham!) or as a filling for these Chicken Enchiladas for a sweet and savory twist.

More Recipes You Will Love

If you loved the ease and comfort of this ham recipe, you might enjoy some of my other crowd-pleasing favorites:

• Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butter
• Classic Spaghetti Recipe with Homemade Sauce
• These Pecan Pie Bars are my favorite make-ahead holiday dessert
• These Chicken Enchiladas are my go-to for cozy crowd-pleasing dinners
• This Blueberry Lemonade is my favorite refreshing drink for sunny days

Final Thoughts

This Crockpot Pineapple Ham is proof that the most impressive dishes don’t have to be the most complicated. It’s a simple, set-it-and-forget-it recipe that delivers a perfectly glazed, juicy ham every single time. It’s a game-changer for holidays, and an even better one for a regular Sunday dinner.

Did you try this recipe? Let me know in the comments below! And be sure to follow Chefmaniac for more easy weeknight and holiday hacks.