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Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Brown Sugar Ham Bites

These sweet, tangy ham bites are the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish. With just four simple ingredients and your slow cooker, you can create a delicious, sticky glaze that clings to tender cubes of ham. Ideal for holidays, parties, or weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Slow Cooker
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings as an appetizer, about 4–6 as a main
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2.25 pounds fully cooked boneless ham cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice or apple juice
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard or yellow mustard

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the ham: Trim any excess fat from the ham if desired, then cut the ham into roughly 1-inch cubes. Aim for fairly even pieces so they heat and glaze at the same rate.
  • Make the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, pineapple juice, and Dijon mustard until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture looks smooth and syrupy.
  • Layer in the slow cooker: Place the ham cubes into a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the brown sugar mixture evenly over the top, stirring gently to coat the ham bites as well as you can.
  • Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, or on HIGH for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The ham is already fully cooked, so you’re primarily warming it through and allowing the glaze to thicken and cling to the pieces.
  • Stir and reduce glaze (if needed): About halfway through the cooking time, give the ham a gentle stir to redistribute the glaze. If, at the end of cooking, you’d like a thicker, stickier sauce, remove the slow cooker lid and cook on HIGH for an additional 15–20 minutes, stirring once or twice, to let some of the liquid evaporate.
  • Serve: Transfer the ham bites and their sauce to a serving bowl or small chafing dish. Serve warm with toothpicks as an appetizer, or spoon over your chosen sides if serving as a main dish.

Notes

These bites are great for potlucks and holiday buffets. You can swap the Dijon for honey mustard for a milder sweetness or add a pinch of chili flakes for heat.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal
Keyword 4 ingredients, appetizer, ham, holiday, slow cooker
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