When I need dinner handled before the evening rush really kicks in, this 5-ingredient slow cooker ham recipe is exactly the kind of practical comfort food I lean on. It turns cubed cooked ham into a sweet-and-savory supper with almost no fuss, and it has that old-school Midwestern supper feel that makes late-August evenings a little easier, especially when the day is still busy but everyone is ready for something warm and filling at the end of it.
This dish is especially good spooned over hot rice, buttered egg noodles, or mashed potatoes to catch all that rich sauce. If you want to round it out with something simple, steamed green beans, corn on the cob, or a crisp side salad work really well, and iced tea or apple cider makes it feel like an easy family supper.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Late August Suppertime Ham
Servings: 6
Ingredients
4 cups cubed cooked ham
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks, with juice
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup yellow mustard
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Directions
1. Add the cubed cooked ham and the entire can of pineapple chunks with juice to the slow cooker.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, yellow mustard, and cornstarch until smooth, then pour the mixture over the ham and pineapple.
3. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, stirring once or twice if convenient, until the ham is heated through and the sauce is thickened and glossy.
4. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes, spooning plenty of sauce over each serving.
Variations & Tips
Sweeter Supper: If you like a sweeter sauce, add an extra 2 to 3 tablespoons of brown sugar. This is a nice option if you are serving it over plain rice and want more of that sweet-and-savory contrast.
Tangier Version: For a little more zip, increase the mustard slightly. Start with an extra tablespoon so the sauce stays balanced and does not overpower the ham.
Easy Make-Ahead Tip: You can cube the ham and mix the sauce ingredients the night before, then keep them separate in the refrigerator. In the morning, just add everything to the slow cooker and turn it on before work.
Sauce Texture Tip: If the sauce seems thinner than you want at the end of cooking, leave the lid off for 15 to 20 minutes on high and stir once. That usually helps it tighten up nicely without any extra ingredients.