You will never make ham another way after making this Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham! Spiral sliced ham is steamed to perfection with a sweet honey sauce, keeping this ham full of flavor and moisture.
If you have lived long, you have probably experienced dried out ham.
My sweet mother in law cooks her ham every year for 6-10 hours, and the delicious honey baked ham she pays a small fortune for, ends up dry, tough, and chewy. Not exactly the ham you want for a Holiday centerpiece.
If you want to avoid dried out ham and instead have a Honey Baked Ham that is full of flavor and moisture, this Instant Pot Ham recipe is for you!
Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham
Because the Instant Pot cooks by trapping all the steam and moisture inside the pressure cooker, it creates a perfect steamy environment to just warm the ham through without drying out the meat.
And this Honey Baked Ham is ready in less than 30 minutes!!
That means you don’t have to wake up early to prepare your holiday meal, or rush home from church to get the ham in the oven. It also keeps the heat out of the kitchen–which in the south, I can attest to that is never a bad thing!
Ingredients for Honey Baked Ham
- Spiral cut ham
- as small as you like or as large as your Instant Pot will hold
- 6 quart Instant Pot will hold approximately a 5 to 6 pound ham.
- 8 quart Instant Pot will hold approximately a 7-8 pound ham.
- Pineapple Juice
- Pineapple juice will work to not only flavor the ham, but keep the ham extra juicy.
- Honey
- Honey is essential for a honey baked ham.
- Brown Sugar
- Just a tiny bit of brown sugar helps to add depth to the ham.
- Feel free to omit if staying away from refined sugar.
- Optional Spices
- Honey Baked Ham typically have cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, I personally leave these out as I feel the overpower the ham, but feel free to add in if desired.
How to Cook Ham in the Instant Pot
The process for cooking a Honey Baked Ham in the Pressure Cooker is INCREDIBLY easy and FAST!!!!
Step One: Prepare Instant Pot
- Place trivet inside inner pot of pressure cooker.
- Pour in 1 cup water.
- Place foil sling on trivet–this will help you remove ham after it has finished cooking.
Step Two: Prepare Ham Glaze
- Whisk together pineapple juice, honey and brown sugar.
Step Three: Prepare Ham
- Place ham on large sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil.
- Fold up sides of foil, to make a bowl like shape around the ham.
- Gently separate slices of spiral ham, so glaze can penetrate the ham slices.
- Pour glaze over ham and securely wrap foil around ham.
Step Four: Pressure Cook Ham
- Place ham on trivet.
- Secure foil sling around ham, if using.
- Pressure Cook on High for 2 minutes per pound.
- Once cook time has elapsed, let rest for 5 minutes then do a quick release.
- You can let the ham rest longer and can even do an immediate quick release if desired, but by letting the ham rest for a bit, it keeps the ham slices super tender.
Step Five: Reduce Glaze (optional)
I find that this ham is perfectly flavored and sweet enough to serve immediately. The ham is full of pineapple and honey flavor and is super delicious. If you would like that sticky glaze that Honey Baked Ham is known for, you can reduce the juices rendered from cooking right in the pressure cooker.
- After pressure is released, remove your ham from the Instant Pot and place on a large platter or bowl, still sealed in the foil.
- Remove trivet from inside pressure cooker and pour out the water used to cook the honey baked ham.
- Place the inner pot back inside the pressure cooker and turn the pressure cooker to Saute.
- Gently peel back the foil slightly from the cooked Ham.
- Remove the Ham from the foil, leaving the liquid inside the foil packet.
- Pour the rendered cooking liquid into the pressure cooker.
- Whisk well, and cook until the glaze is reduced by half, about 3-4 minutes.
- Pour the thickened glaze over the ham.
How long do you cook ham in the Instant Pot?
- Spiral Sliced ham is already precooked so you only need to warm the ham through.
- Cook your ham for 2 minutes per pound on high pressure. This will warm the ham through perfectly and keep the ham from drying out.
