Brown Sugar And Pineapple Ham
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
A smoky flavor in each slice of ham is enhanced by a sweet, citrus glaze to create our Brown Sugar and Pineapple Ham made in the crockpot.
Serve this easy ham with Farmhouse Mashed Potatoes and Scalloped Country Corn or Jiffy Corn Casserole for an easy and memorable holiday meal or weeknight family meal.
Brown Sugar and Pineapple Crockpot Ham Recipe
A beautiful boneless ham is so easy to warm up in a slow cooker. Add flavor in a super easy glaze made with pineapple juice, pineapple rings and a sprinkling of brown sugar.
Sweet pineapple and brown sugar perfectly complement a nice smoked ham. Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is the easiest way we’ve ever made a boneless ham! It’s so easy to serve a crowd right out of the slow cooker!
Pineapple and brown sugar are the most basic and most classic glaze ingredients for ham. Our Farmhouse Ham Loaf has an amazing glaze, so we modified it a little bit to make a sweet and easy glaze for a whole ham.
Another popular flavor is a Rootbeer Glazed Ham, which is similar but doesn’t have any fruit.
Pineapple Ham In A Crock Pot
I enjoy pineapple with my ham. We like to use rings of pineapple for a classic look at family gatherings and holidays. Crushed pineapple is easier to serve and eat for a large crowd.
To maximize flavor in a whole (unsliced) ham make shallow slits on top for flavor to soak in or slice ham. I like to slice a boneless ham while it’s cold before cooking so that when the ham is done it can be served right away.
If a ham is presliced try to keep the slices together while arranging the ham in the crock pot. The brown sugar and pineapple juice will naturally fall down in between each slice. Slices that are pushed open may burn and not cook faster than the center of the ham
Slices of ham can be enjoyed with pineapple, used to make a sandwich or add a slice of cheese for a quick protein packed roll-up. Sometimes kids don’t want “stuff” on their ham, so the pineapple is easy to brush off. My dad enjoys his slices of ham served in the light pineapple glaze or syrup.
Ingredients Needed to Make Pineapple Ham
- Ham – This combination creates a generous amount of glaze for an 8 to 10 pound ham.
- Pineapple – A can of slices or pineapple rings is most eye appealing resting on the ham, but any type of canned pineapple works okay in this recipe.
- Brown Sugar – Spread it over the top of the ham for a sweet touch that cooks into the meat as it warms.
We have tested adding a little mustard and vinegar to our glaze, but really a simple combination of brown sugar and pineapple tastes about the same.
Another variation is spooning out some sauce before serving the ham and adding 1/2 cup of honey or maple syrup. Simmer with juice in a sauce pan and then pour over the ham on a serving platter.
Ideas for Leftover Ham
I always cook extra ham because we enjoy so many meals with leftover ham! When I’m feeling fancy I grind some ham up in the food processor to make these incredible Farmhouse Ham Balls.
My kids love this No-Boil Mac & Cheese with Ham or Ham & Alfredo Spaghetti. These are the easiest options!
For a quick lunch or lighter meal we enjoy Ham Sliders.
On cold days Ham & Potato Soup or Crock Pot Ham, Potato & Mushroom Soup warm us up.
And breakfast is another great time to use up ham in a Ham, Egg & Cheese Casserole.
What Type of Ham is the Easiest to Make?
The absolute quickest and easiest ham to make is a pre-sliced boneless ham. These are often available around the holidays at Sam’s Club or Costco.
Another more economical option is a whole, boneless ham. These are typically tube shaped and can be sliced quickly with an electric knife. Each slice will be about the same size making this easiest to serve equal portions to a crowd.
While keeping the bone in does mean a little more flavor it definitely takes more time and effort to carve.
When I’m feeding a crowd our Ham in An Electric Roaster makes life much easier!
How Long to Cook Ham in the Crock Pot
When working with a fully cooked ham the goal is to warm it during the cooking process. I always use a my digital meat thermometer to check the temp in the center of the ham. Warm food is a personal preference and I like for my ham to be 140 degrees F when serving.
Cook ham on low in the slow cooker for 15 – 20 minutes per pound. Use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature during the cooking process and turn to weep warm as the temp approaches 140 degrees F. Know that slow cookers temperatures can vary, so cooking times may vary.
Know that most ham is fully cooked during the smoking process, but I always read the label to double-check. Warming ham is much different than cooking raw meat, so the key to keeping ham juicy is not to overcook it. Get the ham warmed and enjoy it, don’t keep cooking longer than necessary because that’s when the meat dries out.
The FDA says that 140 or above is a safe temperature to keep hot foods hot.
Most ham has water added, depending on the amount of water added, a longer cooking time means more of the water will cook out of the ham which may dry it out. Moral of the story – less is more when heating a fully cooked meat item.
How to Make Brown Sugar and Pineapple Ham
Set ham in a large crock pot coated with non-stick spray. Take care to keep the slices as tight together as possible to help the ham cook evenly.
Juices in the ham package can be poured into the crock.
Sprinkle brown sugar as evenly over top of the ham as possible.
Pour pineapple juice in the crock pot and lay slices of pineapple around the sides of the ham. Try not to move the sugar.
While mixture is heating I like to slice ham and arrange in a lined or greased slow cooker.
Cover slow cooker so that lid fits tightly on the crock.
A 10 pound ham cooks on low in 4.5 to 5.5 hours and on high in 3.5 to 4.5 hours. Use a meat thermometer to test that the internal temperature of the ham has reached 140°F. Turn to keep warm when ready to serve.
Use a baster or ladle to keep ham covered in this sweet glaze for a delicious meal!
Devices vary greatly, so test this recipe in your own home for best results.
What If Ham Doesn’t Fit In Crock Pot?
Before unwrapping ham set it in the crock and cover with the lid. Be sure that you can arrange the ham on its side, cut side down, or otherwise that the lid can fit tightly.
If the crock pot lid does not set tightly on the crock on all sides the ham will not cook evenly and efficiently as heat will escape through the gap.
If necessary unwrap the ham and slice off a chunk to allow the lid to fight tightly on the crock.
The lid absolutely has to seal and fit tightly to the crock for the ham to cook properly and safely.
Other Holiday Recipes to Serve with Ham:
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- Cornbread Casserole
- Pink Slush Punch
- Sweet Potato Souffle
- Grandma’s Dressing Recipe
- Honey Garlic Roasted Potatoes
Printable Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Recipe
Brown Sugar and Pineapple Ham
Author: JenniferIngredients
- 20 ounce can pineapple slices
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 7 – 10 pound ham boneless and sliced
Instructions
- Grease crock or use a non-stick liner. Add sliced ham to slow cooker.7 – 10 pound ham
- Pour pineapple juice from can over ham. Then sprinkle brown sugar over the ham keeping as much on top as possible.1 cup brown sugar
- Arrange pineapple slices around the edge of the ham.20 ounce can pineapple slices
- Cover so that lid fits tightly to the crock and cook on low for 4.5 to 5.5 hours or on high in 3.5 to 4.5 hours or until a digital meat thermometer inserted in the center of the ham has reached 140℉.
- Use baster or ladle to cover ham with pineapple and brown sugar glaze before serving.
Originally shared on April 15, 2020 with updates made on March 1, 2024.
