Ham is a traditional dish to serve at Easter dinner; it’s easy since most hams are pre-cooked, and many even come pre-sliced. The only thing the cook has to do is glaze it and bake it. Sometimes, especially when making several dishes for a holiday dinner, there isn’t enough room in the oven. Enter the slow cooker. Hams “baked” in the slow cooker are juicy and fabulous. There is little danger of drying out, and because most slow cookers have a warm setting, the ham can be kept waiting until you and your guests are ready. Slow cookers are also perfect for keeping food warm on the buffet table (place the buffet against the wall or tape the cord to the floor to avoid and danger of tripping). The following Sweet & Spicy Slow Cooked Ham is extra easy, can be prepared ahead, and is baked in the slow cooker. It is a little different from most, since it’s covered with a dry rub rather than a fruity glaze. The dry rub adds a sweet-spicy flavor to the ham, and the flavorful cooking juices can be served with the ham to add additional moistness.

Although this dry rub can be used on any whole or half ham, it’s especially good on a spiral-cut ham, since the flavors seem to seep into it better than with a ham that isn’t pre-sliced. Ham is one of the easiest meats to prepare, and there is little danger of messing it up – a “no-brainer” if you will, and you’ll still get plenty of raves.

24 Servings

1 8 pound (or thereabouts) spiral-cut pre-cooked ham

Dry Rub:
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
2 1/2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder

1. Place the ham, rind side up, in the crock of a 6-8 quart slow cooker.
2. Press the dry rub over the ham.
3. Cover, set the slow cooker to low, and let cook 3-5 hours or until heated through.
4. Serve with the ham juices.
5. Dry Rub: Mix all ingredients well.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 198 Calories from Fat 87
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 44% Protein 49% Carb. 8%

Nutrient Amount per
Total Fat 10 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Cholesterol 63 mg
Sodium 1591 mg
Total Carbohydrate 4 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 24 g

Vitamin A 4% Vitamin C 41% Calcium 0% Iron 9%