- Hit manual button and use +/- buttons to adjust time. Be sure your pressure cooker is set to HIGH pressure.
- 3 pound ham: 6 minutes (1 recipe for glaze)
- 4 pound ham: 8 minutes (1 recipe for glaze)
- 5 pound ham: 10 minutes (1 recipe for glaze)
- 6 pound ham: 12 minutes (Double Recipe for Glaze)
- 7 pound ham: 14 minutes (Double Recipe for Glaze)
- 8 pound ham: 16 minutes (Double Recipe for Glaze)
A Few Important Tips for Pressure Cooker Ham
- This Honey Glaze recipe is for a 3-5 pound ham. If making a larger ham, just double the recipe–extra glaze is NEVER a bad thing!
- If you would like to add spices to your Honey Ham Glaze, use 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/8 teaspoon cloves.
- Feel free to omit brown sugar for a refined sugar free Honey Ham–and trust me, I have done this many times with great results in flavor.
- If you don’t like Honey, use Maple Syrup–a Maple Glazed Ham is always delicious.
- If you don’t want to use foil, parchment paper will work, it is just a bit trickier to seal the juices in the pouch. You can also place the ham in a large oven safe bowl that fits on the trivet of the pressure cooker.
- It is important to seal the ham well in foil, parchment paper, or in a bowl to keep the ham flavored well and to prevent a burn warning.
- You can use bone in or boneless spiral sliced ham for this recipe. I prefer boneless for easier serving, but either is fine!
More Instant Pot Recipes:
- Instant Pot Whole Chicken
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast
- Instant Pot Pot Roast
- Instant Pot Pork and Sauerkraut
Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham Recipe
I would love to know how you enjoy this recipe! Be sure to leave a comment and let me know. Or snap a picture and tag @amindfullmom on Instagram and hashtag it #amindfullmom
Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham
Ingredients
- 3-5 pound spiral sliced ham
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham
- Place trivet inside inner pot of pressure cooker. Pour in 1 cup water. Place foil sling on trivet–this will help you remove ham after it has finished cooking.
- Prepare glaze by whisking together pineapple juice, honey and brown sugar.
- Place ham on large sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil. Fold up sides of foil, to make a bowl like shape around the ham. Gently separate slices of spiral ham, so glaze can penetrate the ham slices. Pour glaze over ham and securely wrap foil around ham. Place ham on trivet inside pressure cooker. Secure foil sling around ham, if using.
- Pressure Cook on High for 2 minutes per pound. Once cook time has elapsed, let rest for 5 minutes then do a quick release. You can let the ham rest longer and can even do an immediate quick release if desired, but by letting the ham rest for a bit, it keeps the ham slices super tender.
Honey Ham Glaze Reduction (optional)
- After pressure is released, remove your ham from the Instant Pot and place on a large platter or bowl, still sealed in the foil. Remove trivet from inside pressure cooker and pour out the water used to cook the honey baked ham. Place the inner pot back inside the pressure cooker and turn the pressure cooker to Saute.
- Gently peel back the foil slightly from the cooked Ham. Remove the Ham from the foil, leaving the liquid inside the foil packet. Pour the rendered cooking liquid into the pressure cooker.
- Whisk liquid constantly until thickened and reduced--about 3-5 minutes. Pour over sliced ham.
Notes
- This Honey Glaze recipe is for a 4-5 pound ham. If making a larger ham, just double the recipe.
- If you would like to add spices to your Honey Ham Glaze, use 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/8 teaspoon cloves.
- Feel free to omit brown sugar for a refined sugar free Honey Ham.
- If you don't like Honey, use Maple Syrup.
- If you don't want to use foil, parchment paper will work, it is just a bit trickier to seal the juices in the pouch. You can also place the ham in a large oven safe bowl that fits on the trivet of the pressure cooker.
- It is important to seal the ham well in foil, parchment paper, or in a bowl to keep the ham flavored well and to prevent a burn warning.
