Effortless Slow Cooked Honey Mustard Spiral Ham: Your Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Holiday Meal
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Transform your holiday dinner with this incredibly easy, show-stopping slow-cooked spiral-cut ham, featuring a rich brown sugar rub and a tangy honey mustard glaze. It’s not just scrumptious; it’s practically mess-free, making it the perfect centerpiece for any celebration.
Every holiday season brings with it the familiar quest for the perfect main dish. Something that impresses guests, fills the home with tantalizing aromas, and doesn’t leave the cook in a state of utter exhaustion. Enter the glorious spiral-cut ham. Specifically, this Slow Cooked Honey Mustard Ham recipe, which promises all the splendor without the stress.
I recently had an experience at Walmart that perfectly encapsulated the magic of a truly great ham. I was browsing the ham selection, a task many of us undertake around the holidays, when a delightful elderly lady, sporting a glittery newsboy cap with a charming bow, approached me. Without hesitation, she pointed directly to a Hormel Cure 81 Cherrywood Bone-in Ham. “This one,” she declared, tapping on the foil-wrapped package, “is the best ham I’ve ever eaten in my whole life. My son made one for Thanksgiving dinner last week, and we just had to have more.” She went on to explain that this particular ham wasn’t available in her hometown, prompting a special trip to stock up. As she loaded several hams into her cart, her enthusiasm was infectious. She even asked her husband, “Just one more?” with a hopeful laugh, and he simply shook his head, likely already envisioning a fridge overflowing with delicious ham.
That, my friends, is true ham love. When a product is so good that it inspires strangers to sing its praises and drives people to buy a cart-full, you know you’ve found something special. I regret not capturing a photo of her with her impressive collection of hams; it would have been a testament to pure culinary devotion.
Why This Hormel Ham is a Cut Above the Rest
The enthusiastic lady wasn’t mistaken; this Hormel Cure 81 ham truly is exceptional. Its pre-sliced, spiral-cut nature means it’s ready to absorb all the delicious flavors you add, ensuring every bite is succulent and flavorful. The bone-in aspect adds depth of flavor and helps keep the ham incredibly moist throughout the cooking process. While my new friend preferred hers with apricot preserves and cola, my personal preference leans heavily towards mustard. There’s something about the tangy, savory kick of mustard that perfectly complements the rich sweetness of ham. This recipe takes that love for mustard to the next level.
Crafting the Perfect Honey Mustard Glaze
My go-to method involves a generous slathering of a brown sugar rub, which creates a sweet, caramelized crust. This is then followed by a vibrant honey and stone-ground mustard glaze. The combination is simply divine. The brown sugar adheres to the ham, creating a sticky base that helps the honey mustard cling to every luscious spiral. As it slowly cooks, the glaze melts and seeps into the ham, infusing it with an irresistible sweet and tangy flavor. It’s a dance of flavors that transforms a simple ham into a culinary masterpiece.
The Magic of Slow Cooking Your Ham
If you’ve never prepared a bone-in spiral-cut ham in a slow cooker, you are missing out on one of the easiest, most impressive, and wonderfully aromatic main dishes imaginable. For someone like me, who tends to create a “disaster zone” in the kitchen when hosting big dinners, the slow cooker is a true savior. My desire for every dish to be “just perfect” often results in a flurry of pots, pans, and burners working overtime. Knowing my tendencies, I consciously seek out recipes that can be made ahead or, even better, prepared in a crock-pot. This keeps them off the stove and out of the line of fire, minimizing the post-dinner cleanup chaos.
Using a slow cooker for ham offers numerous advantages:
- Hands-Off Cooking: Once the ham is prepped and in the slow cooker, you can virtually forget about it until it’s time to serve. This frees you up to focus on side dishes, spending time with guests, or simply relaxing.
- Moisture Retention: The slow, gentle heat of the crock-pot creates a humid environment that locks in moisture, resulting in an incredibly tender and juicy ham every time. No more dry, overcooked ham!
- Frees Up Oven Space: During holiday meals, oven space is prime real estate. Cooking the ham in a slow cooker liberates your oven for casseroles, roasted vegetables, and other essential dishes.
- Flavor Infusion: The prolonged cooking time allows the brown sugar rub and honey mustard glaze to deeply penetrate the ham, infusing it with rich, complex flavors from the inside out.
- Minimal Cleanup: With just the slow cooker insert and a few bowls for mixing, cleanup is significantly reduced compared to traditional oven roasting.
Simple Steps to a Succulent Ham
Preparing this succulent honey mustard ham couldn’t be simpler. You’ll start with two large pieces of aluminum foil, laid out long enough to comfortably wrap your entire ham. Why foil? It creates a snug little packet that helps keep the brown sugar rub and honey mustard glaze right next to the ham, ensuring maximum flavor absorption instead of letting it pool at the bottom of the crock-pot. Place your ham in the center of the foil, then generously rub it down with the thick brown sugar paste. I recommend using the back of a spoon for this to ensure an even, thick layer, as this sweet coating acts as a “glue” for the honey mustard. Next, brush about half of your prepared honey mustard glaze over the ham. Lightly spray the foil with a nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking, then carefully wrap the ham tightly. Finally, gently place your foil-wrapped ham into a 7-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Put the lid on, set it to high for the first hour, then reduce the heat to low for another 5-6 hours.
