Slow Cooker Amish Christmas Ham

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This slow cooker Amish Christmas ham brings back memories of snowy December afternoons – the kind where the house smells amazing and everyone gathers in the kitchen. It’s a cherished family recipe that proves holiday cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be special.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

The magic happens when brown sugar meets apple cider vinegar, creating a glaze that’s perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy. Add in warm spices like cloves and cinnamon, and you’ve got something that tastes like Christmas in every bite.

Key Ingredients

The Ham

Go for a bone-in ham for the best flavor. I prefer spiral cut – it helps the glaze seep into every slice.

The Glaze

Here’s where tradition meets tasty:

• Brown sugar creates a caramelized crust
• Apple cider vinegar adds bright tang
• Warm spices bring holiday vibes
• Ground mustard cuts through the sweetness

Let’s Make It

1. Prep Your Ham First things first – position that ham flat-side down in your slow cooker. This keeps it juicy!
2. Create the Magic Mix up your glaze ingredients. The smell alone will get you in the holiday spirit.
3. Low and Slow Let your slow cooker work its magic for 6-8 hours. Your house will smell amazing.

Make It Your Own

• Add honey for extra sweetness
• Try maple syrup for depth
• Orange juice brings bright citrus notes
• Pinch of cayenne for warmth

Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 6-8 hrs | Total: 8 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 8-10

Ingredients

For the Ham:

• 1 (5-6 pound) bone-in ham, fully cooked
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon ground mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Optional Glaze Variations:

• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• Orange juice instead of vinegar
• 1 tablespoon orange zest

Instructions:

1. Prepare Ham:

• Place ham in slow cooker flat side down
• Score surface in diamond pattern if not pre-cut

1. Make Glaze:

• Combine brown sugar, vinegar, water, mustard
• Add cloves, cinnamon, and ginger
• Stir until sugar begins to dissolve

1. Cook:

• Pour glaze over ham
• Cover and cook LOW 6-8 hours
• Baste occasionally if possible
• Ham should reach 140°F

1. Finish & Serve:

• Remove ham, let rest 10 minutes
• Slice and serve with cooking juices

Notes:

• Spiral cut ham works best for glaze absorption
• Don’t lift lid too often – each peek adds 20 mins cooking time
• Leftovers keep 4-5 days refrigerated
• Freeze leftover ham up to 2 months

Perfect For:

• Christmas dinner
• Holiday gatherings
• Sunday family meals
• Make-ahead entertaining