Instant Pot Spiral Ham Recipe

Whether you are cooking ham for the next Holiday or want to make it for Sunday lunch, this easy instant pot ham is a great idea. You can’t go wrong with this recipe because it is so simple and easy.

We showed you how to make a Crockpot Spiral Ham recipe and now we have a great option for the pressure cooker. It is just as easy but takes less time for those days you need the ham ready fast.

Why We Love This Spiral Ham Recipe

Ham is not a meat that we fix through out the year. It is usually prepared during the holiday season. It pairs well with any meat that we are making.

Rather is a turkey on Thanksgiving or Prime Rib on Christmas. I always like to have ham as another option. Ham goes with any of the sides that I am already preparing. Ham is great leftover too. Use your leftovers to make this Ham Salad Recipe.

We love that each bite is incredibly tender and loaded with flavor. The combination of pineapple and honey makes the ham so amazing. You may also love more Instant Pot Thanksgiving Recipes.

Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

We love to do a variation for the spiral ham. Try some of our favorites:

• Mustard – Add Dijon mustard and rub on the ham before the brown sugar.
• Change Juice – Substitute apple juice for pineapple juice. Orange juice is good too.
• Add Pineapple – Try adding pineapple to the ham. Either crushed or tidbits work great.
• Spices – Add in some extra spices like cinnamon, cloves or a little nutmeg to your glaze.
• Sweetener – You can use Maple Syrup instead of Honey. Use what you have on hand.

How to Make Instant Pot Spiral Ham

It is so easy to prepare your pre-cooked ham for the Instant Pot. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare.

Step 1 – Place the trivet with the handles in an instant pot. We used the 8 quart size pressure cooker. Add the water to the instant pot.

Step 2 – Place a large piece of foil on the counter. Put the spiral cut ham in the middle of the foil and fold the sides up so that it makes a bowl for the ham.

Step 3 – Add the brown sugar all over the ham and rub it in.

Step 4 – Now, it is time for the maple syrup or honey (whichever you decide to use) and the pineapple juice. Pour this all over the top of the ham being careful that it stays in the foil bowl you made.

Step 5 – Once the pineapple mixture is on the ham, secure the foil warp around the ham so the mixture stays inside the foil.

Step 6 – Finally, put the ham wrapped in the foil in the pressure cooker on top of the trivet.

• Step 8 – Make sure to seal the instant pot and then pressure cook.

How Long to Cook Spiral Ham in the Instant Pot?

The ham needs to cook on high pressure for 2 minutes per pound of ham. Also, add 10 minutes to the total time because of the foil. For example, I cooked a 7 pound ham and cooked it for 24 minutes.

Allow the pressure to naturally release for at least 10 minutes and then pressure release after this time. Make sure that the ham reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F by check with a meat thermometer.

Finally, remove the ham from the instant pot and slice.  Keep in mind the foil will be hot. Enjoy! 

Expert Tips

• Covering Ham – I used heavy-duty aluminum foil around the ham so the extra 10 minutes was necessary. If you use regular foil, add only 5 minutes to the cooking time instead of 10 minutes.  
• Ham Glaze – You may need to increase your glaze amount depending on how big you ham is.
• Instant Pot Recommendation – We love this Aura 6-quart Instant Pot. I can brown my meat or use it as a crock pot. This is a great recipe to try out your instant pot. It will become your new way of making your spiral ham.

How to Thicken the Glaze

If you would like to thicken your glaze here are some steps

• Step 1 – Remove the ham from the Instant Pot.
• Step 2 – Turn the instant pot on to the sauté (or browning) setting.
• Step 3 – In a small bowl whisk together ½ cup cold water and 2 tablespoons corn starch.
• Step 4 – Whisk into the instant pot and simmer until thicken.
• Step 5 – Then brush on the ham slices.

What to Serve with Instant Pot Ham

This Pressure Cooker Ham is perfect to serve during the week or for your favorite holiday dinner. Here are some of our favorite sides dishes:

• Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
• German Potato Salad
• Brown Sugar Carrots Pressure Cooker recipe
• Green Bean Casserole
• Check out Best Side Dishes for Ham for more delicious ideas.

Any of these would be delicious. Don’t forget the dinner rolls. You can even make a bite size ham sandwiches. Just keep it simple.

What to do with Leftover Ham?

I love to cook once and eat twice. It saves a lot of time and helps to give my family delicious meals. Plus, it saves money using leftovers but everyone thinks they are eating something new. It is a win all around!

There are many ways to use leftover ham and these are some of our favorites.

• Ham and Bean Soup
• Slow Cooker Ham and Cabbage
• 15 Bean Soup with Ham
• Ham and Potato Soup Crockpot recipe
• My family loves to make ham and cheese omelets with the leftover ham. Dice in bite size pieces. Toss in your favorite veggies and you have a complete breakfast.

Frequently Asked Questions