Easy Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Ham – Even Make it in the Crock Pot
This Easy Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Ham is perfect for anytime, but especially for all of the upcoming holidays. It can even be made in the Crock Pot to free up your oven space. Donโt worry about the bourbon โ the alcohol cooks out, so you just enjoy the flavor. The Apple Cider adds another layer of fall flavor. See my hints below for more ideas.
Have you ever made ham in a Crock Pot? I do have a traditional type of ham recipe also on the blog HERE.
Make sure you check out the links below for more Thanksgiving ideas from my friends.
Easy Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Ham
This glaze recipe was used on a 8 lb. ham in the Crock Pot. If you are making a larger one in the oven, I would double the recipe.
Itโs easy to find all types of hams. Using a fully cooked, you basically just have to get it warmed to serve. You could even use a spiral-sliced ham for easier serving. Bone-in or boneless is a personal choice as well.
Some hams come with a glaze packet so you can discard it.
This is a two for one recipe post โ how to make the ham in a traditional oven and also in the Crock Pot.
How to Make the Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Ham in the Oven
Ingredients:
- Approximately 8 lb. ham
- ยฝ Cup Apple Cider or Apple Juice
Instructions:
- Place the ham in a roasting pan, flat side down
- If itโs not a spiral sliced, I will score the ham on top
- Pour apple cider slowly over the ham
- Cover the ham with aluminum foil
- Cook at 300 degrees for 1 ยฝ hours**
- After 1 ยฝ hours, remove the ham from oven
- Brush the glaze over ham
- Return to the oven, uncovered
- Bake for additional 30 minutes
- Remove from oven
- Turn the temperature up to 400 degrees
- Pack about 1/2 cup brown sugar on top
- Drizzle a little glaze/juices from the pan, donโt oversaturate the brown sugar
- Return to oven for 15 โ 20 minutes to get a good caramelization on top
- Remove from oven
- Let it rest for about 15 minutes before serving
- While the ham is baking during the first hour, make the glaze
**Note โ this is for a fully cooked ham. You can check the directions on your ham for cooking times
The internal temperature should reach 145 degrees
Brown Sugar, Bourbon and Apple Cider Glaze Recipe
Glaze Ingredients
- 2 ยฝ Cups brown sugar
- 1/3 Cup bourbon or whiskey
- ยผ Cup apple cider or apple juice
Glaze Directions
- Place the glaze ingredients in a small saucepan
- Heat until the sugar is dissolved
- Do not boil
- Set aside and cool
How to Make the Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Ham in the Crock Pot
Make the Glaze โ see recipe above
Directions:
- Place the ham in the Crock Pot, flat side down
- If itโs not a spiral sliced, I will score the ham
- Use about 1/2 of the glaze and brush onto ham
- Add lid to Crockpot
- If not a tight fit, cover tightly with aluminum foil
- Cook on low for 1 ยฝ โ 2 hours
- After this time, baste the remaining glaze
- Cover and cook another 1 ยฝ hours
- Check the internal temperature, it should be at least 145 degrees
- If not at this temperature, cook another ยฝ hour
These next steps are optional, but I love a crispy top
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- After baking is complete, place the ham to an aluminum foil lined baking sheet
- Pack about 1/2 cup brown sugar on top
- Drizzle a little glaze/juices from the pan, donโt oversaturate the brown sugar
- Place in oven for 15 โ 20 minutes to get a good caramelization on top
- Remove from oven
- Let it rest for about 15 minutes before serving
Hints and Tips:
If you donโt want to add the bourbon, just leave it out and double the apple cider or juice.
Use the leftover bone in a pot of soup or beans
To keep the ham warm on the platter, loosely tent aluminum foil over it
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator
Other ways to use the glaze:
- With bacon wrapped Lil Smokies
- As a marinade or glaze on any pork dish such as a tenderloin or chops
THANKSGIVING BLOG HOP
Need more ideas for Thanksgiving
Iโve included affiliate links to Amazon for you to find some products easier. I may receive a small commission, but the price is the same for you. It just helps my blog out.
Happy Travels,
Rosemary
Well that looks delicious! We often talk about swapping out turkey for a different meal on Thanksgiving. This might be the one!
Sometimes I only cook for the 3 of us, so usually just a small turkey because I have to have my dressing. So easy in the Crock Pot and saves your oven.
Agree with Kim. This is a great option for Thanksgiving! Love the glaze
We do love ham. For meals, but also making small sandwiches on Hawaiin rolls, freeze to grab for breakfast.
This ham looks and sounds amazing. You had me at brown sugar!
I love brown sugar, especially for toppings to caramelize on top of meats. Hope you try.
Thanks for sharing this recipe Rosemary! We much prefer ham over turkey!
Turkey isn’t a favorite, but do want it with my dressing and a good gravy. Hope you try it.
Yum! This looks really good! I also make a ham in a crock pot to free up space in my oven to make more sides!
I have several crock pots. I sometimes even start my dressing in the crock pot then transfer to the oven.
Hi Rosemary! Your ham glaze sounds so yummy! Thanks for showing us how to make this recipe in two different ways! The turkey will be in the oven and I could also do ham in the crockpot!
A small ham is great in the Crock Pot. Think ahead for a turkey breast in the Crock Pot too. A recipe also on the blog.
I love ham! Thanks for adding the crockpot recipe. I’m going to try it.
Most hams just need to be heated so the Crock Pot is perfect.
Every year I go looking for a recipe – I never save it for some reason. I’ve pinned yours so I will never have to go looking again. Thank you so much.
Hope you remember this one. I think it’s really good.
This looks so delicious! We have ham and turkey, I love the idea of using bourbon in the glaze.
The bourbon just adds a bit more flavor. And I love the glaze after I finish it in the oven as a dipping sauce.
Rosemary this looks absolutely mouth-wateringly delicious! Your instructions are so good too that someone like me who is really a bad cook could do this! You gave me hope! Thank you
Thanks. I try to make most of my recipes fairly simple for everyone. Plus I love simple recipes to have a variety. Let me know if you try it.
We haven’t had ham in awhile. This recipe sound absolutely delicious! Enjoying hopping with you.
It was really good. I know your family would love it.
Wow! Your ham and glaze recipe sounds absolutely delicious, Rosemary! I’ve never thought about making one in the crockpot, but will definitely have to give it a whirl!
I don’t do a ham often, but when I do, I do a small one in the Crock Pot. I even will do a turkey breast in one. I hope you try it.