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Slow Cooker Easter Ham Honey Mustard Easy Recipe

There’s something about a Slow Cooker Easter Ham Honey Mustard that just feels like celebration without the fuss. The sweet-tangy glaze gets all glossy and caramelized while the ham stays crazy tenderno oven wrestling required.

I started making this a few springs ago when I realized I didn’t want to heat up the whole kitchen for a centerpiece dinner. After a long day, I need dinner to be comforting but not heavyand this nails it. The honey mustard does all the work while you basically forget about it, and after testing this thing more times than I can count (ten years of blogging will do that), I can promise the glaze thickens up perfectly every single time.

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Slow Cooker Easter Ham Honey Mustard Easy Recipe


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  • Author: Anett Roettges
  • Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 810 servings 1x

Description

This Slow Cooker Easter Ham Honey Mustard recipe offers a tender and juicy ham glazed in a sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce. Perfect for an easy dinner, weeknight meal, or family dinner with slow cooker ham that everyone loves.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 810 pound (3.6-4.5kg) fully cooked ham
  • ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar light or dark
  • ½ cup (120ml) honey
  • ¼ cup (70g) Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon ground clove
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Place the fully cooked ham in a slow cooker that is at least 6 quarts.
  2. Mix brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, ground clove, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl and pour this glaze evenly over the ham.
  3. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 4 hours until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. Carefully remove the ham from the slow cooker and loosely cover it to rest.
  5. Pour the cooking juices into a saucepan, bring them to a simmer, then slowly whisk in a cornstarch and water mixture to thicken the sauce.
  6. Brush the thickened glaze over sliced ham before serving for extra flavor.

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container with juices in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
  • This recipe fits an 8-10 pound ham in a 6 quart slow cooker
  • If the ham is too tall, trim it so the lid fits
  • It also works well with fully cooked spiral cut ham
  • Cooking on LOW is preferred for tender results, and basting is optional
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Method: Slow Cooker

Nutrition

  • Calories: 782kcal
  • Sugar: 27g
  • Sodium: 5325mg
  • Fat: 35g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g + 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0.001g
  • Carbohydrates: 27g
  • Fiber: 0.4g
  • Protein: 86g
  • Cholesterol: 331mg

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Easter Ham Honey Mustard

This is one of those reliable weeknight wins that gets you back into a rhythmespecially when you want dinner to feel special but don’t have the energy for fussing around the oven. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, and you get tender, glossy ham without hovering or basting.

  • Minimal hands-on time: Just mix the glaze, pour it over, and walk away.
  • Sweet-tangy perfection: The honey mustard glaze balances warmth and brightness beautifully.
  • Feeds a crowd easily: Perfect for family dinners or gatherings without stress.
  • Leftovers that shine: Great for sandwiches, breakfast scrambles, or quick lunches all week.
Slow cooker Easter ham with honey mustard glaze, glossy and golden, centered on a serving platter

What You’ll Need (Ingredients & Tools)

You probably have most of these staples in your pantry already. The glaze comes together with brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, ground clove, and ground cinnamonsimple, but the flavor punch is real.

For the ham: Use a fully cooked ham (8-10 pounds works great in a 6-quart slow cooker). If your ham is a little too tall, trimming a couple inches off the top helps the lid fit snugly.

Tools you’ll need: A 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker, a small mixing bowl for the glaze, and a saucepan if you want to thicken the juices at the end (totally optional, but worth it).

How It All Comes Together

This couldn’t be easier. You place the ham in the slow cooker, whisk together the glaze ingredients, and pour everything over the top. Cover and let it cook low and slow until the internal temperature hits 140°Fusually around 4-6 hours on LOW or 2-4 hours on HIGH.

Once it’s done, pull the ham out and let it rest loosely covered. If you want a thicker glaze (highly recommend), pour the cooking juices into a saucepan, bring to a simmer, and whisk in a cornstarch slurry until glossy and luscious. Brush it over the sliced ham before serving.