One of the beauties of this method is that you don’t need to add any additional liquid to the bottom of the slow cooker. The ham comes pre-cooked and naturally releases enough moisture to keep itself incredibly moist and juicy throughout the slow cooking process. After the recommended cooking time, carefully remove the ham from the slow cooker (still in its foil) and check its internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Be sure to insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone, to get an accurate reading. When it reaches 140°F (60°C), you’re almost ready to enjoy! Oh my lordy, the aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely intoxicating at this point.
The Final Touch and Serving
Once your ham has reached the ideal temperature, carefully unwrap it. You’ll notice that the spiral cuts have beautifully expanded, making it even easier to get the remaining honey mustard glaze into every crack and crevice. Brush the rest of that delectable glaze generously over every inch of the ham. The warmth of the ham will help the glaze slightly melt and adhere, creating a beautiful, glossy finish. Now, it’s ready to be carved and served. Each slice will be tender, juicy, and bursting with that perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Get ready for compliments!
Tips for the Perfect Slow Cooker Ham
- Choose the Right Ham: A pre-cooked, spiral-cut, bone-in ham is ideal for this recipe. The spiral cuts allow the glaze to penetrate deep into the meat, and the bone adds flavor and moisture.
- Don’t Skimp on the Rub: The brown sugar paste acts as a barrier and a flavor builder. Apply it generously and evenly.
- Patience is Key: While the slow cooker is mostly hands-off, resist the urge to lift the lid frequently, especially during the initial cooking phase. Each time you open it, heat escapes, and the cooking time will be extended.
- Accurate Temperature Check: Always use a reliable meat thermometer and avoid touching the bone when checking the temperature. The bone heats up faster than the meat and can give a false reading.
- Rest the Ham: While not strictly necessary for a pre-cooked ham, allowing it to rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking can help redistribute the juices, making it even more tender.
Serving Suggestions and Leftover Ideas
This Slow Cooked Honey Mustard Ham is a showstopper on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a variety of classic side dishes. Imagine it alongside fluffy mashed potatoes, tender roasted asparagus, or a vibrant green bean casserole. For a complete holiday spread, consider these complementary recipes:
- Sweet and Soft Hawaiian Rolls: The subtle sweetness of these rolls is a perfect match for the savory ham.
- Creamy Cheddar Mashed Potatoes: A cheesy twist on a classic, these mashed potatoes are a delightful addition.
- Roasted Vegetables: Carrots, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes roasted with a touch of olive oil and herbs create a wonderful balance.
- Scalloped Potatoes: Layers of thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy sauce.
But the goodness doesn’t end with the main meal! Leftover ham is a treasure trove of culinary possibilities. Here are a few ideas to keep the deliciousness going:
- Ham Sandwiches: Classic, simple, and always satisfying. Layer with cheese, lettuce, and extra honey mustard.
- Ham and Bean Soup: A hearty and comforting meal, especially in colder weather. The ham bone can also be used to make a flavorful broth!
- Breakfast Hash or Omelets: Dice the ham and add it to a breakfast hash with potatoes and onions, or fold it into a cheesy omelet.
- Ham and Cheese Sliders: Perfect for a casual meal or party appetizer.
- Fried Rice with Ham: A quick and delicious way to use up leftover rice and ham.
No matter how you serve it, this slow-cooked honey mustard ham is sure to become a beloved tradition in your home. It delivers on flavor, presentation, and, most importantly, ease, ensuring you can enjoy your special occasions without the usual kitchen stress. So go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones to this magnificent meal!
Slow Cooked Honey Mustard Ham
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Ingredients
- 1 7-9 lb Hormel Bone-in Spiral Cut ham
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2/3 cup stone ground mustard
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
Instructions
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Cut 2 pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil long enough to completely wrap your ham, ensuring there’s enough overlap to seal it tightly.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and stone ground mustard until well combined. This is your flavorful glaze.
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In another small bowl, combine the light brown sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of the honey mustard mixture. Mix until it forms a thick, spreadable paste. This is your brown sugar rub.
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Place the ham in the center of the prepared foil sheets. Generously rub the brown sugar paste all over the ham, pressing it into the spiral cuts. A spoon or your hands (wearing gloves) work well for this.
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Next, baste the ham with half of the honey mustard glaze mixture. Reserve the remaining half for later use after cooking.
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Lightly spray the inside of the foil (that will be touching the ham) with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Tightly wrap the ham in the foil, sealing the edges well to create a steamy packet. Carefully place the wrapped ham into a 7-quart (or larger) slow cooker.
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Cook on high for 1 hour, then reduce the setting to low and cook for another 5-6 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F (60 degrees C).
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Carefully remove the ham from the slow cooker (still in its foil). Unwrap the ham and insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part, avoiding the bone, to ensure it has reached a minimum of 140 degrees F (60 degrees C).
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Brush the remaining honey mustard glaze over every surface of the warm, cooked ham, allowing it to seep into the spiral cuts. Serve immediately and enjoy your perfectly slow-cooked ham!
Nutrition
Here are a few recipes that perfectly compliment this slow cooked honey mustard ham and make a truly great holiday dinner!