How to make slow cooker orange balsamic glazed ham (video)

John Jasins

Contributing Writer

Note: In video, we used 2 smaller cuts of bone-in ham, but the larger single 5-pound ham cut is preferred.

This slow-cooked orange balsamic glazed ham is the perfect entree for the holiday season, Easter Sunday or any family gathering. This is an incredible recipe that anyone can do. A quick sweet-and-sour glaze and a few hours of slow cooking produces this mouthwatering meal. This is what slow cookers are made for. Serve this up with some roasted veggies and your favorite potatoes for a complete meal.

For the glaze, you'll need a small mixing bowl to combine the ingredients. It's the perfect balance of flavors to complement the ham. Honey and brown sugar bring a sticky sweetness, while the orange juice and balsamic vinegar add just the right amount of tanginess. After few minutes of prep and six hours in the slow cooker, these flavors will be jumping off your plate!

Cooktop Cove

slow cooker orange balsamic glazed ham

5 minutes

6 hours

6 hours, 5 minutes

5-pound bone-in ham or 2 bone in shanks

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup honey

1 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice

Zest of 1 orange

½ cup balsamic vinegar

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons soy sauce

Place ham in a 6-quart slow cooker.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together everything from brown sugar to soy sauce. Pour on top of ham.

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.

Pro tip: For a spicy kick, add 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce.

Note: All slow cookers are a little bit different in temperature and calibration. This recipe was tested in Cooktop Cove's Test Kitchen using this slow cooker, which is available for purchase here.

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