The Ultimate Ham Steaks in Crock Pot Recipe for Beginners

Key Takeaways:

• Perfect weeknight dinner with just 10 minutes of prep
• Foolproof method for juicy, flavorful ham steaks every time
• Complete meal that feeds 4 people with minimal effort
• Leftovers taste amazing and can be repurposed for other meals

Why Ham Steaks in Crock Pot Will Save Your Dinner Routine

Need a simple dinner solution that delivers big on flavor? Ham Steaks in Crock Pot is about to become your new go-to recipe.

This beginner-friendly method takes the guesswork out of cooking. Your slow cooker transforms ordinary ham steaks into a mouthwatering meal while you go about your day.

The beauty of cooking ham steaks in Crock Pot is the hands-off approach. The slow, gentle heat creates tender meat that absorbs a sweet-savory glaze to perfection.

Even if you’re new to cooking, you’ll nail this recipe on your first try.

Nutrition Information for Ham Steaks in Crock Pot

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	320
Protein	28g
Carbohydrates	18g
Fat	16g
Fiber	0g
Sugar	16g
Sodium	1200mg

Serving size: 1 ham steak with sauce (serves 4)

What You’ll Need for Perfect Ham Steaks in Crock Pot

Ingredients List

Ingredient	Amount	Notes for Beginners
Ham steaks (about 1/2 inch thick)	4 (approximately 2 pounds total)	Look for pre-packaged ham steaks in the meat section
Brown sugar	1/2 cup	Light or dark both work well
Maple syrup	1/4 cup	Real maple syrup is best, but pancake syrup works too
Pineapple juice	1/2 cup	Small cans available in juice aisle
Dijon mustard	2 tablespoons	Yellow mustard can substitute if needed
Garlic powder	1 teaspoon	Not garlic salt (which contains sodium)
Onion powder	1 teaspoon	Not onion salt
Black pepper	1/2 teaspoon	Freshly ground if possible
Cornstarch (optional)	1 tablespoon	For thickening sauce if desired
Water (optional)	2 tablespoons	For mixing with cornstarch

Kitchen Equipment Needed

Tool	Purpose	Beginner Tips
Slow cooker (4-6 quart)	Main cooking vessel	Any brand works; oval shape fits ham steaks better
Measuring cups	For liquid ingredients	Clear cups help with accuracy
Measuring spoons	For smaller amounts	Level each spoonful for accuracy
Whisk	For mixing glaze	A fork can work in a pinch
Tongs	For handling ham steaks	Helps prevent tearing the meat
Small bowl	For cornstarch slurry (optional)	Any small bowl works
Can opener	For pineapple juice (if using canned)	Electric or manual both fine

Beginner-Friendly Substitutions

• Maple syrup: Don’t have it? Use honey (same amount) or pancake syrup
• Pineapple juice: Orange juice or apple juice work just as well
• Brown sugar: White sugar with a teaspoon of molasses, or coconut sugar
• Dijon mustard: Yellow mustard (use 1.5 tablespoons) or honey mustard (use 2.5 tablespoons)

Extremely Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions for Ham Steaks in Crock Pot

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours (Low) or 2 hours (High)
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Preparation Phase (Before Cooking)

1. Gather your ingredients. Place everything on your counter so you don’t have to search for items while cooking. This is called “mise en place” (everything in its place).
   • Take ham steaks out of refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking to take the chill off
   • Check expiration dates on all ingredients
   • Open any cans or containers you’ll need
2. Measure all ingredients precisely:
   • Use measuring cups for the brown sugar (pack it down lightly into the cup)
   • Use a liquid measuring cup for the maple syrup and pineapple juice
   • Use measuring spoons for the mustard and spices
   • Place each measured ingredient in separate small bowls or cups if possible
3. Prepare your slow cooker:
   • Ensure your slow cooker is clean and dry
   • Place it on a heat-safe surface with access to a power outlet
   • If using a slow cooker liner, insert it now (this makes cleanup much easier)
   • If not using a liner, lightly spray the inside with cooking spray
4. Make the glaze for your Ham Steaks in Crock Pot:
   • In a medium bowl, add ½ cup brown sugar
   • Pour in ¼ cup maple syrup
   • Add ½ cup pineapple juice
   • Add 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
   • Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon garlic powder
   • Add 1 teaspoon onion powder
   • Finish with ½ teaspoon black pepper
5. Mix the glaze thoroughly:
   • Use a whisk and stir in a circular motion
   • Continue whisking for about 1 minute until sugar is mostly dissolved
   • Make sure no dry sugar remains at the bottom of the bowl
   • The mixture should look smooth and somewhat thick
   • Set aside while you prepare the ham steaks

