A super easy, 3-ingredient holiday ham. The Sriracha gives it a spicy twist but you can leave it out if you want. Use the slow cooker this Easter so that you can free up oven space for other stuff! Like pie. And rolls. Priorities, people. Originally published February 27, 2025.
Table of Contents
- Easy slow cooker ham with Sriracha glaze
- Slow cooker ham ingredients
- How to select the perfect ham for this 3-ingredient recipe
- How much ham per person
- How to slow-cook ham with Sriracha glaze in a crock pot
- Delicious ways to use up leftover ham
- How to store leftover ham with Sriracha glaze
- How to reheat slow cooked ham
- Easy crockpot ham with Sriracha glaze FAQs
- More Easter recipes to try!
- Easy Sriracha Ham (Slow Cooker) Recipe
Eric and I watched the finale of Parks and Rec tonight, in which Joe Biden had a cameo appearance.
I was like, “Eric, who’s that guy.”
And he was like, “Joe Biden.”
“THAT’S the Vice President??”
Aaaand that’s a wrap folks. This is it. I am officially the most unaware person on the FACE OF THE PLANET.
I looked at Joe closely, and finally, when I imagined a little hovering Obama-ghost next to his head, I could see it. Oh yeah, the vice president, that guy.
Eric and I went over to our friend’s house to watch the Oscars a few days ago. We had dinner, and then everyone sat and watched that guy from How I Met Your Mother (you SERIOUSLY expect me to know his name?) make fun of all the people dozing off.
Meanwhile, I’m in the kitchen doing dishes. If I had watched with them, I wouldn’t be able to keep up, and everyone would hate me:
“What movie is this?”
“Any movie ever”
“Never heard of it, what’s it about?”
Well, whatever. Knope for president.
Easy slow cooker ham with Sriracha glaze
I may not be great at recognizing public figures, but don’t let that dampen your faith in my crock pot skills. I’m SO good at throwing 3 ingredients into a crock pot and then doing nothing. This recipe is just ham + Sriracha + brown sugar. Thaaaaat’s it. You could pare it down even more and just do the brown sugar, but I like to add a little spicy kick to my ham. (Makes for awesome Split Pea Soup.)
Slow cooker ham ingredients
I love this recipe for the holidays because you free up your oven for other important things, like pie, and these Gruyere-Crisped Potatoes Au Gratin (<< so good, guys.) I also love this recipe because it only needs a few ingredients–most of which I always have on hand.
Here’s a quick shopping list to help you gather your ingredients. See the recipe card below for the full ingredients and instructions!
- brown sugar
- smoked ham (bone-in picnic)
- Sriracha
- cornstarch
How to select the perfect ham for this 3-ingredient recipe
If you’re wondering what kind of ham to use, I recommend a smoked, bone-in picnic ham. It’s juicy, flavorful, and perfect for slow cooking. But hey, you’ve got options!
If you can’t find a picnic ham or just want to switch things up, here are a few other hams that will work just as well:
- Spiral-Cut Ham: Already sliced and ready to soak up all that sweet and spicy goodness. Just be gentle when serving since it’s pre-cut and can fall apart easily (in the best way possible).
- Boneless Ham: A little easier to carve and great if you’re feeding a crowd that doesn’t want to deal with bones. It might not have quite as much flavor as bone-in, but the sauce will take care of that!
- Smoked Ham Shank: Similar to the picnic ham but with a bit more meat and a milder smoky flavor. Perfect if you like a slightly leaner cut.
- Smoked Shoulder: This cut has a deep, smoky flavor and plenty of marbling, which means tender, juicy meat. It’s a great alternative if you’re looking for something super flavorful with a bit more fat to keep things moist.
- Boston Butt Roast: While not technically a ham, this pork cut is packed with rich flavor and tenderness when slow-cooked. It’s a fattier option that will break down beautifully and soak up all that sweet and spicy goodness. If you’re feeling adventurous and don’t mind straying from traditional ham, this is a winner!
No matter which ham you pick, the magic of slow cooking + Sriracha + a touch of sweetness (hello, brown sugar!) will make it downright delicious.
How much ham per person
Ah, yes. The eternal question: what size ham do I need? No one wants to run out of ham (disaster!), but you also don’t want to be eating leftovers for weeks… or do you? 😏 The general rule of thumb is about ½ pound per person if you’re working with a bone-in ham. If you’re going boneless, you can scale that down to ⅓ pound per person since there’s no bone taking up space.
If you are planning for a big feast with lots of sides, like for Easter, you can get away with a little less per person. But if your crowd is full of ham lovers (or you’re dreaming of leftovers for days), feel free to bump it up.
How to slow-cook ham with Sriracha glaze in a crock pot
Alright, let’s make this ridiculously easy (and delicious) ham! First, grab your slow cooker and sprinkle 1/3 cup of brown sugar right on the bottom.
Next, place your ham in the crock pot. If it’s too big to fit, no worries—just trim it down until it nestles in nicely. Now grab a brush (or get hands-on) and slather that ham with Sriracha. It might seem like a lot of Sriracha but I promise–the end results is more mild than you might think.
