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.
Serve this Instant Pot Ham with Mashed Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, and an Instant Pot Cheesecake for a show-stopping meal.
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 an hour!!
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 the inner pot of pressure cooker.
- Pour in 1 cup of water. Or 1.5 cups for an 8-quart Instant Pot.
- 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 a 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 the trivet.
- Secure foil sling around ham, if using.
- Pressure Cook on High for 2 minutes per pound. ADD 10 Minutes to the total time if the ham is wrapped in foil.
- Once cook time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes then do a quick release.
- Check internal temperature. You want your ham to be at 145 degrees for serving. Remember the ham has already been fully cooked, we are just warming!
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 it on a large platter or bowl, still sealed in the foil.
- Remove trivet from the 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.
- Mix together 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water and whisk into cooking liquid.
- 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 a 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 plus 10 Minutes to the total time to account for foil. This will warm the ham through perfectly and keep the ham from drying out.
- Hit manual button and use +/- buttons to adjust the time. Be sure your pressure cooker is set to HIGH pressure.
- 3-pound ham: use 1 recipe for glaze and cook for 6 minutes + 10 minutes to account for foil (or 16 total minutes)
- 4-pound ham: use 1 recipe for glaze and cook for 8 minutes + 10 minutes to account for foil (or 18 minutes)
- 5-pound ham: use 1 recipe for glaze and cook for 10 minutes + 10 minutes to account for foil (or 20 minutes)
- 6-pound ham: double the recipe for the glaze and cook for 12 minutes + 10 minutes to account for foil (or 22 minutes)
- 7-pound ham: double the recipe for the glaze and cook for 14 minutes + 10 minutes to account for foil (or 24 minutes)
- 8-pound ham: double the recipe for the glaze and cook for 16 minutes+ 10 minutes to account for foil (or 26 minutes )
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 ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ⅛ teaspoon cloves.
- Feel free to omit brown sugar for 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.
- 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
Ingredients
- 3-5 pound spiral sliced ham
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch optional
Instructions
Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham
- Place trivet inside the inner pot of the pressure cooker. Pour in 1 and ½ cups cold 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 plus 10 minutes to account for the foil. (Only add 5 minutes if using thin foil.) Once cook time has elapsed, let rest for at least 15 minutes before releasing pressure. Check the internal temperature to be sure the ham is warmed to 135-150 degrees. If not, cook for an additional 3-5 minutes on high pressure.
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.
- Mix together 1 tablespoon cornstarch with ¼ cup water and whisk into cooking liquid. Whisk liquid constantly until thickened and reduced--about 3-5 minutes. Pour over sliced ham.
Equipment Needed
Notes
- This recipe has been updated to account for using heavy duty foil to cook the ham. To reach 145 degrees for serving, if your foil is not thin, you will need an additional 10 minutes added to the total cook time to account for the foil.
- If using thin foil, do not add the additional 10 minutes to the cook time, instead add 3-5 minutes.
- 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 ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ⅛ teaspoon cloves.
- Feel free to omit brown sugar for a refined sugar free Honey Ham or to use maple syrup in place of the honey.
- Sweet and Tangy Glaze Option: Instead of the honey glaze, mix together ⅓ cup pineapple juice, ¼ cup apricot preserves, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon prepared Horseradish, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and ⅛ teaspoon each of ground cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Pour over ham before wrapping in foil.
- It is important to seal the ham well in foil to keep the ham flavored well and to prevent a burn warning.
- This recipe is for a pre-sliced, pre-cooked ham that you purchase at your grocery store.
- Cooking Directions:
- 3 pound ham: use 1 recipe for glaze and cook for 6 minutes + 10 minutes to account for foil (or 16 total minutes)
- 4 pound ham: use 1 recipe for glaze and cook for 8 minutes + 10 minutes to account for foil (or 18 minutes)
- 5 pound ham: use 1 recipe for glaze and cook for 10 minutes + 10 minutes to account for foil (or 20 minutes)
- 6 pound ham: double the recipe for the glaze and cook for 12 minutes + 10 minutes to account for foil (or 22 minutes)
- 7 pound ham: double the recipe for the glaze and cook for 14 minutes + 10 minutes to account for foil (or 24 minutes)
- 8 pound ham: double the recipe for the glaze and cook for 16 minutes+ 10 minutes to account for foil (or 26 minutes)
Nutrition
Julie zub
What if my ham isn’t spiraled? Do I cut cut slices in it myself?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Julie! If you want the glaze to drip into the ham, yes, slicing would be ideal, but it is not necessary. If not sliced, wrap in foil with the glaze and cook for 3 minutes per pound, adding 10 minutes to account for the foil. Enjoy.
Betty Morgret
I must be blind i never did see how much honey or brown sugar to use or even the pineapple juice.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Betty! It is in the recipe card. But for quick reference, 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 1/3 cup honey, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Enjoy!
Katie
I did not see on the directions do we do a quick release or natural release I have a 5 pound ham?
Kristen Chidsey
Natural pressure release for at least 15 minutes Katie 🙂 Enjoy!
