Slow Cooker Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe

I love this baked ham recipe that blends bold flavors simply. Coated with honey, light brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar, my 6 to 8 lb fully cooked ham is accented by ground cloves and water. It offers a delightful twist that’s so easy to recreate at home.

I recently tried making a slow cooker copycat version of Honey Baked Ham and it turned out pretty amazing. I used a 6 to 8 lb fully cooked bone-in ham and combined it with a mix of 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed, 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water, and just a pinch of ground cloves.

Trust me, these ingredients work so well together to create a flavor that reminds me of those classic slow cooker ham recipes and even some of my favorite crockpot dishes. I liked how the honey and brown sugar give it a sweet glaze while the mustard and vinegar add a nice tang.

Its so easy to get the same flavor at home and if you love baked ham similar to the store bought version, this recipe is gonna be a keeper. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I really love how the honey and brown sugar mix gives the ham this sweet tangy flavor that makes every bite so tasty.
2. Its super easy to throw together – I just put everything in the slow cooker and let it work, saving me lots of time.
3. I like how the glaze gets into every little nook of the ham, making it really moist and full of flavor, even if I sometimes mess up the scoring a bit.
4. The way the smell fills up the house while it cooks is just amazing, like a big warm hug from home.

Ingredients

• Ham: Fully cooked bone-in ham is protein rich and provides essential nutrients for energy.
• Honey: Adds a natural sweetness and simple carbs though its not a fiber source.
• Light Brown Sugar: Provides extra sweetness and energy mostly from carbohydrates.
• Dijon Mustard: Brings in a tangy spice that is low in calories and boosts flavor.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Gives a sour kick and helps enhance the overall taste profile.
• Water: Keeps the ham moist during cooking so it turns out tender and juicy.
• Ground Cloves: Imparts a warm spice that nicely complements the sweet and sour notes.

Ingredient Quantities

• 6 to 8 lb fully cooked bone-in ham
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

How to Make this

1. Place the ham, skin side down, into your slow cooker.

2. In a small bowl mix together the honey, light brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, water, and ground cloves until well combined.

3. If your ham isn’t already scored, use a sharp knife to lightly score the surface in a crisscross pattern so the glaze gets into all the little nooks.

4. Pour the mixture over the ham making sure it’s evenly coated on all sides.

5. Put the lid on your slow cooker and let it cook on low for about 3 to 4 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours so the ham heats up and the glaze becomes bubbly.

6. Every hour or so, spoon some of the juices back over the ham to keep it moist and boost the flavor.

7. Once the ham is thoroughly heated, carefully remove it from the slow cooker.

8. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute.

9. Slice the ham and serve immediately with any extra glaze drizzled on top. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Slow cooker
2. Small mixing bowl
3. Measuring cups and spoons
4. Sharp knife (and cutting board for safety)
5. Spoon for basting and stirring
6. Serving platter for the sliced ham

FAQ

Slow Cooker Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Honey: You can swap honey for agave nectar or maple syrup in equal amounts if you need a liquid sweetener.
• Light brown sugar: Try using coconut sugar or regular white sugar mixed with a little molasses (roughly 1 tablespoon per cup white sugar) to mimic that rich flavor.
• Dijon mustard: A mix of yellow mustard with a splash of white wine vinegar can work well if you dont have Dijon on hand.
• Apple cider vinegar: White wine vinegar or even a light splash of lemon juice can give you a similar tangy kick.

Pro Tips

1. If you have time, try searing the ham in a hot pan or in the oven for a few minutes after slow cooking so the glaze gets a nice caramelized finish.
2. Make sure to keep basting the ham with its own juices through the cook time so it stays super moist and flavorful and doesn’t dry out.
3. When scoring the ham, be careful not to cut too deep; a shallow cut is enough to let all that yummy glaze seep in and really boost the flavor.
4. Let the ham rest for a few extra minutes after you take it out of the slow cooker because that helps all the juices even out and makes it easier to slice.