Once it’s coated, take the rest of the brown sugar and rub it all over the ham. Pop the lid on and cook it on low for about 3-4 hours—since the ham is already cooked, we’re just warming it through and letting all those flavors meld together. When it’s done, transfer it to a cutting board, carve it up, or go wild and shred it.
Delicious ways to use up leftover ham
I really hope you end up with some leftovers because there is so much you can do with leftover ham. Turn it into a cheesy appetizer with this Ham and Cheese Dip or have it for breakfast in a Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Frittata or Cheesy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole with Ham. I also like to chop it up and add it to a soup like my Ham Mac and Cheese Soup, Ham and Potato Soup, or Split Pea and Ham Soup.
How to store leftover ham with Sriracha glaze
First things first—let the ham cool down to room temp (but don’t leave it sitting out for too long; about an hour is good). Then, slice or shred it up and pop it into an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days, and trust me, those flavors get even better overnight!You can also freeze leftover ham. Just portion it out, wrap it up nice and tight and toss it in a freezer-safe bag. It’ll keep for up to 3 months, so you can pull it out whenever that ham craving hits.
How to reheat slow cooked ham
The key to reheating this ham is keeping it juicy and tender—nobody wants dried-out ham, right?
If you’ve got a little time, the oven is your best bet. Place the ham in a baking dish, add a splash of water or broth to keep things moist, cover it with foil, and warm it at 300°F for about 15-20 minutes (longer if you’re heating a larger portion). Low and slow is the way to go.
If you are short on time, you can use the microwave. Just place your slices on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel to trap moisture, and heat in 30-second bursts until warmed through.
You can also pop the ham back in the slow cooker on low with a splash of water or broth, and let it warm up for about 1-2 hours.
Easy crockpot ham with Sriracha glaze FAQs
The best way to cook it is to gently reheat it so it stays juicy, tender, and full of flavor. No need to go overboard, though; this ham’s already cooked, so you’re just warming it up and adding a little extra magic. I like to use my slow cooker. That way, it’ll soak up all the flavors while staying nice and moist. You can also use the oven but remember to go low and slow with that as well. Aim for 325 degrees, cover it with foil to lock in that moisture, and roast for 10-15 minutes per pound.
Absolutely! You can totally heat a fully cooked ham in the slow cooker—and it’s one of the easiest, most hands-off ways to do it. Just pop that ham in the slow cooker, add a little bit of liquid (like water or broth), and cover it. Set the slow cooker on low and let it warm up for 2-3 hours. Just make sure not to leave it in too long—since it’s already cooked, you’re just reheating it, so low and slow is key to keeping that juicy goodness intact!
No, your ham doesn’t need to be fully submerged in the slow cooker. The key is to add a bit of liquid—just enough to help keep things moist and create a little steam. A cup or two of water will do the trick. The ham will release its own juices as it cooks, and that liquid will create the perfect environment for slow cooking.
Yes, you definitely want to add a little liquid when cooking a ham. The liquid helps keep the ham moist and prevents it from drying out. For slow cooking, a cup or two of water–It doesn’t need to cover the ham, just enough to create some steam and moisture in the pot. The ham will release its own juices as it cooks, so the liquid will help keep everything tender while letting all those flavors meld together.
More Easter recipes to try!
- Roast Leg of Lamb with Blackened Honey Dijon Crust >> the most tender, juicy roast lamb I´ve ever had
- Prime Rib Recipe To Impress Your Guests >> mix things up this Easter and try prime rib. You will NOT be disappointed.
- Funeral Potatoes (Cheesy Potato Casserole) >> tons of cheddar cheese, then baked to perfection with a crunchy corn flakes topping. Doesn´t get much better than this.
- Ina Garten Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes >> I swear this is the best make-ahead mashed potatoes recipe I´ve ever tried
- Best Recipe for Ambrosia Fruit Salad >> ambrosia salad is an Easter classic and this one is totally addicting
- Sriracha Deviled Eggs >> soooooo good and perfect for Easter
- Pineapple Ham from The Cookie Rookie
- Easy & Amazing Overnight Easter Ham from Chris Loves Julia
- Rosemary and Mustard Crusted Baked Ham from I Breathe I´m Hungry
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram
Easy Sriracha Ham (Slow Cooker)
Ingredients
For the ham:
- 1 & 1/3 cup brown sugar, divided
- 5 pound smoked ham, bone-in picnic
- 2-3 tablespoons Sriracha
For the glaze:
- cooking liquid
- 1-3 tablespoons Sriracha
- 1 & 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- water
Instructions
For the ham:
- Add 1/3 brown sugar to the crock pot and spread on the bottom.
- Unwrap your ham and put it in the crock pot, trimming to fit if necessary.
- Use a brush or your hands to rub the Sriracha sauce all over.
- Use your hands to rub the remaining brown sugar all over the ham.
- Cook on low until the ham is warm throughout (it’s already cooked). This should take about 3-4 hours.*
- Remove the ham from the crock pot and transfer to a cutting board; carve or shred.
