Slow Cooker Ham (Gammon Joint)

Easy Slow Cooker Ham

As a busy mom of six, this is one of my favorite dinners for our busiest family days. I often make it on Wednesdays when we have sports practices and after-school activities, because it cooks with very little attention.

This slow cooker ham needs just two ingredients: a 3 lb (1.36 kg) ham (gammon joint) and 1 cup (240 ml) of vegetable broth. I cook it on LOW for 5 hours, then let it rest for 20 minutes before slicing. The result is tender, easy to carve, and can be served warm for dinner or cold later.

The vegetable broth goes around the ham rather than directly over the meat. A slow cooker trivet also keeps the ham raised from the bottom of the pot while it cooks.
Once the cooking time is finished, I carefully lift the ham out and loosely cover it with aluminum foil. After resting, I remove any excess fat and slice the ham as thickly or thinly as needed.
I also like that this recipe can be served warm or cold. For a busy family day, having such a straightforward way to prepare ham makes dinner much easier to manage.

Why the Trivet and Resting Time Matter

A few simple details make a noticeable difference with this recipe. Before the ham goes into the slow cooker, remove all of the packaging and check for any extra plastic or paper casing around the meat.

I like to sit the ham on a slow cooker trivet so it stays raised from the bottom of the pot. Pour the 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable broth around the ham rather than over the top, then cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours.

Once it is cooked, lift the ham out carefully and loosely cover it with aluminum foil. I always give it a full 20 minutes to rest before slicing, as I find this makes it much easier to carve neatly.

After resting, transfer the ham to a cutting board, trim away any excess fat, and slice it to your preferred thickness. It can be served warm straight away or left to cool and served cold later.

Cook the ham on LOW for the full 5 hours. Once the cooking time is complete, carefully lift it from the slow cooker. Loosely cover it with aluminum foil and leave it to rest for 20 minutes.
That resting period is particularly helpful when it is time to cut the ham. According to my testing, the 20-minute rest makes the meat easier to slice.
After resting, transfer the ham to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to remove any excess fat. You can then cut it into thick or thin slices, depending on your preference, and serve it warm or cold.

Simple Slow Cooker Ham Variations

Honey and Mustard Ham

Brush the cooked ham with honey and mustard before serving for a simple sweet and savory finish. It is an easy way to add extra flavor without changing the slow cooker method.

Maple-Glazed Ham

Brush the cooked ham with maple syrup before serving for a sweeter variation. This keeps the basic slow cooker method the same while giving the finished ham a different flavor.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Ham

Before cooking, remove all packaging from the ham, including any additional plastic or paper casing. Keep the ham raised on the slow cooker trivet and pour the vegetable broth around the meat rather than directly over it.

Cook on LOW for the full 5 hours, then let the ham rest loosely covered with aluminum foil for 20 minutes. I find that this resting time makes it noticeably easier to slice cleanly.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Ham

Slow cooker ham works especially well with classic roast-style sides such as crispy roasted potatoes, green vegetables, and stuffing. Serve the ham in thicker slices for a warm family dinner, or slice it more thinly once cooled if you prefer to serve it cold.

Its simple flavor also makes it easy to pair with your favorite potato and vegetable side dishes, depending on what you are serving with the rest of the meal.