Lazy-Night Brown Sugar Slow Cooker Ham

Ingredients

• 1 fully cooked boneless spiral ham, about 3 pounds (1360 g)
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar (220 g)
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup (160 g)
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard (60 g)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30 g)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (28 g)
• 1 medium orange, zested and juiced (140 g)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (1 g)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (1 g)
• 1/2 teaspoon fine kosher salt (3 g)

Instructions

1. Prepare cooker. Set a six-quart oval slow cooker on a counter. Remove packaging, including the plastic disk, from ham. Place ham cut-side down in insert. Confirm lid closes without pressing on meat.
2. Mix glaze. Whisk brown sugar, maple syrup, Dijon, vinegar, melted butter, orange zest, orange juice, cloves, pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Stir until no dry sugar remains and the mixture looks glossy. Keep the glaze beside the cooker.
3. Place and glaze. Put ham cut-side down in cooker insert. Spoon half glaze over rounded top and into cut lines. Reserve rest in bowl. Cover cooker securely.
4. Cook slowly. Cook on low for three to four hours. Check at three hours; ham should be hot throughout and spiral slices should separate easily. Avoid repeatedly lifting lid because trapped heat supports steady warming.
5. Finish coating. During the final hour, spoon reserved glaze over the ham. Cover again and let sauce settle around the slices. If the surface looks dry, spoon a little liquid from the insert over it. Do not add water.
6. Rest and slice. Transfer ham to a board with two broad spatulas. Rest ten minutes, then slice along existing spiral lines. Stir juices in insert and spoon them over portions.

Notes

• Boneless spiral ham is simplest here. A bone-in ham works when it fits under the lid, but warming time can run longer. Keep the cut side facing down so the exposed slices collect juices.
• The glaze thickens after resting. For a smoother sauce, stir cooker juices before spooning them over slices. If it becomes overly thick, loosen it with a small spoonful of orange juice.

Nutrition Facts