Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham

A tender, juicy ham glazed with caramelized brown sugar and pineapple — this dish fills your home with an incredible aroma and delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Ideal for family gatherings or holiday meals, it’s surprisingly simple to prepare and practically cooks itself.

What Is Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham?

A fully cooked ham, coated in a rich brown sugar and pineapple glaze, then slow-cooked until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender. The long, gentle cook time allows the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat, resulting in something far more impressive than the effort required.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless — minimal prep, then the slow cooker does all the work
• Budget-friendly — a stunning centerpiece meal without the restaurant price tag
• Crowd-pleasing — the sweet-savory combination appeals to everyone
• Great for leftovers — tastes just as good the next day

How to Make It

Prep time: 10 min | Cook time: 6–8 hours (low) or 4 hours (high) | Serves: 8–10

Ingredients

• 1 fully cooked ham (5–7 lbs)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1 cup crushed pineapple
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cloves

Instructions

1. Place the ham in the slow cooker flat side down, discarding any packaging liquid.
2. Make the glaze by mixing brown sugar, pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, cinnamon, and cloves in a bowl.
3. Pour the glaze evenly over the ham, coating all sides.
4. Cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
5. Baste occasionally with the cooking liquid to keep the ham moist and help the glaze caramelize.
6. Slice and serve, drizzled with the remaining glaze from the pot.

Pro Tips

• Add a splash of apple cider to the glaze for a deeper, more complex flavor.
• Use a meat thermometer — the internal temperature should reach 140°F for a fully cooked ham.
• Don’t skip basting — it’s the key to a sticky, caramelized finish.

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham

A tender and juicy ham coated in caramelized brown sugar and fruity pineapple, cooked in a slow cooker for maximum flavor.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ham Preparation

• 1 piece fully cooked ham (5-7 pounds) Ensure the ham is fully cooked before starting.

Glaze Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1 cup crushed pineapple
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Method

 

Preparation

1. Remove the ham from its packaging, draining any liquid. Place the ham in the slow cooker, flat side down.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves to make the glaze.
3. Pour the glaze evenly over the ham, ensuring all sides are covered.

Cooking

1. Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 6-8 hours. For a quicker option, set it on high for about 4 hours.
2. Baste the ham with the cooking liquid occasionally to keep it moist and flavorful.

Serving

1. Once cooked, carefully remove the ham and slice it for serving. Drizzle some of the remaining glaze on top, and enjoy!

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or freeze for 3 months. Reheat in a covered baking dish at 350°F until heated through.