Assembly Phase (Loading the Slow Cooker)

6. Prepare the ham steaks:
   • Unwrap the ham steaks from their packaging
   • Check each steak for any hard edges or excess fat you may want to trim (optional)
   • Pat them dry with paper towels if they’re very wet
7. Start layering in the slow cooker:
   • Take one ham steak and place it flat in the bottom of your slow cooker
   • If it’s too large to fit flat, you can:
     • Cut it in half with kitchen scissors or a knife
     • Fold it slightly to fit the shape of your slow cooker
     • Trim it to fit (save trimmings for another use)
8. Add remaining ham steaks:
   • Place the second ham steak on top of the first, overlapping slightly
   • Continue with remaining ham steaks, creating layers
   • Don’t worry if they’re not perfectly flat – some overlap is fine
9. Pour the glaze over your Ham Steaks in Crock Pot:
   • Stir the glaze once more to make sure it’s well mixed
   • Slowly pour the glaze over all the ham steaks, trying to cover as much surface area as possible
   • Use a spoon to drizzle some glaze in between layers if possible
10. Ensure even coverage:
    • Use tongs to gently lift edges of ham steaks
    • Tilt the slow cooker slightly to help distribute the glaze
    • Make sure every ham steak has contact with the glaze
    • Spoon any pooled glaze from the bottom over the top of the stack

Cooking Phase (Slow Cooker Settings)

11. Set up for cooking:
    • Place the lid securely on your slow cooker
    • Make sure the lid fits properly with no gaps
    • Plug in your slow cooker if you haven’t already
12. Choose your cooking time:
    • For beginners, the LOW setting is more forgiving and recommended:
      • Press the LOW button and set timer for 4 hours
    • If you’re short on time, you can use the HIGH setting:
      • Press the HIGH button and set timer for 2 hours
    • Note: Ham is already fully cooked, so you’re just heating it through and infusing flavor
13. Midway check (optional but recommended for beginners):
    • At the halfway point (2 hours for LOW, 1 hour for HIGH), carefully remove lid
    • Use tongs to gently rearrange ham steaks if desired
    • Spoon glaze from the bottom over the top
    • Replace lid quickly to maintain heat
    • Wash tongs immediately to prevent cross-contamination
14. Optional thickening step (for a more syrupy sauce):
    • About 30 minutes before cooking time ends:
      • In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water
      • Stir with a fork until completely smooth with no lumps
      • Remove slow cooker lid briefly
      • Pour cornstarch mixture slowly into the liquid while stirring gently
      • Replace lid and continue cooking for remaining time

Finishing and Serving Your Ham Steaks in Crock Pot

15. Check for doneness:
    • Ham should be heated throughout (at least 140°F if checking with thermometer)
    • Sauce should be bubbling slightly around edges
    • Ham will look glossy and have absorbed some of the glaze color
16. Rest before serving:
    • Turn slow cooker to WARM setting or OFF
    • Let ham steaks rest in the warm sauce for 5-10 minutes
    • This allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat
17. Serving method:
    • Use clean tongs to carefully remove each ham steak
    • Place on plates or a serving platter
    • Spoon extra glaze from the slow cooker over each serving
    • For a complete meal, add a side of:
      • Mashed potatoes
      • Rice
      • Steamed vegetables
      • Dinner rolls
18. Garnish options (optional):
    • Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley
    • Add a pineapple ring on top of each ham steak
    • Drizzle with additional maple syrup for extra sweetness

Troubleshooting Guide for Ham Steaks in Crock Pot

Problem	Cause	Beginner-Friendly Solution
Ham steaks too salty	Some ham products have high sodium	Soak ham steaks in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking, then pat dry
Sauce too thin	Not enough reduction	Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water and stir into hot liquid
Ham steaks too dry	Overcooked or too thin cuts	Reduce cooking time by 30 minutes; make sure steaks are at least ½ inch thick
Glaze burns around edges	Too high heat or too little liquid	Always cook on LOW setting and make sure ham steaks are mostly submerged
Not enough sauce	Absorption or evaporation	Double the sauce ingredients if you prefer extra for serving
Sauce too sweet	Individual taste preference	Add 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to balance sweetness

Delicious Variations for Your Ham Steaks in Crock Pot

Tropical Ham Steaks in Crock Pot

Add 1 can (20 oz) of pineapple chunks with juice and reduce the pineapple juice in the recipe to ¼ cup. The chunks become wonderfully soft and complement the ham perfectly. For more creative ways to use ham, check out these innovative ham recipes.

