Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Brown Sugar Ham

It was a chilly winter afternoon, and my grandmother was in the kitchen preparing for our annual holiday feast. The aroma of roasting vegetables and simmering sauces filled the house, but what I couldn’t wait to try was the ham. Every year, she made the most delicious, melt-in-your-mouth ham, and the secret? A simple brown sugar glaze that had just the right amount of sweetness and tang.

This year, though, I decided to try my hand at making it myself. But instead of spending hours in front of the oven, I discovered an even easier way: the slow cooker. With only four ingredients, I was able to replicate my grandmother’s recipe—and the result was just as mouthwatering as I remembered.

As the ham slowly cooked away, the glaze bubbling up and caramelizing, I couldn’t help but think of how many holiday meals this simple dish has graced. Whether it’s a family gathering, a special celebration, or just a cozy dinner at home, this Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Brown Sugar Ham has a way of making everything feel a little more festive.

Now, it’s your turn to bring that sweet, savory magic to your table!

Ingredients:

1. 1 fully cooked ham (about 6-8 pounds)

2. 1 cup brown sugar (packed)

3. 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup

4. 1/4 cup Dijon mustard or yellow mustard

Instructions:

1. Prepare the ham:
   If your ham is in a net or packaging, remove it. You don’t need to trim it, but score the top of the ham with a knife in a crisscross pattern. This will help the glaze soak into the ham.

2. Make the glaze:
   In a medium-sized bowl, mix the brown sugar, honey (or maple syrup), and mustard. Stir until combined.

3. Prepare the slow cooker:
   Place the ham in your slow cooker, flat side down. You want the cut side facing the bottom.

4. Apply the glaze:
   Pour the glaze over the ham. Use a spoon or brush to spread the glaze evenly over the entire surface of the ham, making sure to get into the cuts.

5. Cook the ham:
   Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for about 4-6 hours. If you want to get a little crispy on the edges, you can uncover it for the last 30 minutes.

6. Serve:
   Once the ham is heated through and caramelized, slice it up and serve. You can spoon extra glaze over the slices or serve it on the side!

Tips:

• You can also use a boneless ham if you prefer less prep, but the bone-in variety often has more flavor.

• If you have a smaller or larger ham, adjust the cooking time accordingly.

• Leftover ham is great for sandwiches, soups, or salads!