This Slow Cooker Apple Glazed Ham is one of those recipes that makes the whole house smell like the holidays, even if it’s just an ordinary Sunday. It’s sweet, tangy, lightly spiced with cinnamon and cloves, and so simple to throw together. Around here, I make it when I want something that feels special but doesn’t keep me stuck in the kitchen all day. James always goes for seconds, Ariya loves the sweet glaze drizzled over her mashed potatoes, and I love that the slow cooker does all the work while I prep the sides or just enjoy the day.
What Is This Recipe Exactly?
Let’s get into it! My Slow Cooker Apple Glazed Ham is a spiral-sliced ham cooked low and slow with apple pie filling, apple cider, brown sugar, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. As it cooks, the ham soaks up all the sweet, tangy flavors, and the apple glaze thickens into a sticky, spoonable sauce that’s perfect for drizzling over each slice.
It’s a classic holiday-style ham made easier because there’s no oven-watching, no rushing around the kitchen, and no complicated steps. You toss everything in the slow cooker, set it on low, and by dinner, you have a beautiful, tender ham ready to serve with almost no effort.
Why This Recipe Works
- Set it and forget it: The slow cooker keeps the ham juicy and tender while infusing it with flavor.
- Apple glaze magic: Using apple pie filling and apple cider gives natural sweetness with a fruity tang that pairs perfectly with salty ham.
- Hands-off cooking: You can prep it in 10 minutes and let it cook while you handle sides, guests, or just relax.
- Feeds a crowd: A big spiral ham stretches to feed 10–12 people easily, with leftovers for sandwiches, soups, and more.
Ingredient Breakdown: What They Do
| Ingredient | Role in the Recipe |
|---|---|
| Spiral-sliced ham | Pre-cooked and easy to portion; absorbs the glaze beautifully as it warms |
| Apple pie filling | Adds fruity sweetness and body to the glaze |
| Brown sugar | Deepens the sweetness and helps caramelize the glaze |
| Apple cider | Provides tangy, fresh apple flavor and keeps the glaze saucy |
| Worcestershire sauce | Balances sweetness with a hint of savory umami flavor |
| Ground cinnamon & cloves | Warm holiday spices that make the glaze aromatic and cozy |
When to Serve / Serving Ideas
This Slow Cooker Apple Glazed Ham is perfect for:
- Holidays: Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all feel complete with a beautiful glazed ham on the table.
- Sunday dinners: When you want something special without spending all day cooking.
- Potlucks or gatherings: The slow cooker keeps the ham warm until serving, making it easy to transport.
- Meal prep: Leftovers make amazing sandwiches, soups, and casseroles throughout the week.
Pair it with mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, mac and cheese, or fresh rolls to soak up all that apple glaze.
Make Ahead & Storage Tips
- Make ahead: Assemble everything in the slow cooker insert the night before. Cover and refrigerate, then start cooking the next day.
- Storing leftovers: Refrigerate cooked ham in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze cooled ham slices in freezer bags for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm leftovers in a covered dish with a splash of apple cider or glaze to keep them juicy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy prep with simple ingredients you can find anywhere
- Sweet, tangy, spiced glaze that clings to every slice
- Feeds a crowd with plenty of leftovers
- Works for both holidays and weeknight dinners
- Frees up oven space when cooking for big gatherings
FAQ Section
Do I need to use a spiral-sliced ham?
Spiral hams work best because the slices let the glaze drip between each layer, flavoring the entire roast. If you only have a whole ham, you can score the surface in a diamond pattern to help the glaze soak in.
Can I use fresh apples instead of apple pie filling?
Yes, but the texture will be different. If using fresh apples, sauté them first with butter, brown sugar, and a little cornstarch until they’re tender and saucy before adding to the slow cooker.
Is this ham very sweet?
It’s sweet, but the Worcestershire sauce and spices balance it so it’s not one-dimensional. For less sweetness, cut the brown sugar in half or add a splash of apple cider vinegar.
Can I make this recipe without cloves?
Absolutely. You can skip the cloves or use apple pie spice instead, which gives warmth without the strong clove flavor.
How do I keep the ham moist while reheating?
Cover it tightly with foil and add a little of the leftover glaze or some apple cider before warming in the oven at 325°F until heated through.
Can I double the recipe for a bigger ham?
Yes, as long as your slow cooker is large enough. Cooking time might increase slightly for hams over 10 pounds.
What size slow cooker works best?
A 6–7 quart slow cooker comfortably fits a 7–8 pound spiral-sliced ham.
Can I use pineapple instead of apple?
Yes — canned crushed pineapple or pineapple rings both work well with the same spices and brown sugar.
Variations & Substitutions
- Different fruits: Try pineapple, cranberries, or even cherries for the glaze.
- Maple twist: Replace half the brown sugar with pure maple syrup for a deeper flavor.
- Spicy version: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne for a sweet-and-spicy glaze.
- Honey apple ham: Swap brown sugar for honey and add Dijon mustard for a tangy twist.
How to Make Apple Glazed Ham in the Oven
If you don’t want to use the slow cooker or need your ham ready a little faster, the oven method works perfectly:
- Prep the ham: Place your spiral-sliced ham in a large roasting pan or deep baking dish, flat side down.
