Crockpot Spiral Ham with Ginger Ale

Crockpot Spiral Ham with Ginger Ale is downright easy to prepare. With only three simple ingredients, this no-fuss recipe leaves you plenty of time to focus on the side dishes. This is a perfect ham to serve at holiday meals or just fix on the weekend so you can have ham sandwiches all week long.

Crockpot Spiral Ham with Ginger Ale Recipe

Ham is a staple in our family for holidays such as Easter dinner, Christmas or Thanksgiving and for birthdays, graduations and sometimes just because. As it turns out, I seem to be the ham connoisseur and the designated-ham maker. Maybe that’s because I always have several in the freezer that I’ve gotten dirt cheap at Aldi when they mark them down. Or, maybe it’s because I make a damn good ham.

Here’s my evidence…

Sometimes, I make a 3-Ingredient Crock Pot Ham with a very special ingredient.

Or other times, I go more traditional in the slow cooker using brown sugar and mustard.

And, let’s not forget my holiday cranberry ham that goes in the Instant Pot.

Slow Cooker Ham

They are all delicious; but I was searching for something new to “spice” it up.  As I was walking up and down the aisle at the grocery store, I spotted a bottle of ginger ale, and next thing I knew, I was dumping it in with my ham.

Ginger Ale has the perfect amount of spice to compliment a ham; and it also helps balance out the saltiness that a smoked ham tends to have. The spice of the ginger ale combined with the sweetness of the apricot jam is the perfect combination for baking a ham.

To be honest, I had a half a jar of apricot jam in the fridge that needed to be used up. It’s that simple. This is just the way I cook. I love using up what I already have on hand. So, if you have another type of jam or preserves in the fridge, swap it in.

It’s nice to have ham recipes without brown sugar or pineapple. Those two ingredients are in the majority of ham recipes. It’s time to branch out past them if you’ve never done it before.

Ingredient List

• Precooked Ham (spiral cut ham works great)
• Apricot Preserves
• Ginger Ale

How to Make Slow Cooker Spiral Ham with Ginger Ale

Step by Step Instructions

1. Remove ham from package; throw away seasoning packet.
2. Line crock pot insert with a slow cooker liner, if desired.
3. Arrange the ham in the crock pot insert.
4. Pour apricot preserves all over the ham and in between the slices, brushing it into all the crevices.
5. Add liquid to the insert around the ham.
6. Cover tightly with heavy duty aluminum foil (or the lid if it fits).
7. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 4-5 hours or until the ham is warmed through.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to a week. Save your ham bones in a freezer bag for ham and beans.

For the full instructions for Crock Pot Ham (without brown sugar or pineapple), scroll to the bottom of this post.

Recipe Variations

• Use any flavor jam or preserves.
• Mix in Dijon mustard or yellow mustard with the preserves for a little tang.
• Love a sweet ham? Stir in maple syrup, brown sugar or honey.
• Replace ginger ale with your favorite cola.
• Press in whole cloves into the ham.

Equipment

I love this extra large crock pot that perfectly fits my holiday ham. It also has a lid that locks in place. That means there’s no spills in the car on the way to the party.

Recipe FAQs

• This is a crock pot ham recipe without brown sugar or pineapple.
• I prefer spiral hams because they are easy with minimal cutting required; however, use a regular smoked ham if that’s what you have.
• Substitute orange marmalade for apricot jam, if desired.
• If the lid fits over the ham, use it. But if it doesn’t, do not fret. Use aluminum foil to cover very tightly. I find that heavy duty aluminum foil works best.
• To keep ham juicy, pour some of the juices over it in the pan and cover tightly with aluminum foil until time to serve.

Recipes Using Leftover Ham

Jambalaya

Mom’s Cheesy Ham and Potatoes

Ham and Cheese Quiche

Sandwich Spread

Should a spiral ham be rinsed before cooking?

I have never rinsed a spiral ham before cooking. This is an unnecessary step.

How do you keep a precooked ham moist?

I prefer using a slow cooker or crock pot for a precooked ham. Pour your favorite cola product around the ham during cooking to it moist.