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    Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker Recipes » Slow Cooker Chipotle Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham

    Published: Apr 10, 2022 by Cara Lanz · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Slow Cooker Chipotle Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham

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    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.

    Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham in a red Crock Pot

    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. 

    ham on a wooden cutting board with a knife cutting through the rind

    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.

    ham on a cutting board with the rind cut off
    ham on a wooden cutting board with the fat layer scored into diamonds

    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.

    Maple Bourbon Glaze recipe ingredients in a clear bowl

    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.

    Ham in Crock Pot with maple bourbon glaze poured over it

    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. 

    Finished Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham in a Red Crock Pot

    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

    Can you heat a fully cooked ham in the slow cooker?

    Yes, absolutely! A slow cooker is my favorite way to cook ham because it’s so nice and juicy. Just keep the heat low and slow and warm it to 145 degrees.

    Will a ham dry out in a Crock Pot?

    Ham can dry out regardless of the cooking method you use, but I've never encountered that cooking it in a Crock Pot.

    To ensure a moist and juicy ham in the slow cooker, cook it on low.

    Is bone-in ham precooked?

    Most ham that is cured, smoked, or baked is cooked. If you’re not sure if the ham you’re buying is precooked or not, check the label.

    Finished Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham on a wooden cutting board

    What to Serve with Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham

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

    collage with salad, carrots, buns, and potatoes

    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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    Slow Cooker Chipotle Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham

    Cara Lanz
    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. The maple bourbon brown sugar mixture creates a flavorful cooking liquid in the slow cooker, then gets boiled down to a gorgeous lacquer-like glaze with a touch of spicy sweetness.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 4 hrs
    Total Time 4 hrs 10 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16
    Calories 599 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 lb bone-in ham
    • ½ cup dark brown sugar
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
    • 2 tablespoons bourbon
    • 2 chipotle peppers, chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Place the 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 it is very thick in places, you can trim it down. Otherwise, just leave it. All this fatty goodness will baste the ham as it cooks.
    • 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.
    • Make the chipotle maple bourbon glaze. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, bourbon, and chipotle peppers.
    • Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray. Set the ham in the slow cooker and spread ½ of the glaze over the ham.
    • Cook for 1 ½ hours on low, then 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.
    • Remove the ham and set it on a cutting board.
      Carefully pour the juices out of the slow cooker and into a small saucepan. Heat 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 the ham before serving.

    Notes

    • 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. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 599kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 49gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 141mgSodium: 2763mgPotassium: 677mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 97IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg
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    Comments

    1. Lisa Barba says

      January 14, 2022 at 8:00 pm

      Hello, This sounds delicious. Do you use a pre-cooked ham for this recipe.

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        January 14, 2022 at 8:40 pm

        Hi, Lisa, Thank you, it is really quite delicious :). And yes, I use pre-cooked ham.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Cara!

    I love dreaming up easier, and sometimes healthier twists on dishes from the heartland.

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