- Add the glaze ingredients: Spoon the apple pie filling over the top, sprinkle on the brown sugar, drizzle the apple cider and Worcestershire sauce, and finish with the cinnamon and cloves.
- Cover tightly: Use heavy-duty foil to seal in all the steam so the ham stays juicy while baking.
- Bake low and slow: Cook at 325°F for about 15 minutes per pound or until the ham reaches 140°F in the center.
- Baste frequently: About every 30 minutes, spoon some of the apple glaze from the bottom of the pan over the top of the ham.
- Optional caramelized finish: For a glossy, sticky glaze, remove the foil during the last 15 minutes or broil on HIGH for 2–3 minutes. Watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
The oven method takes a bit more babysitting than the slow cooker, but it delivers the same sweet-savory flavor and tender slices with that picture-perfect glaze on top.
Leftover Ideas
- Ham sandwiches: Layer on crusty bread with Swiss cheese and Dijon mustard.
- Ham and bean soup: Use the bone and leftover ham for a hearty slow cooker soup.
- Ham fried rice: Quick weeknight dinner with rice, veggies, and scrambled eggs.
- Breakfast casserole: Add diced ham to an egg-and-cheese bake for easy mornings.
Budget Breakdown (Approximate, U.S. Prices)
| Ingredient | Cost |
|---|---|
| Spiral-sliced ham (8 lbs) | $24.00 |
| Apple pie filling (2 cans) | $5.00 |
| Brown sugar & spices | $1.50 |
| Apple cider | $2.50 |
| Worcestershire sauce | $1.00 |
Total: about $34 for 12 servings → $2.80 per serving
Lighten-Up Version / Lower Calorie
- Use a leaner ham or trim excess fat before cooking.
- Reduce brown sugar by half or swap with a sugar substitute like monk fruit.
- Use unsweetened applesauce instead of apple pie filling for less sugar.
- Skip the butter or use a light version if desired.
Reader Favorite Tips and Ideas
- Baste the ham every hour for maximum flavor.
- Broil the ham for 2–3 minutes after cooking to caramelize the glaze.
- Save leftover glaze to drizzle over mashed potatoes or vegetables.
Why Apple with Ham Isn’t as Weird as It Sounds
If you’ve never paired apple with ham, you might wonder if the flavors actually work. The truth is, fruit glazes and salty ham are a classic combination that’s been around for decades — think pineapple-glazed ham or honey-mustard ham. Apples bring natural sweetness and a mild tang that balance the saltiness of the ham beautifully.
The warm spices like cinnamon and cloves, plus the brown sugar and apple cider, transform the fruit into a rich, sticky glaze that feels cozy and holiday-ready. It’s not overpowering or overly sweet — just the right blend of salty, savory, and slightly fruity that keeps every bite interesting.
Troubleshooting Tips
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Glaze too thin | Extra liquid from ham or cider | Simmer uncovered on HIGH for 15 min |
| Too sweet | Too much sugar or filling | Add more Worcestershire or apple cider |
| Ham dry | Overcooked | Cook on LOW, check at 4 hours |
| Flavor too mild | Not enough seasoning | Add extra cinnamon, cloves, or Dijon |
Nutrition Information (Approx. Per Serving)
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 27g
- Carbs: 16g
- Fat: 14g
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 1220mg
What else I have that you can make for Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner
This recipe is a staple on my Thanksgiving table, but it’s never alone. Every year, I pull together a full spread of family favorites that keep everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds). Here are some of the other dishes I make right alongside this one!
- Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe – The star of the table with tender meat and perfectly crispy skin.
- Coca-Cola Ham – Sweet, sticky, and full of flavor from the classic soda glaze.
- Dr. Pepper Ham – A fun twist with bold, slightly spicy flavor notes.
- Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls – Soft, fluffy rolls that soak up all that leftover gravy and sauce.
- Crock-Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham – A hands-off slow cooker recipe that frees up oven space while delivering big flavor.
- Classic Pumpkin Roll – The perfect Thanksgiving dessert with spiced pumpkin cake and creamy filling.
All together, these recipes make one unforgettable holiday feast where every dish complements the others perfectly.
My Personal Kitchen Notes
I tested this ham with both apple pie filling and unsweetened applesauce. The pie filling gave a richer, thicker glaze that coated the ham beautifully, while the applesauce version was lighter but still flavorful. I also found that broiling the ham for a couple of minutes after slow cooking made the glaze sticky and caramelized — highly recommend if you have time.
My Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Apple Glazed Ham is the easiest way to serve a holiday-worthy main dish without crowding your oven or spending all day cooking. It’s sweet, tangy, and perfectly spiced with flavors that taste like fall and winter in every bite. Whether for a holiday meal, Sunday dinner, or meal prep for the week, it’s a recipe you’ll make again and again.
Ham Recipes
Slow Cooker Apple Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 1 7–8 lb spiral-sliced ham, fully cooked
- 2 21 oz cans apple pie filling
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire
- ½ cup apple cider
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Place the ham in a large slow cooker, flat side down.
- Sprinkle the ingredients over the top of the ham evenly and pour the apple pie filling over the ham, making sure some glaze drips between the slices.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours, or until the ham is heated through and the glaze is bubbling.
- Baste the ham occasionally with the glaze during cooking.
- Once finished, remove the ham carefully to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes. Slice and serve with extra cherry glaze from the slow cooker.
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