Heating Ham In Slow Cooker

Do you have other holiday recipes taking up all your oven space? Here's how to cook ham in a Crock-Pot for a tender, flavorful feast.

You're hosting the family's holiday dinner. (In my family, ham is THE Easter staple, but it pops up at Christmas, too.) Let's say your oven is busy with the homemade rolls and a much-loved candied carrots side dish. What about the ham?! Don't worry—your slow cooker will save the day.

You can cook ham in a Crock-Pot—here's how.

How Long Does It Take to Cook a Precooked Ham?

It depends—but usually about five hours. Since most hams are precooked, you're really heating rather than cooking. With the slow cooker set on low, put the ham in about five hours before dinner. That's for an 8-10 pound ham.

How to Heat a Ham in a Slow Cooker

Heating up a ham in a Crock-Pot could not be simpler. First, cut the ham in half and put it in your 5-qt. slow cooker. Add 1½ cup of ginger ale. (You can use another white soda in a pinch, but the ginger adds a nice touch here.) Use a slightly spicy brand of ginger beer such as Reed's if you're feeling adventurous.

Here's the hands-off part: You cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until heated through.

To make a glaze, you can mix together 1/4 cup honey plus 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Just pour over the ham and cook another half hour. That's it!

How Do You Reheat a Ham Without Drying It Out?

On the off chance that there are leftovers, (too many deviled eggs before dinner, perhaps?) your slow cooker can also help you reheat the ham.

Just put your cooked ham slices in a slow cooker on the low setting along with some added liquid—more ginger ale will do, but you can give your leftovers a new spin and add broth, barbecue or hoisin sauce, orange juice or apple cider. Cook until heated through.

You can also reheat slices or chunks of ham in a skillet until they are slightly browned on either side—or simmer the ham in the skillet with a cup of water or broth for a couple minutes.

Even better—use your delicious leftover meat to make ham and cheese muffins and spread the holiday cheer to Monday morning!

Serve an Easy 5-Ingredient Side Dish With Your Slow Cooker Ham

Minty Peas and Onions

Mother could always rely on peas and onions when she was in a hurry and needed a quick side. Besides being easy to prepare, this dish was loved by everyone in our family. It was handed down to my mother by my grandmother. —Santa D'Addario, Jacksonville, Florida

Roasted Carrots with Thyme

These roasted carrots are so simple but always a hit. Cutting the carrots lengthwise makes this dish look extra pretty.—Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri

Mashed Cauliflower

This is our choice for a side dish that's lower in carbs than mashed potatoes but just as flavorful and satisfying. I suggest garnishing it with chopped green onions. —Tina Martini, Sparks, Nevada

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Asparagus never tasted so good! Simply seasoned with butter and green onions, they taste fresh and keep their bright green color, too. They're so good, you might want to make extra. This is how to cook asparagus in the oven. —Jody Fisher, Stewartstown, Pennsylvania

Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

This side always takes my guests by surprise because of the smoky, creamy flavor. No doubt you'll get major kudos when you place these potatoes on your table. —Cynthia Boberskyj Rochester, NY

Two-Berry Fluff Salad

This fluffy salad is a welcome treat on warm Texas afternoons. Because there's a blueberry orchard near our home, we often pick up berries to use in this recipe and others. When blueberries and strawberries aren't in season, you can substitute frozen berries with equally good results. —Karen Wenzel, Conroe, Texas

Chard with Bacon-Citrus Sauce

Chard is a leafy veggie often used in Mediterranean cooking. I dress it with orange juice and bacon, and the family gobbles it up. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Garlic-Cheese Crescent Rolls

Upgrade your basic crescent roll recipe! Here's a recipe that just couldn't be much quicker or easier and is sure to add a nice touch to any dinner. The garlic and Parmesan flavors really come through. Enjoy! —Lori Abad, East Haven, Connecticut

Quinoa with Peas and Onion

I make this a lot for my son, who's a picky eater. He loves it! —Lori Panarella, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

Better Brussels Sprouts

This is the only way my kids will eat Brussels sprouts! It's actually ideal for me because this dish is fast, easy and healthy, and it makes a lovely side. Quick-cooking Brussels sprout halves are available in the prepackaged salad aisle at the grocery store. They're a timesaver if you can find them, but you can always just buy whole ones and slice them in half. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Sweet Carrots

