Instant Pot Slow Cooker Ham Recipe

11.03.19

Updated: 10.14.20

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This Crockpot Brown Sugar Cola Glazed Ham recipe requires only 5 minutes of prep time to make this incredible brown sugar and cola glaze then pour it over the ham, set it and forget it for a few hours. You'll be rewarded with the most tender and delicious crockpot ham ever.

This recipe comes complete with instructions on how to cook this ham in the oven or in your pressure cooker!

overhead show of Crockpot Brown Sugar Cola Glazed Ham on a platter garnished with oranges and pomegranates seeds

Easy Crockpot Ham

So are you a turkey or ham fan for big family dinners? I don't know if I can decide, but my mom always makes turkey. A few years ago I ventured into the land of ham and I'm so glad I did. I really do love ham, hubs too of course, because we just love pork in this house. These are also pretty much the only leftovers in the world that I actually look forward to!

No oven is required for this ham! All of us who have had to prepare a big dinner know how much that helps when there are so many other dishes fighting for some oven space. The best part about this ham is that it's only 4 ingredients! No, you're not dreaming! All you need for said ham is your good old crockpot and this easy step-by-step guide.

Ingredient Notes

overhead shot of ingredients needed to make Crockpot Brown Sugar Cola Glazed Ham

Ham – Check out my guide below for tips on buying the best ham.
Cola – You can use any type of cola that you prefer. No brand is necessarily superior to the others when we end up cooking it down! I used a Mexican cola, Jarritos.
Brown sugar – I used regular brown sugar. Light and dark brown sugar will also work! It depends on how much of a molasses flavor you want in the glaze.
Dijon mustard – I've made this with both whole grain dijon or regular dijon mustard. You can use any mustard you like, one made with herbs or white wine, or go for a classic yellow mustard if that's your hit.

That's it, folks! Dinner doesn't get any easier than this.

Crockpot Brown Sugar Cola Glazed Ham in a slow cooker

What Is the Best Ham to Buy?

I've made this recipe with both a butt-end ham and a spiral cut ham. Precooked whole spiral-cut hams with bone in are probably the best hams to use because that glaze can settle into every slice. If you can only find a butt-end ham, that's totally okay! I can vouch that it tastes incredible. You can also ask your local butcher to spiralize it for you.

Butt-end hams tend to fit into typical slow cookers better. I once bought a spiral-cut leg of pork that did not fit in my crockpot and my husband had to cut most of the bone out so we could fit it. So, consider your slow cooker size when purchasing a ham.

3 Main Types of Ham:

Fresh Ham is uncured leg of pork and it is uncooked pork roast which must be cooked before serving. Note that it must have "fresh" as part of its name.

Cured Ham is a leg of pork which can be cured in one of two ways; brined or cured with a dry rub and hung to dry. These hams can be ready to eat or may require cooking. If they require cooking, they must be labeled with cooking instructions.

Cured and Smoked Ham is the same as cured ham except they are smoked.

process shots showing how to make Crockpot Brown Sugar Cola Glazed Ham

How Sweet Is Glazed Ham?

You'll most commonly find cured hams at your grocery store which have been brined. This is great because they cook up faster, and they're seasoned all the way through. With that brine, they're mush saltier than a fresh ham. By cooking the ham in a nice sweet glaze you create the perfect sweet and savory balance.

The sugar in the glaze mellows out that saltiness and creates the best ham you'll ever taste. I always reserve the cooking liquid and serve it with the ham. That way, everyone can adjust how sweet their own servings of ham are by spooning some extra sauce over their slices.

How to Make Crockpot Brown Sugar Cola Glazed Ham

Prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, add the cola, brown sugar, and the mustard. Cook and stir frequently until the sugar has dissolved completely.
Cook the ham: Place the ham in the slow cooker. Pour the glaze over the ham, and cook for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. Baste the ham with the cooking juices every hour or so.
Serve: Let the ham cool down, then slice up and serve. Reserve the cooking juices and serve in a gravy boat on the side.

ham on a plater garnished with oranges and pomegranates seeds

How to Make Ham in the Oven

Add the ham to a large roasting pan. Pour the glaze over it and sprinkle with remaining brown sugar. If the lid doesn't fit over the ham, you can cover it with foil.

