Slow Cooker Gammon is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it recipe – tender, flavor-packed ham that practically cooks itself! Whether you’re serving it hot with roast potatoes or slicing it cold for sandwiches, this versatile dish is perfect for easy family dinners, festive spreads, or batch cooking for the week ahead.

A slow cooker gammon glazed ham with several slices cut and fanned out on a white plate, garnished with a small pine sprig. A carving fork is inserted into the top of the ham, and a red and white striped towel sits in the background.

There’s something so comforting about a shiny glazed gammon joint – whether it’s the centerpiece of a Sunday roast or the star of a festive feast. This Slow Cooker Gammon recipe takes all the stress out of cooking ham. It’s juicy, tender, and packed with flavor thanks to a gentle, slow simmer in your trusty crock pot.

You can finish it with a sticky glaze or serve it simply sliced with your favorite sides. It’s incredibly versatile, easy to prep, and perfect for leftovers – think sandwiches, soups, pasta, and more. Once you try this method, you may never go back to boiling or roasting again!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredibly easy – just pop everything in the slow cooker and walk away!
Juicy and tender – the gammon stays moist and slices beautifully.
Perfect for meal prep – serve hot, cold or in leftovers all week long.
Customizable – use cola, cider or apple juice for a flavor twist, and finish with your favorite glaze!

A person slices a glazed, cooked slow cooker gammon on a white platter with a carving fork and knife. Slices of ham are fanned out on the plate, and stacked plates are visible in the background.

Gammon vs Ham: What’s the Difference?

Gammon is the cured joint from the back leg of the pig. Gammon is raw and needs to be cooked before serving whereas ham is already cooked and ready to eat. Once gammon is cooked it becomes ham! Looking for a cheaper cut? Try my Braised Ham Hock, made with a gammon hock.

Slow Cooker Gammon in Coke

Gammon cooked in cola is a British classic, and the slow cooker makes it foolproof. Swap the ginger ale and apple juice for about 2 quarts (2 liters) of full-sugar cola, add the same aromatics and cook as below. Skip diet cola – sweeteners lose their sweetness during long cooking. The cola mellows the saltiness of the joint and gives the ham a subtle caramel sweetness that goes beautifully with the glaze.

How Long to Cook Ham in Crock Pot?

The great thing about slow cooker gammon is that you can set it to cook and then forget it for several hours while you get on with Christmas prep – I always leave gift wrapping to the last minute…

Cook the gammon on the LOW setting for 7–8 hours or on the HIGH setting for 5–6 hours. It is hard to overcook it in a slow cooker, thanks to the low, even temperature and braising liquid.

A glazed ham studded with cloves is partially sliced on a white platter, with a carving fork resting beside it. Stacked plates and a small dish of pickles are in the background.

Here’s What You Will Need

Gammon joint – I usually go for unsmoked but you can pick a smoked one if preferred. This crock pot ham recipe uses a boneless large gammon joint – try to pick the best quality free-range pork you can afford.
Braising liquid – you can boil gammon in water of course, but to add extra flavor, try using apple juice, pineapple juice, cider, ginger ale or cola instead.
Aromatics – adding onion, carrot, bay leaves, peppercorns will further enhance the flavor of the ham. The ham stock can be used in soups or stews afterwards, but test first to make sure it is not too salty.
Glaze – The choices are endless! Honey and brown sugar gammon is a classic option, and maple syrup is always popular, but any sweet-spicy combo works a treat – anything from mango and chili to lime and sherry. I went with apricot jam, sugar, mustard and a splash of brandy to create a simple glaze with a glorious shine. Stud the ham with cloves for a pretty presentation.

A glazed, baked slow cooker gammon studded with cloves sits on a white platter with a carving fork, ready to be sliced. The background features stacked plates and soft, festive lighting.

How to Make Slow Cooker Gammon

Score the Ham

Remove the ham from the slow cooker and set aside to cool. Discard the solids and save the braising liquid to use in soup.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and set the gammon on a rack set over a roasting pan. You might need to scrunch a bit of foil to position under the ham so that it sits level.
Carefully remove the rind from the gammon, leaving a thin layer of fat intact. Lightly score the fat in a crisscross pattern, taking care not to slice too deeply and cut into the meat.