For the glaze:
- If you have time, transfer the cooking liquid to a tupperware and freeze for 1/2 hour or so. This will make it easier to skim the fat from the top. Skim the fat and transfer to a saucepan.
- (If you don’t have time, you can skip separating the fat and just put the cooking liquid straight into a saucepan. It won’t kill you.)
- Once the liquid is a sauce pan, bring to a boil. Add Sriracha to taste.
- In a small bowl, combine cornstarch with 1-2 tablespoons water, enough to dissolve it. Stir together, and once the cooking liquid is hot, add the cornstarch mixture.
- Turn the heat down to medium. Cook and stir for 2-4 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve with the ham.
This recipe caught my eye while perusing delish.com…lo and behold its Karen! Hi Karen!
Hi Jordan!! :)
The recipe says ham, but the pictures are of smoked shoulder which the packaging recommends cooking for 8 hrs.
Hey Jay! The recipe calls for a smoked bone-in picnic ham, which is what I show pictured. I zoomed in on the photo and can’t read what it recommends for cook time! Haha. I’m impressed that you can. Honestly I’m no pork expert. (Charlatan is my name, faking it is my game…) I just know that I bought a picnic ham and made it in the slow cooker and it worked out great! let me know if you have any other questions.
I’m going to try this out this Easter Sunday. I’m debating layering the top with crushed pineapples. Do you recommend or no?
Oh my that sounds delicious! Yes I say definitely try it! Let me know how it goes!
The pineapple worked out great! It was SO good! Thanks for the encouragement lol. Best ham I’ve ever made, or had in general.
Hello! I was wondering if this works with a boneless smoked picnic ham as well! I am not much in the kitchen, but our grocery store doesn’t carry the bone in kind…and mine looks pretty different from the one in your picture :/ I like the shredded look in the end, and I have a feeling mine is not going to come out that way! Help!
:)
Hi Jaclyn! One thing I’ve found with this recipe is that it is pretty darn forgiving. So I say use what you’ve got! As long as it is precooked and smoked it should come out great. Good luck!
I made this today and it was amazing!! I used a 10 pound ham and just had to trim it a little. I used 5 tablespoons of sriracha and it wasn’t spicy just had a nice kick. I cooked this on low for 6.5 hours and “warm” for 3 – perfect!
I’m so glad you loved it Gina! I just made this again on Sunday for Easter. Never fails! Thanks for coming back to comment!
I am a big fan of the siracha, but making Easter dinner for some folks who aren’t as adventurous with the heat. How spicy is this ham?
Hey Jenny! In my opinion it’s not that spicy at all. Just adds pleasant flavor. Scale back the sriracha if you are worried about it–the recipe would still be great even if you omit it. Happy Easter!
Just wondering. Already bought ny ham and it’s a spiral cut. Think it will still work?
Hey Sue! Yes, I definitely think it will work! I haven’t tried it but the internet says that lots of people have done spiral ham in the slow cooker, and if we can’t trust google well then WHO CAN WE TRUST? Just kidding. Happy Easter!
You have some pretty killer crock pot skills so I don’t think you should worry about not being able to name a single public figure. Although, I’m going to buy you a subscription to People magazine, k? (Also, I only know his character name – Ted. Is that who we’re talking about? Or Barney?? Clearly I didn’t watch the Oscars…)
I could not find a reasonably priced picnic ham at the store. Could I use a Boston butt roast? Would I do anything different, other than the cook time?
Hey Jennifer! The Boston butt is another really nice cut of meat and should work great for this recipe! Trivia time: did you know that the Boston butt is from the shoulder of the pig? They are called butts because back in the day this cut was stored in a barrel that was called a “butt.” Who knew, right?? Internet, I love you. Enjoy Jennifer!
I chickened out on the Boston butt. I made the recipe as is for Easter lunch, and it was a hit with the whole family! Everyone went back for seconds and thirds. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Oh good, glad it worked out Jennifer! I made this with a spiral ham today and it worked out great, I will have to try the Boston butt next time!
But really though, half the time on TV shows when someone makes a cameo, I’m not even aware they’re someone famous until the studio audience starts going crazy. The struggle. Buuut this 3-ingredient ham–say what?! This looks amazing. And perfect since rolls totally have priority in my life.
Wow!! This looks amazing! So tender and delicious and I really want some right now! Haha, great recipe girl! Love it!
Thanks Cailee! Kind of wishing I had some now too…!
What a great idea to use the slow cooker for ham! I definitely always need more room in my oven … especially for the rolls!! Carbs are clearly the highest priority! Well, at least at my house :)
What are holidays for besides loading up with carbs? I mean really. :) Bring on the rolls!
Hahaha! It’s funny when you take people out of context, how hard it is to ID them. Ever see your doctor’s receptionist or nurse at the grocery store? I’m always like, ‘I know you…but why? Where?’ Plus Biden is a little creepy – just sayin’ :)
I’m with you mom…a little creepy :)
This ham sounds incredibel, Karen! We eat a lot of sriracha in our house. I can’t wait to try this!
Thanks Jen! I know, I’m a little obsessed with the Sriracha. It’s just so good! :)