Are you ready to transform your ordinary ham into a mouthwatering sensation that will have your guests begging for seconds? Our Slow Cooker Ham with Honey and Bourbon is not just a recipe—it's a culinary experience that combines the rich warmth of bourbon, the sweet complexity of honey, and the succulent tenderness of perfectly cooked ham. Imagine a dish so incredibly flavorful and effortless that it feels like you've been cooking all day, when in reality, your slow cooker does all the hard work for you!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked ham (5-7 pounds)
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Remove ham from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature.
- Inspect the ham and trim any excess fat, leaving a thin layer for flavor and moisture.
- Place the fully cooked ham in a large slow cooker, positioning it with the fat side facing up to help keep the meat moist during cooking.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, bourbon, brown sugar, and ground cloves until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Carefully pour the honey-bourbon mixture over the ham, ensuring it covers the surface and sides of the meat.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set to low heat setting.
- Cook the ham for 5-6 hours, basting with the liquid every 1-2 hours to enhance flavor and prevent drying.
- Check the internal temperature of the ham using a meat thermometer; it should reach 140°F (60°C) for optimal serving temperature.
- Once done, carefully remove the ham from the slow cooker and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing.
- Optional: Reduce the remaining liquid in the slow cooker to create a glaze by setting it to high and simmering for 10-15 minutes.
- Slice the ham and drizzle with the reduced glaze before serving.
Tips
- Room Temperature Magic: Always let your ham sit out for 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even heating.
- Fat Side Up: Positioning the ham fat side up helps self-baste the meat, keeping it incredibly moist.
- Basting is Key: Regular basting (every 1-2 hours) ensures maximum flavor penetration and prevents dryness.
- Thermometer Trust: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee your ham reaches the perfect 140°F serving temperature.
- Glaze Bonus: Don't discard the cooking liquid! Reduce it to create an intensely flavored glaze that elevates your ham from good to extraordinary.
- Resting Matters: Let the ham rest 15-20 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice is perfectly juicy.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 95mg
