This 5-ingredient slow cooker diced ham is the kind of easy supper that saves a busy day and still feels hearty enough to gather everyone around the table. Using diced ham pieces gives you a head start on flavor, and the slow cooker does the rest, turning a handful of pantry and fridge staples into a warm, savory meal with a sweet-and-tangy glaze that coats every bite.
This dish is especially good served over fluffy rice, buttery mashed potatoes, or egg noodles so you can soak up all that flavorful sauce. For a full family meal, add simple green beans, roasted carrots, or a crisp side salad, and if you want to stretch it even further, set out warm dinner rolls to round everything out.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Diced Ham
Servings: 6
Ingredients
4 cups diced ham pieces
1 cup pineapple chunks with 1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
Directions
1. Add the diced ham pieces to the bottom of the slow cooker and spread them out evenly.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the pineapple chunks with juice, brown sugar, ketchup, and yellow mustard until well combined.
3. Pour the sauce mixture over the ham, cover, and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, stirring once or twice if convenient, until everything is hot and the sauce has thickened slightly.
4. Spoon the hot ham and sauce over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles and serve warm.
Variations & Tips
For picky eaters: If your family prefers a smoother sauce, use crushed pineapple instead of chunks so the texture blends right in. You can also serve the ham over rice for a simple, kid-friendly plate.
Make it a little sweeter: Add an extra tablespoon or two of brown sugar if you like more of that classic sweet ham flavor. This is especially nice when serving with plain rice or potatoes.
Tangier version: Stir in a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or a little extra mustard for a brighter flavor that balances the sweetness nicely.
Thicker sauce tip: If you want the sauce thicker at the end, leave the lid slightly ajar for the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking, or stir in a small cornstarch slurry and let it heat through before serving.
Easy leftovers: Leftover diced ham is wonderful tucked into slider rolls, spooned over baked potatoes, or mixed into mac and cheese the next day, which makes this recipe extra helpful for busy families.