Easter Slow Cooked Ham
This easy Slow Cooker Ham with Pineapple is one of my favorite hands-off holiday dinners. The ham cooks in orange juice, pineapple juice, maple syrup and brown sugar for a sweet and savory glaze while the slow cooker keeps it juicy and tender.
I started making ham this way after years of baking it in the oven and ending up with ham that was drier than I wanted. Once I moved it to the slow cooker, I never went back. I’ve been making this recipe several times a year for holidays and family dinners ever since.
Making your own glaze also means you don’t have to rely on the glaze packet that comes with the ham, which may not be gluten free. This homemade version uses just a few simple ingredients and is incredibly easy to put together.
How to Cook a Precooked Ham in the Slow Cooker
- Pour the orange juice into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Place the ham in the slow cooker.Use toothpicks to secure the pineapple rings over the ham, then pour the pineapple juice over the top.
- Pour the maple syrup over the ham and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top.Cover the slow cooker.
- If your ham is too large for the lid to fit, cover it securely with foil.
- Cook on high for 6 hours, basting the ham with the juices about once an hour.
- Slice and serve with the juices from the slow cooker.
How do you keep a spiral ham from drying out?
The key is keeping plenty of liquid around the ham while it cooks. The orange juice, pineapple and pineapple juice add moisture while also giving the ham its sweet flavor. I also baste the ham with the juices from the bottom of the slow cooker about once an hour to help keep it moist.
Is ham glaze gluten free?
Not necessarily. Gluten-free status varies by brand, so always check the ingredients and labeling on both the ham and any glaze packet included with it. I prefer to skip the packaged glaze and make my own with orange juice, pineapple, maple syrup and brown sugar.
How Do I Make Slow Cooker Ham with Pineapple Paleo?
A few simple swaps can make this recipe Paleo-friendly:
- Choose a ham without added sugar and check the ingredient list for additives.
- Use freshly squeezed orange juice.
- Replace the brown sugar with coconut sugar.
Enjoy everyone!
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Ingredients
- 1 Ham
- 1 Cup Orange Juice
- ⅓ Cup Maple Syrup
- 1 Can of sliced pineapple with the juice
- ½ Cup Brown Sugar
Instructions
- Pour the orange juice in the bottom of the slow cooker
- Add the ham on top.
- With toothpicks place the pineapple rounds all over the top of the ham.
- Pour the pineapple juice on top.
- Pour the maple syrup all over the top and then crumble the brown sugar over it.
- My lid will not fit with a ham so I use foil.
- Cook it on high for 6 hours. Every hour or so baste it. Pour the juices all over the top to keep it moist. Cut and serve. Enjoy!
Need more dishes for your springtime feast? I’ve got you covered…
- Grain Free Chocolate Cake
- Paleo Praline Sweet Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Savory Sweet Potatoes
- Vegan Cheesy Brussels Sprout Casserole (Gluten Free)
- Paleo Apple Pie
This was originally posted in March 2017. It was updated and re-published in October 2026.
