Instant Pot Baked Ham is juicy and sweet and cooks in a fraction of the time that it takes to make in the oven.
When I first got married and we hosted our first holiday dinner, the thought of making ham and turkey made me panic. I was so afraid that I was going to mess them both up and dry them out to the point where they were inedible. This is where the Instant Pot comes in perfectly. Cooking a ham in the Instant Pot keeps the meat juicy and tender.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Baked Ham
What is the difference between bone in, boneless and spiral sliced ham
Boneless Ham: A boneless ham is a ham that the bone is removed before the ham is processed and sealed tightly in it’s packaging. Boneless hams are simple to cook and there’s no need to worry about carving around the bone.
Bone In ham: A bone in ham is a traditional ham that is still on the bone. Some people think that the bone keeps the ham juicier and makes it taste better. However, they are trickier to cut because of the bone being in the way when carving your ham. On the plus side you can use the ham bone to make beans, greens, green beans or soup.
Spiral Cut Ham: Spiral cut hams can be boneless or bone in but they are precut by a butcher to make it easier for you to cut since they are already scored for you. Typically they are also glazed. These are quick to cook and usually have a great flavor.
Why cook ham in the Instant Pot
I like to cook ham in the Instant Pot for several different reasons. My favorite reason is because it cooks so much faster in the Instant Pot. Secondly, because ham doesn’t dry out while cooking in the Instant Pot since it is cooked under pressure. And, lastly oven space is precious when making a holiday meal or a Sunday night dinner. Using the Instant Pot for the meat helps to free up precious oven space for casseroles, breads and desserts.
Can I use something other than pineapple for this recipe?
Yes! The options are endless but here are few that I have used myself and my family enjoyed.
- Bourbon
- Apple Sauce
- Oranges
- Orange Juice
- Apple Juice
- Honey
- Agave Nectar
Can I freeze leftover Instant Pot Baked Ham
Absolutely! I freeze leftover ham every time I make a ham. That way when I want to make a casserole or something else that includes ham I have some already cooked and ready to go.
To freeze your leftover ham place your ham in a freezer safe bag or container and keep in the freezer for up to 4 months. To thaw place in the fridge overnight and then use and reheat however you would like.
What is the cooking times for ham in the Instant Pot
To cook a boneless or spiral cut ham like I made you will need to cook for about 2 to 2 ½ minutes per lb to get your ham warm all the through. These hams are typically already full cooked so you just need to warm them to the correct temperature before serving.
For a bone – in ham
4-5 pounds cook time of 12 minutes plus 25 minutes Natural Release
6-7 pounds cook time of 17 minutes plus 25 minutes Natural Release
8-9 pounds cook time of 22 minutes plus 25 minutes natural release
How can I use leftover ham
There are so many ways to use leftover ham. Here is a list of some of my family’s favorite dishes to make with ham.
Ham, egg and cheese biscuits
Western omelets
Ham bone soup
Ham and corn chowder
Hashbrown casserole with ham
Ham and cheese sliders
Ham salad
Scalloped potatoes and ham
Instant Pot Baked Ham
½ boneless ham
1 cup brown sugar
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks in juice
How To Make
- Place the ham in the liner of the electric pressure cooker with the cut side down. Press the brown sugar into the sides of the ham. Pour the pineapple and juice around the ham.
- Cover and set the valve to sealing. Program the electric pressure cooker using “manual” or “pressure cook” for 8 minutes.
- When complete, quickly release the pressure.
- Slice the ham, if needed, prior to serving.
- Note: If a glaze is desired, switch the electric pressure cooker to “saute” mode after removing the ham and pineapple chunks. Bring the juices to a boil and simmer, stirring as needed, until the liquid is reduced by half. Serve over the ham.
More Holiday Recipes
Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot Baked Ham
Equipment
- Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 – 3 lbs boneless ham
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 20 oz pineapple chunks in juice
Instructions
- Place the ham in the liner of the electric pressure cooker with the cut side down. Press the brown sugar into the sides of the ham. Pour the pineapple and juice around the ham.
- Cover and set the valve to sealing. Program the electric pressure cooker using “manual” or “pressure cook” for 8 minutes.
- When complete, quickly release the pressure.
- Slice the ham, if needed, prior to serving.
- Note: If a glaze is desired, switch the electric pressure cooker to “saute” mode after removing the ham and pineapple chunks. Bring the juices to a boil and simmer, stirring as needed, until the liquid is reduced by half. Serve over the ham.
In the cooking times, you say 25 minutes of natural release, but in the actual recipe, it says quick release???
The natural release times are for if you are using a bone-in ham. For the boneless ham you want to do a quick release of the pressure.