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Slow Cooker Apricot Dijon Holiday Ham with Cloves

Slow cooker apricot Dijon ham is glazed with apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and cider vinegar for a sweet-tangy finish. Cook it low and slow until it reaches 140°F, then serve sliced with warm reserved glaze.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours 8 minutes
resting 10 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 33 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the ham
  • 1 boneless ham 4- to 5-pound, fully cooked, thawed
  • 18 cloves whole cloves
  • 0.5 cup apple cider
For the apricot-Dijon glaze
  • 1 cup apricot preserves
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Equipment

  • 1 6-quart slow cooker

Method
 

Prepare the ham
  1. Remove the ham from its packaging.
  2. Score the top in a shallow diamond pattern.
  3. Press the cloves into the cuts.
  4. Place the ham flat-side down in a 6-quart slow cooker.
  5. Pour the apple cider around the ham.
Make the glaze
  1. Combine the apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan.
  2. Cook over medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring, until smooth and pourable.
  3. Spoon half of the glaze over the ham and spread it across the top.
  4. Cover and refrigerate the remaining glaze until serving.
Slow-cook and serve
  1. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the center of the ham reaches 140°F on an instant-read thermometer.
  2. Transfer the ham to a cutting board.
  3. Rest for 10 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, warm the reserved glaze in a small saucepan over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring until pourable.
  5. Remove the cloves.
  6. Slice the ham and serve with the glaze.

Notes

For clean slices, let the ham rest for the full 10 minutes before cutting. Refrigerate leftovers for 3-4 days; freeze for up to 2 months.