Why You’ll Love this Savory Boneless Smoked Ham
This savory boneless smoked ham is about to become your new holiday hero—or honestly, your any-day hero.
I can’t overstate how ridiculously simple yet impressive this recipe is. What makes it special? The magical combination of Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and brown sugar creates a glaze that caramelizes perfectly in your crockpot.
No hovering required, no oven space needed. And let’s talk convenience. While your ham slowly cooks to juicy perfection, you’re free to prepare sides, mingle with guests, or just put your feet up.
The diamond-cut pattern? It’s not just for looks—it helps that sweet-tangy sauce penetrate deep into every bite.
What Ingredients are in Savory Boneless Smoked Ham?
The beauty of this boneless smoked ham recipe lies in its simplicity. With just four ingredients, you’ll create a showstopping centerpiece that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen.
The combination of tangy Dijon, sweet maple syrup, and rich brown sugar creates a perfect balance that complements the savory, smoky flavor of the ham. And the best part? Everything goes right into your crockpot, meaning minimal prep work and maximum flavor.
- 6 pounds John F. Martin smoked boneless ham
- 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
When shopping for your ingredients, a few things to keep in mind. First, the quality of your ham matters—I recommend sticking with the John F. Martin brand if available, but any good-quality boneless smoked ham will work beautifully.
For the maple syrup, splurge on the real thing, not pancake syrup. The pure maple flavor makes a noticeable difference in the final taste. As for the Dijon, a smooth variety works best for this glaze, though whole grain can add interesting texture if that’s what you have on hand.
The recipe’s genius is in its adaptability, so don’t stress if you need to make minor substitutions based on what’s in your pantry.
How to Make this Savory Boneless Smoked Ham
Preparing this mouthwatering boneless smoked ham couldn’t be simpler, and your crockpot does most of the heavy lifting. Start by taking your 6-pound John F. Martin smoked boneless ham and creating a diamond pattern across the top surface. This isn’t just for looks—those shallow cuts allow the delicious glaze to penetrate deeper into the meat, infusing every bite with flavor.
The diamond pattern also creates little pockets that caramelize beautifully as the ham cooks, adding texture and visual appeal to your centerpiece.
Next, place your diamond-cut ham directly into your crockpot. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of tangy Dijon mustard, 1/2 cup of pure maple syrup, and 1/2 cup of light brown sugar until thoroughly combined. This sweet-savory mixture might look a bit odd at first—kind of like a grainy, golden-brown slurry—but trust me, the magic happens as it cooks down.
Pour this mixture evenly over your ham, making sure to get some down the sides and into those diamond cuts. Set your crockpot to low and let it work its magic for about 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
The final step might be the hardest: waiting. Once your ham reaches that perfect 140-degree mark, resist the urge to dig in immediately. Instead, let it rest for a full 20 minutes before slicing.
This resting period is essential as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring each slice is moist and tender. While waiting, you can spoon some of that gorgeous, thickened sauce from the bottom of the crockpot over the ham for an extra flavor boost.
The result? A perfectly glazed, incredibly juicy ham that looks like it took all day to prepare, when really your crockpot did all the work.
Savory Boneless Smoked Ham Substitutions and Variations
Looking for ways to customize your smoked ham experience?
I’ve played around with this recipe countless times and found some delicious alternatives. Honey works beautifully in place of maple syrup, giving a slightly different sweetness profile.
Not a fan of Dijon? Stone-ground or whole-grain mustard adds amazing texture. For a spicier kick, mix in a tablespoon of sriracha or chipotle powder with the glaze.
You can even swap the brown sugar for apricot preserves—trust me, it creates a tangy-sweet glaze that caramelizes perfectly. My family goes wild whenever I add a splash of bourbon to the mixture.
What to Serve with Savory Boneless Smoked Ham
When serving a perfectly glazed boneless smoked ham, I’ve found that choosing the right side dishes can transform your meal from simply good to absolutely memorable.
My go-to companions include creamy scalloped potatoes (that cheesy goodness cuts through the ham’s saltiness) and roasted Brussels sprouts with a touch of balsamic glaze. Can you imagine a better pairing?
For something lighter, try a crisp apple and fennel slaw. The brightness balances the rich ham beautifully.
And don’t forget warm dinner rolls—they’re perfect for sopping up that divine Dijon sauce. Trust me, your guests will be reaching for seconds.
Final Thoughts
After mastering this savory boneless smoked ham recipe, I’ve come to appreciate how a simple preparation can yield such impressive results.
The combination of Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and brown sugar creates a perfect balance of tangy and sweet that elevates an ordinary ham to dinner-party worthy status.
What I love most? The crockpot does all the work. Just diamond score the ham, mix the sauce ingredients, pour, and walk away.
Four hours later, magic happens. The meat emerges tender, the flavors perfectly melded.
It’s my go-to for holidays when I’d rather spend time with family than babysit an oven.
Boneless Smoked Ham with Dijon Glaze
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Score the top of the ham in a diamond pattern with shallow cuts. This allows the glaze to penetrate the meat.
- Place the diamond-cut ham directly into your slow cooker.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, pure maple syrup, and light brown sugar until thoroughly combined.
- Pour the glaze mixture evenly over the ham, ensuring some goes down the sides and into the diamond cuts.
- Set the slow cooker to low and cook for approximately 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
- Once done, allow the ham to rest for 20 minutes before slicing. This helps redistribute the juices throughout the meat.
- Optional: While resting, spoon some of the thickened sauce from the bottom of the slow cooker over the ham for extra flavor.