To Make Instant Pot Ham, You May Need
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This seriously might be the best ham recipe I’ve ever tried. SO JUICY and soooo good.
That is EXACTLY what my family says!
Is the ham cooked form frozen or thawed?
This is for a thawed ham. I have not tried this recipe from frozen yet. My best estimate would be to add 5 minutes per pound. Normally for full cuts of meats like roasts, I add 10 minutes per pound when frozen, but since ham is already pre-cooked I would think 5 minutes would be sufficient without drying it out. If you try it let us know how it works out.
What a fun dinner idea. I know my family will love this.
Just came across this recipe and it sounds delicious, however, my
Son is allergic to pineapple… is there an alternate you would recommend?
Hi Ashley! You can certainly use another ingredient in place of the pineapple. For this Honey Baked Ham, apple juice or apple cider would make great substitutes.
Is this for a precooked ham or raw? I have a raw bone in ham from butcher… anything I would do different?
Hi Ashley, this is for a precooked spiral ham. Raw ham is not something I have worked with in the past. Sorry I can not help more. I can tell you that I cook raw pork loins for 20 minutes per pound and pork butts for 18 minutes per pound.
Question?
Will cooking method still apply if I have a whole ham and NOT a spiral cut ham?
As long as it is pre-cooked (99% of all hams bought in US are) and will fit, you can follow same directions. However, if your ham is unsliced, I would cook for 3 minutes per pound.
I have a whole ham not a spirial. Does the same recipe apply????
Hi Paul, I find unsliced hams do better cooking for 3 minutes per pound.
Amazing! Definite hit with the family- will be making this again very soon!
Thank you for sharing
YAY!!! I hope you enjoy again and again.
I put in a seven pound ham for 20 minutes on high and was cold in the middle
Hi Morgan. A few things to help me trouble shoot for you–did you use a bone-in or boneless ham? And was it spiral sliced or a picnic ham? This recipe is for a spiral ham, so a different cut of meat would make a huge difference. Also be sure to use cold water in the bottom of your Instant Pot.
First: Besides the great Instant Pot recipes, I love that at the top I can choose to go straight to the recipe for when I’m in a hurry.
Second: Where do you find a 3-5 lb spiral cut ham? Smallest I could find was an 9 lb. Will that fit into the Instant Pot?
Hi Molly! I am so glad you like the layout of the site. If you have a hard time finding a smaller ham, a 7-9 pound ham will work. You will need to forgo the rack to make it fit though. For this, I would pour 1-2 cups pineapple juice in your inner pot of your pressure cooker, add the ham and then drizzle the honey and brown sugar over the ham. Cook for 2 minutes per pound (if sprial sliced, 3 minutes per pound if not sliced). I can fit a 9 pound ham into my 8 quart pressure cooker, but the max size I can do in my 6 quart is a 7 1/2 pound. Hope that helps. (And typically the smaller hams are known as a quarter hams–and can be hard to find at times!)
Thanks
My instant pot did not come with a trivet, is there something I can do to make the recipe work?
Hi Elizabeth! If you have a metal steamer basket and I have even heard some people use stainless steel cookie cutters to “lift” up their food. Another idea is to use 1-2 cups pineapple juice (1 cup for 6 quart IP, 2 cups for 8 quart Ip) and place your ham directly in the pressure cooker (not wrapped with foil). Drizzle with honey and brown sugar and cook as directed. This works great with larger hams as well.
Honey baked ham is SO good. Thank you for the recipe!
WAHOO!!! I am so glad you enjoyed Tayrn!
I’m made this past weekend, and everyone devoured it!
I am so glad you enjoyed Shadi!
Hi there. I’m very excited to try this recipe for Easter this weekend, however I have a 9 lb ham that won’t fit in my instant pot. Can I cut 1/3 of the ham off prior to putting it into the instant pot? Thank you!
