Instant Pot Ham
Ingredients
- 6 lbspiral cut ham
- 1 cpineapple juice
- ½ cbrown sugar
- ½ cpure maple syrup
do not use artificially flavored pancake syrup
- 2 tbspcorn starch
- cooking spray
- fresh herbs for garnish
Directions
- 1
Coat a 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot with cooking spray. Make sure your ham fits in the pot, if not you can trim it a bit to fit.
- 2
Pour the pineapple juice into the bottom of the pot.
- 3
Place an Instant Pot trivet in the pot if you have one. Place the ham cut side down on the trivet, or in the bottom of the pot.
- 4
Rub the brown sugar all over the ham, then pour the maple syrup over the top.
- 5
Seal the pot, then select Manual High Pressure. Cook for 12 minutes.
- 6
Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully turn the valve to manually release pressure.
- 7
Remove the ham from the pot and cover to keep warm.
- 8
Turn the pot to Saute, then bring the glaze mixture in the bottom to a simmer.
- 9
Place the corn starch in a small bowl and whisk with 3 tablespoons of water until smooth.
- 10
Pour the corn starch mixture into the pot. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until glaze has thickened.
- 11
Pour the glaze over the ham.
- 12
Optional step: If you want, you can broil the ham in the oven at this point on a sheet pan for 3-4 minutes or until glaze has caramelized.
- 13
Transfer the ham to a platter. Decorate the serving platter with fresh herbs if desired, then serve.
Instant Pot Ham
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 43 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving a succulent, show-stopping ham without hours of oven time? This Instant Pot ham recipe delivers a perfectly tender, flavor-packed main course with remarkable ease, making it ideal for holidays or any family dinner.
Why This Recipe Works
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity and efficiency. A spiral-cut ham is coated in a three-ingredient glaze of pineapple juice, brown sugar, and pure maple syrup, then pressure cooked to tender perfection in your Instant Pot. This method ensures uniform cooking and infuses the ham with deep, sweet-savory flavor, all while drastically cutting down on active cooking time compared to traditional oven methods.
What to Expect
Prepare for a truly effortless centerpiece that earns rave reviews. You'll enjoy a beautifully caramelized ham exterior giving way to incredibly moist, fall-apart tender slices on the inside. The glaze, thick and glossy from the corn starch, provides a harmonious balance of sweetness from the brown sugar and maple syrup, complemented by the tangy brightness of pineapple. Every bite is juicy, flavorful, and wonderfully aromatic. This dish truly showcases how the Instant Pot can transform a traditional main into a quick, impressive meal.
Customization & Variations
While this Instant Pot ham recipe is perfected as is, you can personalize the presentation with different fresh herbs for garnish – consider bright parsley, earthy rosemary, or fragrant thyme to complement the rich flavors. The core ham and glaze are designed for maximum impact with minimal fuss, making ingredient swaps unnecessary for its signature taste.
Serving & Context
This tender Instant Pot ham is an ideal main course for family gatherings, holiday feasts, or even a comforting Sunday dinner. Serve it proudly as the star of your meal, perhaps alongside roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes, garnished generously with your chosen fresh herbs for an elegant finish.