Instant Pot Ham | Life Made Sweeter

This Instant Pot Ham is juicy, flavorful and so easy to make with a spiral-sliced ham and sweet maple glaze that warms up in the pressure cooker. Comes together in less than 30 minutes and is the perfect for your Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter table! Gluten-free, low carb, keto with paleo and dairy-free options.

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Updated March 2024

Easy Instant Pot Ham Recipe

No holiday table is complete without a roasted turkey or a delicious spiral baked ham. Making a spiral ham for Easter, Christmas or your next holiday dinner is easier than you think.

This Instant Pot Ham is done in under 30 minutes in a pressure cooker and comes out juicy and full of amazing flavor. No more dry ham that cooks in the oven for hours. Plus it frees up the oven for other dishes or desserts taking a lot of the stress out of the holidays.

Since ham cooks so much quicker in the instant pot, that means you won’t have to wake up early to prepare your holiday meal. Keeping the oven off means a more hands-off holiday ham. And, you won’t have to heat up your kitchen during the warmer months. Don’t have a pressure cooker? Try our Slow Cooker Ham or Honey Baked Ham instead.

Why you’ll love this easy ham recipe

• Only 4 ingredients required for the glaze
• Low carb, keto friendly, gluten-free with paleo and Whole30 options.
• Less than 10 minutes of prep time for an easy pressure cooker ham recipe
• Freezer-friendly & easy to make ahead of time
• A simple set and forget ham recipe that takes the stress out of hosting Sunday dinner or any holiday gatherings!

Ingredients you need

• Spiral-Cut Ham: Be sure to get one that is around 4lbs since it fits perfectly in a 6-Quart Instant Pot. We like the Spiral Sliced Uncured Ham from Trader Joe’s.

For the 4 ingredient low carb glaze:

• Unsalted Butter: You can sub with ghee or vegan butter for dairy-free.
• Granulated brown sugar of choice: Such as coconut sugar or brown sugar. Maple syrup or honey work as well. For a lower sugar option, you can use Swerve or golden monk fruit sweetener. Omit for Whole30 or add 1-2 tablespoons of orange juice or homemade date paste..
• Dijon Mustard
• Garlic: Finely minced.

How to make Instant Pot Ham

Many people are surprised when they realize that you can make ham in a pressure cooker. Most spiral hams are cooked already, so to cook ham in the Instant Pot, all we need to do is to heat it up, just like you would do in the oven. The Instant Pot makes it easier and faster!

1. Make the glaze: Start by combining the butter and sweetener in a small pot over medium heat and and heat until melted. Stir in the mustard and minced garlic until combined.
2. Place the ham in the Instant Pot: Add 1 cup of water to Instant Pot, then insert the trivet inside. Place the ham on the trivet, with the cut side down. Brush the ham with the glaze covering the outside and inside of all areas.
3. Cook: Close lid, press “manual” or “pressure cook” and set the timer to 9 minutes. The Instant Pot can take anywhere from 10- 15 minutes to come to pressure.
4. Release the pressure naturally and open the lid: Once the ham is cooked, allow the Instant Pot to release the pressure naturally (about 10 minutes). Carefully open the lid and transfer the ham onto a cutting board.
5. Broil for a caramelized coating: For an extra-caramelized coating, place the ham on a foil-lined baking sheet and heat under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until desired doneness.
   
6. Slice and serve: Slice ham and serve with any leftover glaze.

Oven Instructions:

If you don’t have an Instant Pot or prefer to use your oven, you can still enjoy delicious glazed ham with this easy adaptation. Here’s how to make it:

Tips for success

• How long to cook ham: This depends on the size of your ham and Instant Pot. We set ours to cook at 8 minutes for a 4 lb spiral-cut ham that fits perfectly in my 6 Quart Instant Pot Duo Plus. If you are using a larger 6 lb bone-in thigh ham or have an 8 quart, the time will still be 15 minutes but will take longer to come to pressure as well as fully release pressure.
• Sweetener: If you don’t need a sugar free / keto glaze, feel free to use honey or maple syrup.
• Add some spices: Change up the flavor with some warm spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves
• Fruit: Add sweetness to your glaze with: cranberries, cherries or orange
• Broil: Place your instant pot ham under the broiler to give it that caramelized coating!

Serving Suggestions

Ham goes great with just about any sides you like. Here are some of our favorites:

Storage Instructions

Got leftovers?  Make sure your leftover ham is cooled down to the touch. Not too long though because cooked ham should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours.

• Start by wrapping your leftover ham tightly with plastic wrap and then again with another layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to four days. Cooked ham should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours.
• You can store uncooked ham in the fridge for up to three days.

Reheating instructions

• Oven: Remove your leftover cooked ham from the fridge and place in an oven-safe baking dish. Place and wrap a large aluminum foil loosely over the top of the ham. This helps to keep moisture in. Bake at 275 degrees F at 10 minutes per pound–or until a meat thermometer reads 135 – 140 degrees.
• Skillet: Place individual ham slices on a skillet or a frying pan. Heat on medium heat until warm through.
• Microwave: Not the best method since microwaves tend to remove a lot of moisture so it’s easy to dry out your ham but you can reheat a few slices in the microwave if needed. Place a few slices on a microwave safe plate and heat on medium high for a few minutes until warmed through.

How to Freeze Ham

1. Make sure your leftover cooked ham is cooled and dry. This helps to prevent ice crystals from forming.
2. Start by wrapping your leftover ham tightly with plastic wrap or a freezer bag and then again with another layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
3. Place the wrapped ham in another freezer bag or a large storage container. This will help prevent freezer burn. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can I use a different type of ham for this recipe? A: Absolutely! While we recommend spiral-sliced ham for its convenience and flavor, you can use any type of ham you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time as needed based on the size and thickness of the ham.

Q: Can I make this recipe in a different type of pressure cooker? A: Yes, you can adapt this recipe for use in other types of pressure cookers, such as the Ninja Foodi or Crock-Pot Express. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cooking times and settings.

Q: Can I make this recipe in advance? A: Yes, you can prepare the glaze and brush it over the ham in advance. Store the ham in the refrigerator until ready to cook. You can also cook the ham ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve.

Q: How do I know when the ham is cooked through? A: The ham is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure that it has reached the proper temperature before serving.

Q: Can I freeze leftover ham? A: Yes, leftover ham can be frozen for future use. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place it in an airtight container before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Q: What side dishes pair well with Instant Pot ham? A: Instant Pot ham pairs well with a variety of side dishes, including mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, and salad.

Q: Can I make a larger or smaller ham using this recipe? A: Yes, you can adjust the size of the ham based on your needs. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure that it is cooked through properly.

Q: Can I use a different type of glaze for the ham? A: Absolutely! Feel free to customize the glaze to suit your taste preferences. You can experiment with different combinations of sweeteners, mustards, and seasonings to create your own unique flavor profile.

More easy Instant Pot recipes:

Instant Pot Whole Chicken

Pressure Cooker Instant Pot Roast

Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Garlic