Two images side by side: On the left, a wooden brush applies glaze to a raw pork roast on a rack. On the right, a red silicone brush spreads glaze over another pork roast – perfect prep for slow cooker gammon – also on a metal rack.

Glaze and Serve

Mix the glaze ingredients together and warm briefly in the microwave or a saucepan. Brush the ham liberally with the glaze. Roast in the middle of the oven for about 30 minutes, basting with the glaze every 10 minutes.
Cover loosely with aluminum foil and set aside to rest for 15 minutes before carving with a sharp knife.

Instant Pot Instructions

If you haven’t got time to cook the gammon in your slow cooker then the Instant Pot Ham is the way to go! Pressure cooking is faster and just as fuss-free. As a general rule you will need to cook your gammon on High Pressure for 15 minutes per pound (450g) and allow for natural release. Remember not to overfill your Instant Pot – only add enough liquid so that is no more than ⅔ full.

An overhead view of an Instant Pot filled with a large cut of raw ham, chopped onions, carrots, and seasonings submerged in liquid – perfect for making slow cooker gammon, ready to be cooked.

How to Tell Gammon Is Cooked

When it comes to meat and poultry, I rely heavily on my trusty Thermapen and leave the guess-work behind. Check your gammon is cooked by inserting the thermometer probe into the thickest part until it reads 145°F (63°C). The ham should be easy to pierce with a knife (or the probe) and you should be able to pull the knife out easily without struggling.

Two photos: Left, an uncooked, tied ham sits on a rack in a roasting pan. Right, a hand checks the ham’s temperature with a red digital thermometer – perfect steps before finishing your slow cooker gammon. A bowl of glaze and spices sit nearby.

Serving Suggestions

Slow cooker gammon is as versatile as it is delicious. Serve it up as:

A classic roast dinner – pair with Crispy Roast Potatoes, steamed greens, and gravy for a comforting Sunday roast.
Festive centerpiece of your Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter table along with other festive favorites such as Roast Turkey, Stuffing Balls, Braised Red Cabbage, Creamy Brussels Sprouts and Fluffy Dinner Rolls.

Storing and Reheating Instructions

Fridge: Once cooled, store your gammon in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap (cling film). It will keep well in the fridge for up to 4–5 days.
Freezer: Gammon freezes beautifully! Slice or cube it first, then pack into freezer-safe bags or containers. Label with the date and use within 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

You have several options when it comes to reheating. Just make sure not to overdo it to prevent the ham from drying out.

Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Place gammon slices in a single layer in the basket and mist with oil. Air fry for 3–5 minutes, checking halfway through. Time will vary depending on thickness.
Microwave: Reheat slices in the microwave for 1–2 minutes, loosely covered.
Oven: Wrap in foil and warm at 300°F (150°C) for 15–20 minutes.
Skillet: For crispy edges, fry slices in a hot pan with a splash of oil.

What to Do with Leftover Gammon

Don’t let a single slice go to waste! Here are some clever and tasty ways to use up your leftover slow cooker gammon:

Sandwiches & Wraps Keep it classic with a gammon, mustard, and pickle focaccia sandwich, or make a wrap with cheese and mayo for an easy lunch.
Breakfast or Brunch Fry up thick slices and serve with eggs, hash browns, or use instead of bacon in breakfast potatoes.
Add to Soups & Stews Chop it into cubes and stir into pea and ham soup, ham and bean soup, lentil soup, or a campfire stew for added depth and protein.
Air Fry go retro with a pineapple and ham combo!
Stir into Pasta or Mac & Cheese Use leftover gammon in creamy pasta or baked mac and cheese for the ultimate comfort meal.
Use in Pie or Quiche Use in my leftover turkey pie or slice it into a quiche for a perfect packed lunch option.

More Holiday Recipes

Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Gammon

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Gammon vs Ham: What’s the Difference?

Slow Cooker Gammon in Coke

How Long to Cook Ham in Crock Pot?

Here’s What You Will Need