Hi Casey! You absolutely can cut part of your ham off. However, you MAY be able to fit your ham in and use this method. Forgo the rack and pour 1-2 cups pineapple juice in your inner pot of your pressure cooker, add the ham and then drizzle the honey and brown sugar over the ham. Cook for 2 minutes per pound (if sprial sliced, 3 minutes per pound if not sliced). I can fit a 9 pound ham into my 8 quart pressure cooker, but the max size I can do in my 6 quart is a 7 1/2 pound.
I have 12 lb. Ham how much total time to get to pressure and actually cook?
Hi Pam, I am not sure a 12 pound ham will fit, I have an 8 quart and that is too large for my pressure cooker. If it will you would need 2 minutes per pound…so that would be 24 minutes. Plus I would think 15 minutes to come to pressure.
I have the 10 qt so I will plan on 15 for pressure and 24 cooking time and do I need to let rest before release pressure. 1st time can u tell…LOL
Oh good Pam!! I would let pressure release for at least 10 minutes, 20 is best. Hope you enjoy!!
My Ham is too big for my Instapot. Can I cut it off the bone before putting it in the Instapot?
Hi Christi,
I have not tried cutting the ham off the bone before, I assume that would work, but could be tedious and if your ham then is in more than one piece after being cut off bone, it may change the cook time. This may be a time I say the oven is best, as I can’t attest to how this will turn out. Sorry.
I have two 4 pound boneless hams. I have an 8 quart IP. Should I fit them both into the IP at the same for 8 minutes on manual pressure? Or should I put them in separately for 8 minutes? Would you suggest cutting the ham to create the slits in the ham for the glaze before placing it in the IP? Thanks for your help!
Hi Destiny! I would cut slits in both hams to let the glaze penetrate personally. And if you can fit both in your IP, I would cook together…and 8 minutes total time is perfect!! You just calculate time based on largest cut of meat. I hope you enjoy and Happy Easter.
If I don’t use the glaze will my ham be dry? My family don’t like the glaze.
Hi Sandra, I would just use the pineapple juice instead.
Hi. I’m new at this. You said above that this is a “steam” ham, but then you said to “pressure cook” on high. Are they the same thing ?? 😕
Hi Judy, pressure cookers cook on a moist environment, hence me saying steam. You will use your pressure cooker button.
This was by far the best ham I’ve ever had. My family couldn’t get over how good it was.
Vanessa, I am so happy hear that your family enjoyed so much.thank you for taking the time to comment.
Did this with a regular ham that I sliced 3/4 of the way through as the only spiral hams I could find were MASSIVE. According to the hubby it “just tastes like ham”. He wasn’t wowed. I was hoping for a reactions people give after you bring them a ham from the Honey Ham store but alas, no such luck. Probably won’t bother again.
I am sorry that this did not WOW you. It can be really hard to slice a ham thin enough to replicate the honey baked ham experience–that is why I love the pre-sliced hams. However, this still should impart great flavor to unsliced or hand-sliced hams.
I used your recipe because it sounded so wonderful.. However, I had a frozen bone in precooked ham 6 lb. I followed all your directions and it turned out really great. Husband and son loved it. I took your suggestion and cooked it 7 minutes per lb. So I cooked the 1st time for 40 min and let pressure come down 15 minutes. Checked the ham was still pretty cold so I cooked again for 35 min and let pressure come down 15 minutes. I took the ham out and placed in oven proof dish, made the glaze and poured over ham, placed in oven under broil and waited till it started to bubble all over. Turned out great. Thank you for a delicious recipe.
I am so glad you enjoyed! Sorry the timing was off for your frozen ham. If it was not pre-sliced, that could be why the extra time was needed. Regardless, I am glad you were able to enjoy it once cooked.
I put my 5lb ham in for 12 minutes and it still wasn’t ready when I took it out. I had everything ready since it was going to cook so quickly and then had to try and keep the rest of the sides warm while I put it back in!
Hi Greg. I am so sorry the ham did not cook for you fully in the allotted time. If your ham was UNSLICED, this could account for that issue.