Spicy-Sweet Ham Steaks in Crock Pot

For a kick of heat balanced with sweetness:

1. Add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper to the glaze mixture
2. Include ¼ cup bourbon if desired (alcohol cooks off)
3. Add 1 tablespoon of hot honey

Apple Cider Ham Steaks in Crock Pot

Perfect for fall:

1. Replace pineapple juice with apple cider
2. Add 1 thinly sliced apple to the slow cooker
3. Include ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon in the glaze

Honey-Mustard Ham Steaks in Crock Pot

For mustard lovers:

1. Replace maple syrup with ¼ cup honey
2. Increase Dijon mustard to 3-4 tablespoons
3. Add 1 teaspoon dried thyme

This variation pairs wonderfully with this ham and corn chowder recipe for a complete meal experience.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

1. Allow ham steaks to cool completely (no longer than 2 hours at room temperature)
2. Transfer ham steaks and sauce to an airtight container
3. Make sure ham is covered with sauce to prevent drying
4. Store in refrigerator for up to 4 days

Freezer Storage

1. Place cooled ham steaks in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags
2. Pour sauce over ham steaks to keep them moist
3. Remove as much air as possible before sealing
4. Label with date and contents
5. Freeze for up to 3 months

Beginner-Friendly Reheating Methods

Microwave Method (Fastest):

1. Place a single ham steak with some sauce in a microwave-safe dish
2. Cover with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture
3. Heat on 70% power for 1-2 minutes
4. Check temperature and continue heating in 30-second intervals if needed
5. Let stand for 1 minute before serving

Stovetop Method (Best for maintaining texture):

1. Place ham steak and sauce in a skillet
2. Set heat to medium-low
3. Cover with a lid
4. Heat for 5-7 minutes, turning once halfway through
5. Ham is ready when heated to 140°F

Oven Method (Best for multiple servings):

1. Preheat oven to 325°F
2. Place ham steaks and sauce in a baking dish
3. Cover tightly with foil
4. Warm for 15 minutes or until heated through
5. Remove foil for last 5 minutes if you want slight caramelization

Safety Notes & Expert Tips for Ham Steaks in Crock Pot

Food Safety

• Temperature matters: Ham should reach at least 140°F when reheating for safety.
• Danger zone: Don’t leave cooked ham at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
• Clean tools: Always use clean utensils when checking or serving from the slow cooker.
• Storage timeline: Consume refrigerated leftovers within 4 days.
• Freezer rules: Use frozen ham within 3 months for best quality.

Beginner Tips for Success

• Thickness counts: For juiciest results, choose ham steaks that are at least ½ inch thick.
• Low and slow: When in doubt, use the LOW setting – it’s more forgiving.
• Layering matters: Don’t crowd all ham steaks at the bottom; layer them for best results.
• Slow cooker size: A 4-6 quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe serving 4 people.
• Lid discipline: Resist the urge to keep lifting the lid, as this extends cooking time.

Serving Suggestions

• Perfect pairings: Ham Steaks in Crock Pot go wonderfully with:
  • Mashed potatoes to absorb the delicious sauce
  • Steamed green beans or asparagus
  • Dinner rolls or biscuits
  • Simple green salad with light vinaigrette

For another fantastic slow-cooked pork recipe, check out this ham hock in pressure cooker recipe that uses similar flavor principles but a different cooking method.

Final Thoughts on Ham Steaks in Crock Pot

This Ham Steaks in Crock Pot recipe proves that incredible meals don’t require culinary school. With minimal ingredients and effort, you’ll create a dinner that tastes like it took hours of active cooking.

The combination of sweet glaze and savory ham creates a flavor profile that appeals to everyone at the table. Best of all, your slow cooker handles the work while you focus on other things.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or just looking for an easy weeknight solution, this recipe deserves a spot in your regular rotation. The minimal prep time, foolproof cooking method, and delicious results make Ham Steaks in Crock Pot the perfect answer to “What’s for dinner?”

Try it once, and you’ll wonder why you ever made ham any other way!