Cooking MethodTimeInternal Temp
LOW4-6 hours140°F (60°C)
HIGH2-4 hours140°F (60°C)

Simple Swaps & Tweaks

You can absolutely use a spiral-cut ham for thisit soaks up the glaze even faster. If you don’t have Dijon mustard, yellow mustard works in a pinch (just add a splash more honey to balance the tang).

Want a little heat? A pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika in the glaze adds warmth without overpowering the sweetness. And if you’re not into clove, just leave it outthe cinnamon and honey carry plenty of cozy flavor on their own.

IngredientSwap Option
Dijon mustardYellow mustard + extra honey
Brown sugarMaple syrup or coconut sugar
Ground cloveNutmeg or omit entirely
Fully cooked hamSpiral-cut ham (same cook time)

Serving & Storage Tips

Serve this ham sliced thick with the glossy glaze brushed over the top. It pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad. Leftovers are a giftchop them up for omelets, toss into pasta, or pile onto sandwiches with a smear of the leftover glaze.

Storage: Keep the ham in an airtight container submerged in its juices in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or a low oven to keep it tender.

What Makes This Recipe So Forgiving

If you’re nervous about drying out the ham, don’t be. Cooking on LOW keeps everything juicy and tender, and since the ham is already fully cooked, you’re really just warming it through and letting the glaze work its magic.

No need to baste during cookingthough if it makes you feel better, go ahead! The slow cooker traps all the moisture, so even if you forget about it for an extra hour, it’ll still turn out beautifully.

For more cozy recipes, follow me on Pinterest!

How I Finally Perfected My Slow Cooker Easter Ham Honey Mustard

This Slow Cooker Easter Ham Honey Mustard took longer than I’d like to admit to get right. My first attempt was too salty, the second too sweet, and the third lacked that sticky glaze I wanted. Now it’s balanced, simple, and actually saves me oven space on busy holidays.

FAQs ( Slow Cooker Easter Ham Honey Mustard )

How long does it take to cook ham in slow cooker?

Cook for 4-6 hours on low heat, depending on the size of your ham. A 6-8 pound ham typically takes about 5 hours. The internal temperature should reach 140°F for pre-cooked ham. Always check with a meat thermometer for food safety.

Can I use spiral cut ham for this recipe?

Yes, spiral cut ham works perfectly for this dish. The honey mustard glaze will seep into the cuts, creating incredible flavor throughout. Just reduce cooking time by about 30 minutes since spiral cuts heat faster than whole hams.

What type of mustard works best?

Dijon mustard creates the perfect balance of tangy and smooth flavor. You can also use whole grain mustard for texture or yellow mustard for a milder taste. Avoid overly spicy varieties that might overpower the honey sweetness.

Should I add liquid to the slow cooker?

Add about 1/2 cup of water or apple juice to prevent sticking and create steam. The ham will release its own juices as it cooks. Too much liquid will dilute the honey mustard flavors, so keep it minimal.

How do I prevent the glaze from burning?

Apply the honey mustard glaze during the last hour of cooking only. Cover the slow cooker to trap moisture and cook on low heat throughout. If edges start browning too much, tent with foil for the remaining time.

Slow cooker Easter ham with honey mustard glaze, Pinterest-ready pin image

This Slow Cooker Easter Ham Honey Mustard takes about 4-6 hours on LOW and comes out tender, glossy, and ridiculously easy to slice. You’ll love how the glaze clings to every piece without any fussing. It’s the kind of centerpiece dinner that feels celebratory but doesn’t ask much of youjust a little patience and a good slow cooker.

If you want extra caramelization, broil the sliced ham for a couple of minutes after brushing on the thickened glaze. Leftovers are incredible tucked into biscuits with a little sharp cheddar or tossed into a quick fried rice. My aunt always said the best hams are the ones you can set and forgetand she was absolutely right. Store any extras in the cooking juices to keep them moist, and reheat gently so they stay just as tender.

I’d love to hear if you made this for Easter or just because it sounded good on a Tuesday night. Did your family have a go-to ham recipe growing up? Drop a comment or snap a photo and tag meI always love seeing your tables. Save this one for your next gathering, or share it with someone who needs an easy win in the kitchen. Some nights just need an easy dinner that still feels like home.

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