Christmas | Dinner | Ham | Main Dish | New Year Celebration | Pressure Cooker | Sunday Dinner | Thanksgiving
Instant Pot Baked Ham
Save time in the kitchen with this Instant Pot baked ham recipe. Tender and mouthwatering results in a fraction of the time.
This Instant Pot baked ham takes much less time than the more traditional oven-baked ham. The recipe includes an optional quick bake near the end, which produces a lovely pineapple glaze.
The ham is pressure-cooked with a sweet-and-tangy mixture of crushed pineapple, maple syrup, brown sugar, and mustard, for a perfect balance of flavors. The pineapple and maple syrup add a natural sweetness, while the mustard adds a subtle tang that complements the ham’s richness. Adding pineapple juice keeps the meat moist and flavorful throughout the cooking process.
Finish the ham with a quick bake in the oven for an extra-special touch to give it a beautiful golden crust.
Whether preparing a festive centerpiece or just looking for an easy way to serve a crowd-pleasing meal, this Instant Pot baked ham is the answer. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, you’ll have a stunning and flavorful dish that feels like it took hours!
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- Holiday-worthy results with minimal effort. The Instant Pot handles reheating and flavor infusion, saving oven time and reducing hands-on work.
- Extra-juicy ham every time. Pressure cooking keeps moisture inside the meat, preventing the dryness that sometimes happens when reheating ham in the oven.
- A flavorful pineapple glaze that complements the ham beautifully. The balance of sweetness, tanginess, and mild heat from the mustard creates a glaze that’s bright, sticky, and deeply aromatic.
- Perfect for feeding a crowd. A 6-pound bone-in ham yields plenty of servings, yet the preparation is simple and the timing is predictable.
- Flexible for serving and presentation. You can glaze and serve the ham straight from the Instant Pot or finish under high heat in the oven for a caramelized crust.
Ingredient Notes
- Fully cooked bone-in ham – Choose a half ham that fits comfortably in your Instant Pot. Bone-in versions offer better flavor and texture. Spiral-sliced hams work but may dry out more easily; reduce cooking time slightly if using one.
- Crushed pineapple – Adds natural sweetness, acidity, and moisture to the glaze. Pineapple tidbits or fresh pineapple can be substituted but will produce a slightly chunkier glaze.
- Brown sugar – Enhances caramelization and balances the savory saltiness of the ham. Light or dark brown sugar both work.
- Maple syrup – Adds depth and a warm, rounded sweetness. Honey works as a substitute if needed.
- Mustard – Dijon provides tang while spicy brown adds a mild heat. Both cut through the richness of the ham and the sweetness of the glaze.
- Pineapple juice – Helps thin the glaze and creates enough liquid for pressure cooking. Orange juice works in a pinch for a citrus-forward variation.
Steps to Make Instant Pot Baked Ham
- Prepare all ingredients before starting. This helps the process move smoothly once the ham is placed into the pot.
- Combine the crushed pineapple, brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, and pineapple juice. This mixture becomes both the cooking liquid and the base for the glaze.
- Place the ham in the Instant Pot, flat side down if possible, and pour the pineapple mixture over the top. The flavors will seep between the slices and around the bone.
- Pressure cook the ham until it reaches a warm, tender texture. Natural release helps keep the juices inside the meat, preventing drying.
- Transfer the ham to a platter and strain the cooking liquid. Separating the fat helps the glaze reduce cleanly and quickly.
- Use the sauté setting to cook the glaze until thickened and glossy. Spoon the glaze over the sliced ham or finish it in the oven for a caramelized crust.
- Add pineapple rings for serving if desired, then slice and enjoy.
Pro Tips
- Fit the ham securely in the Instant Pot; if it sits too high, trim a small section from the underside.
- Avoid overcooking a spiral-sliced ham—reduce pressure time by a few minutes since slices heat quickly.
- Lift the ham using two long forks or a sling made from foil to avoid breaking it.