Here's a flavorful way to dress up carrots without a lot of fuss. Simply steam the good-for-you veggies, then season with butter, brown sugar, vinegar and a sprinkling of chives. The carrots are not only colorful, but they're tasty, too. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cheddar Spirals

Our kids always loved this cheesy pasta and would sample a spoonful right from the slow cooker when they walked by. Adding cocktail sausages, sliced Polish sausage or cubed ham makes it a hearty dinner. —Heidi Ferkovich, Park Falls, Wisconsin

Mediterranean Cauliflower

I adapted a recipe I received from a friend to make this delicious—and deliciously different—cauliflower dish. It's prepared quickly in a skillet and uses only a handful of ingredients. What a great way to take ordinary cauliflower to a whole new level! —Valerie Smith, Aston, Pennsylvania

Mom's Buttermilk Biscuits

These fluffy biscuits are so tasty slathered with butter or used to mop up every last drop of gravy off your plate. I can still see Mom pulling these tender gems out of the oven. —Vera Reid, Laramie, Wyoming

Parmesan Asparagus

Nothing could be more simple than this side dish. Since it has just four ingredients, I assemble it in no time, then pop it into the oven for about 15 minutes. It turns out perfect every time. —Mary Ann Marino, West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Lemon Garlic Mushrooms

I baste whole mushrooms with a lemony sauce to prepare this simple side dish. Using skewers or a basket makes it easy to turn them as they grill to perfection. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida

Cumin-Roasted Carrots

Carrots make a super side—big on flavor and a breeze to cook. Plus, I can actually get my husband to eat these fragrant, deeply spiced veggies. —Taylor Kiser, Brandon, Florida

Simple Lime Gelatin Salad

Looking for a festive dish to light up the buffet? This pretty green gelatin salad is eye-catching and has a delightful, tangy flavor. —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa

Roasted Honey Sweet Potatoes

Cinnamon and honey bring out the natural earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes in this simple, elegant side dish. —Laura Mifsud, Northville, Michigan

Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Casserole

People who don't even usually like broccoli casserole beg me to make this comforting broccoli cheese casserole recipe. It's similar to a classic green bean casserole, but the melted cheese just puts it over the top. —Elaine Hubbard, Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania

Italian Mushrooms

Only four ingredients create a rich and flavorful side dish that we love to eat with beef and mashed potatoes. —Kim Reichert, St. Paul, Minnesota

Buttermilk Mac 'n' Cheese

Once you taste this version of an all-time favorite comfort food, you may never make the regular kind again. It's my most-requested recipe. —Donna Fancher, Lawrence, Indiana

Glazed Ranch Carrots

We love these tasty ranch carrots. The side dish relies on packages of baby carrots and ranch dressing mix, so there's no time-consuming prep. —Marion Reed, Omak, Washington

Roasted Rosemary Cauliflower

Roasting the cauliflower really brings out its flavor in this side dish. Even folks who aren't cauliflower lovers like it this way. —Joann Fritzler, Belen, New Mexico

Zucchini Mushroom Bake

Just a 10-minute prep dresses up my garden-fresh zucchini, adding mushrooms, onion, cheddar and a sprinkle of basil. —Jacquelyn Smith, Carmel, Maine

Spinach-Parm Casserole

For those who ignore Popeye and won't eat their spinach, I find that spinach with garlicky butter and Parmesan helps change their minds. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida

Cherry Tomato Mozzarella Saute

This side dish is full of flavor and so quick to put together. The cherry tomatoes and mozzarella are perfect alongside almost any main dish you can think of. —Summer Jones, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Cheesy Grits

As a comfy side dish, cheese grits have fantastic potential but sometimes need a flavor boost. For add-ins, try red pepper flakes, fresh rosemary or crushed garlic. —Paula Hughes, Birmingham, Alabama

Mashed Cauliflower with Parmesan

I couldn't shake my mashed potato habit—until I tried mashed cauliflower with a similar consistency. I started making my own, and my family loves it. —Meredith Howard, Franklin, Kentucky

Slow-Cooker Dressing

Here's an easy dressing that's perfect for Thanksgiving get-togethers. Once it's in the slow cooker, you're free to turn your attention to the other dishes. —Rita Nodland, Bismarck, North Dakota

Oven-Roasted Tomatoes

I love tomatoes, and these are healthy and versatile. You can use them in sandwiches or omelets, or to top broiled chicken. —Julie Gomez, Downey, California

