The “Pantry-Staple” Brown Sugar Ham Bites
This recipe is essentially a “deconstructed” holiday ham, optimized for toothpicks and parties.
| Category | Details |
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 2–3 hours |
| Total Time | 3 hours 5 minutes |
| Yield | 10–12 servings |
🍴 The 4 Ingredients
- 3 lbs Fully cooked ham (Boneless “Pit” ham or thick-cut ham steaks), cubed.
- 1 ½ cups Dark brown sugar, packed.
- ½ cup Pineapple juice (The acidity tenderizes the ham fibers).
- 2 tbsp Dijon or Spicy Brown mustard.
👩🍳 Instructions
1. The Cube Cut
- Cut your ham into 1-inch squares. Try to keep them uniform so they “caramelize” at the same rate.
- Place them into the basin of a 4-quart to 6-quart slow cooker.
2. The Slurry Pour
- In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, pineapple juice, and mustard.
- Pour the mixture over the ham cubes. Toss them with a large spoon until every piece looks “lacquered.”
3. The “Low & Slow” Glaze
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours (or HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours).
- The “Mid-Way” Toss: About halfway through, give the ham a good stir. You’ll notice the sugar has turned into a thin liquid; don’t worry, it will thicken as the ham releases its natural salts.
4. The Lid-Off Reduction
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, prop the lid open slightly with a wooden spoon. This allows steam to escape, which “reduces” the sauce from a juice into a thick, sticky glaze that clings to the meat.
5. The Serving Snap
- Switch the slow cooker to the “Warm” setting. Serve directly from the pot with a bowl of toothpicks nearby.
The “Spice-Rack” Hack: If you have it on hand, add ½ tsp of ground cloves or a pinch of red pepper flakes. The cloves give it that “Traditional Christmas Ham” aroma, while the pepper flakes turn it into a “Sweet & Spicy” masterpiece.