- Reduce the glaze to your preferred consistency; it thickens further as it cools.
- Finish under the broiler or in a hot oven if you want a sticky, caramelized crust.
Recipe Variations
- Brown sugar–bourbon glaze. Substitute a splash of bourbon for part of the pineapple juice for deeper flavor.
- Honey mustard ham. Replace maple syrup with honey and use spicy brown mustard for a sharper glaze.
- Citrus ham. Use orange juice and add a little orange zest to the glaze for a bright, aromatic finish.
- Apple-glazed ham. Swap pineapple juice for apple cider and add a pinch of cinnamon to the glaze mixture.
- Spiral-slice friendly version. Reduce pressure time by 3 to 4 minutes to prevent dryness.
Leftover Ham Ideas
- Casseroles: Try this delicious ham and egg casserole for a relaxing weekend breakfast, or make a pasta, ham, and cheese casserole for a yummy family meal. You might also like this chicken and pasta casserole, which includes diced ham and Swiss cheese. And this ham tetrazzini is always a hit.
- Sandwiches: Make a flavorful ham salad and serve it in buns or sandwich rolls. These ham and cheese sliders take the ham and cheese sandwich to the next level! This iconic Croque Monsieur will take you on a virtual trip to Paris.
- Tart: A bit of fig jam flavors this lovely ham and Gruyère tart perfectly, and it’s easy to make with store-bought puff pastry.
- Pasta: Make a fast and easy ham and asparagus fettuccine with leftover diced ham. This ranch pasta salad with ham is a great choice for warm-weather lunches.
- Potatoes: We love this easy roasted potatoes and ham dish. The combination of potatoes, ham, onion, and garlic is roasted to perfection.
- Appetizers: This ham and honey mustard pinwheel recipe is one of our favorite snacks. Or dice your ham finely to make these delicious deviled eggs with ham.
How to Store
- Refrigerate leftover ham tightly wrapped or in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Add some glaze to the storage container to keep slices moist.
- Freeze sliced ham for up to 2 months; wrap portions tightly before freezing to prevent dryness.
- Reheat gently in a covered dish with a little extra glaze or broth to keep the meat tender. For a crisp caramelized edge, finish under a broiler after reheating.
Instant Pot Baked Ham
Save time in the kitchen with this Instant Pot baked ham recipe. Tender and mouthwatering results in a fraction of the time.
Ingredients
- 1 6- pound ham, fully cooked bone-in *
- 1 20- 20-ounce can crushed pineapple
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, fully cooked bone-in
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup mustard, Dijon or spicy brown
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1 8-ounce pineapple rings, optional
Instructions
- Measure the ingredients and have them ready for preparation.
- Combine the crushed pineapple, broth sugar, maple syrup, mustard, and pineapple juice in a medium bowl; stir to blend.
- Place the ham in the Instant Pot and add the pineapple sauce mixture over it.
- Lock the lid in place, make sure the knob is in the sealing position, and select high pressure. Set the timer for 20 minutes.
- When the time is up, let the pressure come down naturally for 15 minutes, then do a quick release. Check the temperature of the ham. It should register around 140 F or higher. Even though it is fully cooked, the flavor is best when it’s cooked to at least 140 F.
- Strain the juices into a fat separator. Pour the defatted juices and solids back into the Instant Pot and set it to sauté. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes to reduce the mixture and concentrate the flavors. Spoon over the ham. If desired, place the ham in a foil-lined baking pan, spoon the glaze over it, and bake at 425 F for 15 to 20 minutes to set the glaze.
- Transfer the ham to a serving platter and slice.
- Serve with pineapple rings, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
*Make sure the ham will fit in your Instant Pot. You might be able to cut it into 2 pieces.
Nutrition
Calories: 846kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 69gFat: 53gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 25gTrans Fat: 0.001gCholesterol: 197mgSodium: 3842mgPotassium: 957mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 6IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 3mg
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
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