Creamy Hash Brown Potatoes

Convenient frozen hash browns are the secret behind the cheesy slow-cooker potatoes I cook up for potlucks and big group gatherings. —Julianne Henson, Streamwood, Illinois

Slow-Cooked Green Beans

I spent hours in search of sides for a cooking demo to present to women from my church. These easy green beans became my star attraction. —Alice White, Willow Spring, North Carolina

Potato Kugel

The secret to keeping your potatoes their whitest is to switch back and forth when grating the potatoes and onion in your food processor or box grater. —Ellen Ruzinsky, Yorktown Heights, New York

Fresh Fruit Bowl

The glorious colors of the fruit make this a festive salad. Slightly sweet and chilled, it makes a nice accompaniment to a grilled entree. —Marlon Kirst, Troy, Michigan

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Garlic

When we have company, these sprouts are my go-to side dish because they look and taste fantastic. Fancy them up a notch with pancetta instead of bacon. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

Glorified Hash Browns

You'll be surprised at how quick and easy it is to put together this dressed-up potato casserole! When a friend made it for a church supper, I had to have the recipe. It's great for parties, potlucks and family reunions. —Betty Sitzman, Wray, Colorado

Pesto Pasta & Potatoes

Although this healthy pasta dish is pretty simple to begin with, it's made even easier because you can throw the green beans and pasta into one big pot to cook. —Laura Flowers, Moscow, Idaho

Parmesan-Ranch Pan Rolls

Mom taught me this easy recipe, which is perfect for feeding a crowd. There is never a crumb left over. Mom used her own bread dough, but using frozen dough is my shortcut. I make a wheat bread dough version with poppy and sesame seeds that's popular, too. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Browned Butter Red Potatoes

I've been making my version of Dad's potatoes for years, and it goes great with any meal. Browning the butter gives the potatoes a whole new taste. —Anne Pavelak, Endicott, Washington

Brandy-Glazed Carrots

Carrots sport a light brandy sauce for a beautiful side with mass appeal. —Tammy Landry, Saucier, Mississippi

Feather-Light Biscuits

I usually used a glass as a cutter so the biscuits are bigger than average size, and I always baked some extras to send home with the kids. They liked to split them and fill them with cheese or peanut butter and strawberry jam. —Eleanore Hill, Fresno, California

Cheesy Hash Brown Bake

These cheesy hashbrown potatoes were so popular at the morning meetings of our Mothers of Preschoolers group that we published it in our newsletter. It's a great dish for busy moms because it can be prepared ahead of time. It's perfect for brunches or to serve on Christmas morning. It's creamy, comforting and tasty. —Karen Burns, Chandler, Texas

Apricot Gelatin Mold

My mother always made this apricot Jell-O salad for celebrations. When my husband and I were dating, he fell in love with this dish and, as soon as we were married, asked me to get the recipe. You can substitute peach or orange gelatin for a fresh summer treat. —Suzanne Holcomb, St. Johnsville, New York

Super-Simple Garlic Broccoli

My kids love broccoli, especially with lots of garlic. It's great for a special occasion, but it's so quick that I usually fix it once a week in our home. Everyone gobbles it up. —Caramia Sommers, Oswego, New York

Green Beans with Yellow-Pepper Butter

Colorful, crunchy and buttery, this bean dish comes together quickly and will be a hit at your holiday table. For variation, sprinkle toasted pine nuts over the top just before serving. —Judie White, Florien, Louisiana

Roasted Cauliflower & Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

This deeply delicious recipe is a surefire way to get my husband to enjoy Brussels sprouts. Between the roasted flavor of the veggies and smoky, crisp bacon, it will convert even the pickiest eater. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida

Mediterranean Mashed Potatoes

It's hard for our family to imagine eating mashed potatoes any other way but this. It tastes great on its own or drizzled with tahini sauce. —Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland

Monkey Bread Biscuits

I came up with an easy, savory—instead of sweet—dinner version of monkey bread featuring garlic and Italian seasoning. —Dana Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

Brussels Sprouts with Garlic & Goat Cheese

I wanted to up my veggie game, so I smothered Brussels sprouts with garlic and goat cheese. It's really a side dish, but I love to eat it for lunch! —Brenda Williams, Santa Maria, California

Heating Ham In Slow Cooker

Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-cook-ham-in-crock-pot/

Posted by: stewartlethemstes.blogspot.com

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