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Slow Cooker Amish Christmas Ham

This slow cooker recipe transforms a fully cooked turkey ham into a holiday masterpiece with a sticky-sweet maple-brown sugar glaze enhanced by pineapple juice and traditional spices. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it dish that fills your kitchen with festive aromas and leaves your guests impressed and satisfied.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Fully cooked boneless turkey ham 4-5 pounds; if too large for your slow cooker, trim or split in half
  • 1 cup Brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 cup Pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup Pineapple juice or apple cider for variation
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground cloves optional but traditional in Amish holiday dishes
  • 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Butter cubed
  • Pineapple rings and maraschino cherries optional, for garnish and extra bursts of sweetness

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • Medium bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Place the fully cooked boneless turkey ham (4-5 pounds) flat side down in your slow cooker. If the ham is too large, trim or slice it in half to ensure the lid closes properly.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the packed brown sugar, pure maple syrup, pineapple juice (or apple cider), Dijon mustard, ground cloves, and apple cider vinegar until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  3. Pour the glaze evenly over the ham, ensuring it seeps into any crevices or between slices (if using a spiral-cut ham). Scatter the cubed butter over the top so it will melt into the glaze as it cooks.
  4. Cover the slow cooker, set it to LOW, and let it work its magic for 4 to 6 hours. During the cooking process, you can open the lid occasionally to baste the ham with the glaze for extra flavor and moisture.
  5. Once the ham is heated through and tender, garnish with the optional pineapple rings and maraschino cherries for that classic holiday presentation before serving.

Notes

This slow cooker Amish Christmas Ham is perfect for holiday gatherings. You can substitute a traditional pork ham if you prefer, as long as it is fully cooked beforehand. The glaze can also be adapted—try using honey instead of maple syrup or adding a splash of bourbon for a boozy twist. Serve with classic sides like scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, and soft dinner rolls to complete the meal.