Maria
Do you have a recommended substitute for the Pineapple juice, I'm allergic. Thank you
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Maria. You can use apple juice, orange juice, or even chicken stock 🙂
Michelle
I have a whole pineapple but not canned pineapple juice. Finely cut up the pineapple or do you suggest an alternative?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Michelle. I would cut up the pineapple and add a bit of water or stock for moisture. Enjoy!
Kevin b
Do not use fresh pineapple! It will wreck your ham! Fresh pineapple has an enzyme that will turn it to Kush. Canned pineapple only
Stephanie
Amazing first time cooking Thanksgiving Dinner and this made life so much easier. Nice, simple quick and edible:-) I'm sure I'll be hosting holiday dinners for now on!! Thank you so much for sharing. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so happy to hear this Stephanie! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Mel L.
Instead of foil could you use an oven bag?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Mel! An oven bag is not safe for the instant pot. If you don't want to use foil, you can wrap in parchment paper or place the ham in a stainless steel pot and cook using pot in pot method.
Melissa
How long does it take to come to pressure? Trying to figure out timing from start to finish.
Thanks
Melissa
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Melissa. In my recipe card, I have stated pressure time and added that to the total time to help you plan. The pressure time is for 10 minutes to come to pressure plus 15 minutes to release. So plan on an additional 25 minutes to your cook time. I hope that helps and have a wonderful Thanksgiving 🙂
Melissa
Hi! I’m new to this whole Instant Pot thing. Can you cook the carrots in with the ham?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Melissa! You can certainly add carrots to the water below the trivet, but the carrots will cook a lot faster than the ham, so they would likely be overcooked.
Melissa
Thank you! I think I will just brown sugar them separately 😊 It’s in the ‘pot’ right now!!!
Christine Ton
If placing without trivet, how do you use the foil method? Do you still out the water at the bottom then do glaze Inside foil ?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Christine, If you are not using the trivet, I would not recommend using foil. Instead, I would pour 1-2 cups of pineapple juice into the bottom of the inner pot and then place the ham in the instant pot. Prepare the glaze as directed and VERY carefully pour into over top of the ham, trying to not let the honey hit the bottom of the inner pot (which can cause a burn notice). Cook for 2 minute per pound with a 15 minute release. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!
Michelle
I just checked my hams weight and it’s 8lbs, I have a 6 quart instant pot. Do you think I can still pull off cooking my ham in it? Thank you in advance 🙂
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Michelle! I would place the ham in your Instant pot now in package to see if it will fit. 🤞 Have a wonderful Thanksgiving
JD
Could you use agave nectar instead of honey?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi JD. I imagine it would work great. I have used maple syrup with great success.
Carrie
How long would you cook a spiral bone-in ham?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Carrie! I would still cook for 2 minutes per pound, adding 10 minutes if wrapping in foil.
Maddie
I can’t wait to try this! After cooking, how long do you natural release??
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Maddie! You need to let pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes. Enjoy!
James w
This sounds amazing. My first Thanksgiving with wife’s family and they usually only do turkey. So I figured I’d give this a try.
Question do you have cook times if the ham is frozen?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi James! This will make a nice addition to Thanksgiving dinner. I do recommend thawing your ham as frozen ham does not tend to cook evenly. If you want to try cooking from frozen I would cook for 4 minutes per pound, anticipating you may need to add time if not cooked through.
James W
Thank you. I will proceed with thawing first. I can’t wait to make a good impression on our first thanksgiving together.
Kristen Chidsey
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving James!
Michelle
I just have to say this is the most adorable comment ever! I hope you have an amazing thanksgiving and enjoy your new family 🙂
Angelina D
This sounds like an amazing recipe. Thanks so much! I can’t wait to try it. Happy Thanksgiving all!
Kristen Chidsey
Happy Thanksgiving to you Angelina!
Charmaine
Even the daughter who doesn’t like ham liked it! A family winner.
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing that Charmaine! Thanks for taking the time to share your review.
Sharon
My daughters is allergic to pineapple, is there another fruit or juice I could substitute like maybe apple juice that would work with the other ingredients?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Sharon, apple juice will work, but apple cider would be better.
Tessa Rose
Hi! I’m exited to try this. If the spiral sliced ham comes with a glaze packet, would it be okay to use that instead? SO isn’t into pineapple. Or would it be better to cook the ham with some brown sugar, and do the final glaze in the oven after cooking in the IP? Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Tessa. You can certainly use the glaze if wrapped well in foil and will flavor well. However, if you want a sticky reduced glaze, I would cook the ham with a bit if water in the foil and then glaze with the packet afterwards.
M4
How much longer do you cook it if it’s an uncooked ham?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi there! I do not have experience with an uncooked, raw ham. They are not easily found. Do you mean a ham that is not spiral cut but still cured?
Mama T
I made this for my daughter and her children for Easter. We did not have a spiral sliced ham as they were scarce, but I improvised by slicing the bone-in ham myself before baking. To say it was a huge success was an understatement! A family who “does not do leftovers” was eating this ham for days afterwards! I believe that speaks volumes in regards to how good this recipe is. It is definitely going into my recipe box for future use! Thanks for sharing!!!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing how much your family enjoyed. And way to improvise given the circumstances.