Bake at 325F for15-20 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should read140F when it's all done. Baste the ham every hour or so, and you can leave the foil off for the last15-10 minutes to let the exterior crisp up a bit if you'd like.

How To Make Ham In The Pressure Cooker

Prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, add the cola, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and the mustard. Cook and stir frequently until the sugar has dissolved completely.
Cook the ham: Place the ham in the Instant Pot. Pour the glaze over the ham, then close the lid (follow the manufacturer's guide for instructions on how to close the instant pot lid). Set the Instant Pot to the Manual/High Pressure setting and set the timer to20 minutes.
Remove the Instant Pot lid:Once the Instant Pot cycle is complete, wait until the natural release cycle is complete, should take about 15 minutes. Carefully unlock and remove the lid from the instant pot. Carefully transfer the ham to a large serving platter.
Serve: Let the ham cool down, then slice up and serve. Reserve the cooking juices and serve in a gravy boat on the side.

How to Serve

Plan on at least 1/3 to 1/2 pound of ham per person and buy according to how many you're serving. However, I like to buy a larger ham than I'll need so that I can enjoy those awesome leftovers.

Try this ham with any of your favorite sides! These are some of my go-to side dishes for any big family dinner:

Mashed Potatoes
Old Fashioned Green Beans
No Knead Skillet Bread
Sweet Potato Casserole
Italian Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
Brandy Glazed Carrots
Green Bean Casserole From Scratch
Loaded Scalloped Potatoes
Potatoes Au Gratin

overhead shot of some ham slices next to mashed potatoes

How To Store Leftover Ham

Store the ham in anairtight container in the fridge and it will last for3-5 days. You can also freeze it for3-4 months. You can reheat it in the microwave, in your crockpot, or covered over medium heat on the stove.Save that glaze and reheat your ham with it!

Try these recipes with your leftover ham:

Leftover Ham and Bean Soup
Ham and Cheese Pockets
Leftover Ham and Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Olive Ham and Cheese Loaf
Leftover Ham and Cheese Penne

Craving More Crockpot Recipes? Try These:

Honey Mustard Glazed Ham
The Best Crock Pot Roast
Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup
Cabbage Rolls

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▢ 5-8 pound cooked ham bone in
▢ 1 can Coca Cola
▢ 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
▢ 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Place the ham in the basin of a slow cooker.
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, cola, and mustard over high heat. Bring to a boil and make sure the sugar has dissolved. Pour the mixture over the ham. If your ham is pre-sliced make sure some of the glaze goes in between the slices.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours, basting with the cooking juices every few hours.
Remove ham from slow cooker and let cool a bit until it can be handled. Slice the ham and serve.
If not serving immediately, preheat the broiler and transfer the ham to a oven-safe baking dish. Brush with some of the leftover liquid and broil for about 5 minutes, glazing with additional liquid as preferred.

Nutrition information based on 5 lb ham.
Store the ham in anairtight container in the fridge and it will last for3-5 days. You can also freeze it for3-4 months. You can reheat it in the microwave, in your crockpot, or covered over medium heat on the stove.Save that glaze and reheat your ham with it!
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Calories: 365 kcal (18%) Carbohydrates: 21 g (7%) Protein: 47 g (94%) Fat: 10 g (15%) Saturated Fat: 3 g (19%) Cholesterol: 133 mg (44%) Sodium: 3848 mg (167%) Potassium: 820 mg (23%) Sugar: 18 g (20%) Calcium: 40 mg (4%) Iron: 4.4 mg (24%)

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: crockpot brown sugar cola glazed ham, crockpot brown sugar ham, crockpot ham

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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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