How to Cook Ham in a Slow Cooker

A slow cooker is the key to cooking a delicious ham. By using simple ingredients, you are guaranteed moist meat every time that will be perfect for sandwiches or dinners.

This post was sponsored by Hamilton Beach.

My mother-in-law made the best ham in her slow cooker, and hopefully one day I will be able to replicate it.  Somehow she managed to get it so tender that it could practically be shredded with a fork.   She knew exactly how long to cook her ham.

I have tried to make it like her in the past, only to overcook it time and time again.  I am determined, though, to perfect it since I received a Set ‘n Forget® 6 Qt. Programmable Slow Cooker With Spoon/Lid.  The Set ‘n Forget®  is not your grandma’s slow cooker – it is a sleek, modern-age technological wonder.  I will tell you more about it in a moment, but first, let me share with you an easy way to cook a ham in the slow cooker.

Ham can dry out in the slow cooker.  My mother-in-law would pour a can of Mountain Dew over her ham to keep it moist.  To avoid extra additives (high fructose corn syrup, etc.),  I use 1 1/4 cups of water and 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar instead of the soda.

I cover the slow cooker, insert the temperature probe, and then program the slow cooker on LOW heat to reach a temperature of at least 145 degrees.

Once the meat hits that temperature, the Set ‘n Forget® automatically switches to the WARM setting.

While I haven’t reached the point of the ham shredding, I haven’t overcooked it either.  Since ham should be cooked until it reaches at least 145 and no more than 160 degrees, I know that I can increase the temperature setting without overcooking it.  I am going to experiment some more to find that perfect temperature – one day I will be able to cook ham like my mother-in-law.

With the temperature programmed to 145 – 150, ham comes out slice-able and delicious.  It is great paired with green beans and macaroni & cheese.

How To Cook Ham in a Slow Cooker

Ingredients

• 1 picnic ham (approximately 6-8 pounds)
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Remove packaging and netting from ham. Place in a slow cooker.
2. Pour water and apple cider vinegar over ham. Cover and cook on low 8 hours, or until thermometer reads at least 145 degrees.

Look at the features of the Set ‘n Forget®:

• Three (3) choices for easy, automatic cooking: program, probe and manual
• Probe mode is perfect for cooking large cuts of meat or for recipes that require food to reach a certain temperature
• Thermometer probe reads the actual temperature of food as it cooks; the temperature is displayed on the slow cooker control panel
• Travel-friendly design secures contents en route to parties, potlucks, family gatherings and tailgating
• The lid securely seals in place with sturdy wire clips on each handle
• 6 quart removable stoneware crock fits a 6 lb. chicken or a 4 lb. roast
• Wraparound, even heat cooks food evenly and consistently
• Full-grip handles make carrying heavy meals easier
• Power interrupt protection keeps slow cooker on during a brief power outage
• Questions are supported by a toll-free call center located in the U.S.
• Backed with a one-year warranty

The Set ‘n Forget® is an awesome slow cooker.  You can read more about it on Hamilton Beach’s website by clicking here.  There is information about the program, probe, and manual modes, a cooking guide for the probe, information about adapting recipes for the slow cooker, and information about its care and cleaning.

With the Set ‘n Forget®,  I can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with my family.  In addition to ham, we enjoy cooking roast and Seven Can Soup in our slow cooker.

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Need some tasty side dishes to go with your ham?  Carrots, macaroni and cheese, and broccoli are a few of my favorite sides to serve with ham.

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What is your favorite thing to make in a slow cooker?

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Here are some other delicious slow cooker recipes:

• Easy Seven Can Soup
• Slow Cooker Seasoned Roast