Slow Cooker Chipotle Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham

Chipotle Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham in the slow cooker is the juiciest ham you'll ever eat and the easiest one you'll ever make.

A maple glazed ham is always an extra special treat, whether it's for Christmas or Easter dinner or potlucks when you need to feed a crowd. But so many times, baked hams end up dry, tough, and chewy. 

That's why I love making ham in the slow cooker. It's how my mom always did it and now I do, too. 

This Chipotle Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham is so juicy and it never comes out dry.

The yummy bourbon maple glaze bastes the ham while it gently warms in the slow cooker then creates the most gorgeous lacquer-like glaze to slather over the ham right before serving. 

You're Going to Love This

This is the recipe we use for our Easter ham - and really, anytime I need a super flavorful meaty ham bone.

Because one of the best parts about making a maple syrup bourbon glazed ham is the incredible flavor it adds to leftovers, like these Slow Cooker Baked Beans and this Asparagus Salad. 

Slow cooker ham - the Crock Pot keeps the ham juicy and frees up your oven for your side dishes and desserts

The chipotle maple bourbon glaze recipe flavors the ham while it cooks and makes the most luscious glaze

Delicious ham bone is a gift that keeps on giving in your split pea or potato soup recipes

So easy - this is the easiest slow cooker ham recipe, you just dump everything in, baste it once, then boil the glaze before serving

Ingredients

Bone-in ham. I make this glazed ham recipe with an approximately 8-pound bone-in precooked ham. 

Dark brown sugar. Dark brown sugar has more molasses than light brown sugar, which means more flavor. But either will work. 

Maple syrup. Use pure maple syrup here, not pancake syrup. 

Dijon mustard. Dijon mustard brings tang to balance out the sweetness in the glaze and tastes delicious with pork. 

Bourbon. Kentucky bourbon adds a rich, caramelly, vanilla flavor to the glaze. You can substitute scotch, whisky, brandy, cognac, or dark rum. If you prefer not to use booze, you can use apple juice, orange juice, or water.       

Chipotle peppers. Chipotle peppers are smoked jalapenos and they add a mellow, smoky heat to the maple glaze in this slow cooker ham recipe. Canned chipotle peppers come packed in a delicious adobo sauce, an earthy, spicy sauce made from tomato puree, vinegar, and spices. 

The amount of chipotles in this recipe isn't overwhelmingly spicy. But if you're at all worried about it, you can use just one chipotle, or just a tablespoon of the adobo sauce, or leave it out. 

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Place ham flat side down on a cutting board. Trim the "rind" from the top of the ham. The rind is the thick, leathery skin that can easily be removed. You can cut it off, or run your knife underneath it and gently pull it off with your  hands. 

You want to have a layer of at least ¼" of fat on your ham. If the fat is very thick in places, you can trim it down. Otherwise, just leave it all on. All this fatty goodness will baste the ham as it cooks. 

Step 2

With a sharp knife, score the ham into diamonds.

Do this by making diagonal cuts all the way from top to bottom of the ham. This will allow the glaze to penetrate under the fat layer and flavor the meat.

Step 3

Make the chipotle maple bourbon ham glaze recipe. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, bourbon, and chipotle peppers.

Step 4

Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray. Set the ham in the slow cooker and spread ½ of the glaze over the ham.

Step 5

Cook for 1 ½ hours on low.

Baste the ham with the juices and place remaining glaze over the ham.

Cook for another 1 ½ - 2 ½ hours or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. If you have an older slow cooker, it may take longer to cook. 

Step 6

Remove the ham from the slow cooker and set it on a cutting board to rest. Carefully pour the juices out into a small saucepan.

Heat the maple bourbon glaze over medium heat to a boil and reduce to simmer for about 20  minutes or until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze. 

Spoon the glaze over ham before serving. 

Expert Tips

• Remove the rind from the ham by cutting it off or pulling it off with your hands. 
• Keep a layer of fat on the ham to baste the meat as it cooks. 
• Scoring the fat will allow the bourbon glaze to penetrate the fat layer and flavor the meat. 
• Baste the ham halfway through cooking. I know you're "not supposed to" open a Crock Pot while cooking, but it's okay. 
• While the ham rests, boil the juices down until it creates a thick and glossy glaze to slather all over the ham. 
• These cooking times are based on my 6-quart Crock Pot, which is fairly new. If you have an older slow cooker, it may take longer for the ham to reach 145 degrees. 

FAQs

What to Serve with Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham

Complete your dinner with these 25 delicious side dishes for your main course ham!

Here's a sneak peek at what you'll find!

• Oven Roasted Green Beans with Garlic & Parmesan
• Classic Scalloped Potatoes
• Southern Baked Mac and Cheese with Breadcrumb
• Green Bean Casserole with Sour Cream
• … and more!

Click here to get all 25 recipes!

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