Prepare to transform your holiday meal traditions with the ultimate guide to cooking a succulent **Instant Pot Bone-in Ham**. Imagine a ham so incredibly juicy and bursting with flavor, ready in a fraction of the time it typically takes in a conventional oven. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a game-changer, freeing up precious oven space and simplifying your festive cooking experience. Once you discover the magic of making a ham in your Instant Pot, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it!

Instant Pot Bone-In Ham: The Ultimate Holiday Centerpiece

For many American households, ham and turkey are cherished once-or-twice-a-year culinary events, typically reserved for major holidays like Easter and Christmas. While deli meats and ground versions might grace our tables more often, the grand spectacle of a whole ham or turkey remains a special occasion. This tradition often means hours of oven time, meticulous basting, and the inevitable struggle for oven real estate when preparing an elaborate holiday feast.

Like many home cooks, I used to dedicate my oven for hours to prepare two hams annually – one for Easter and one for Christmas. This always presented a challenge, as the oven was completely occupied, making it inconvenient to bake side dishes and casseroles simultaneously. The kitchen became a logistical puzzle, with dishes waiting their turn, often leading to timing stress.

Then came the Instant Pot, and my holiday cooking world was forever changed. Intrigued by its promise of speed and efficiency, I decided to test its capability with a bone-in ham. The result was nothing short of astonishing: a ham that was incredibly moist, tender, and infused with rich flavors. From that moment on, my oven was liberated for all the other delicious accompaniments, and the Instant Pot became my go-to for cooking ham. Surprisingly, the ham cooked faster than some of my slower oven-baked casseroles, streamlining my holiday meal preparation like never before.

Embracing the Instant Pot has truly revolutionized my approach to cooking time-intensive meats and dishes. It dramatically cuts down on cook times, allowing me to prepare a wider variety of meals more frequently without the usual time commitment. The culinary possibilities have expanded, and our family now enjoys a greater diversity of home-cooked meals, all thanks to this versatile appliance.

Why the Instant Pot is Perfect for Bone-in Ham

The Instant Pot excels at cooking bone-in ham for several compelling reasons. Firstly, the pressure cooking method locks in moisture, resulting in a ham that is consistently juicy and tender from edge to bone. Unlike oven roasting, which can sometimes lead to dry spots, the Instant Pot creates a steamy, high-pressure environment that ensures even cooking and unparalleled tenderness. Secondly, speed is a huge advantage. This Instant Pot Bone-in Ham recipe is typically completed in about an hour from start to finish. This includes approximately 13 minutes for the pot to come to pressure, 15 to 25 minutes of active cook time (depending on the ham’s thickness and size), and a crucial 25 minutes of natural pressure release (NPR).

This efficient cooking process means you can have a magnificent centerpiece on your table without hours of labor. It’s always a good idea to factor in a little extra time, perhaps an additional 10-15 minutes, in case you need to extend the cook time slightly for a larger ham or adjust for altitude. Having the ham finished first allows you to focus on the rest of your meal, serving everything hot and fresh.

Choosing the Right Ham for Your Instant Pot

For this recipe, I highly recommend using a **bone-in, uncut ham**. The bone not only adds incredible depth of flavor to the cooking liquid, which later becomes a spectacular glaze or gravy, but it also helps the ham retain more moisture during the cooking process. An uncut ham, sometimes labeled as a “shank portion” or “butt portion,” allows for better moisture retention compared to pre-sliced or spiral-cut varieties.

While spiral-cut hams are convenient, they tend to dry out more easily in a pressure cooker due to their exposed surfaces. If you do opt for a spiral-cut ham, it’s essential to drastically reduce the cook time to prevent it from becoming dry (see the recipe card below for specific spiral-cut ham cooking instructions).

Crafting the Perfect Holiday Flavor Profile

The secret to this pressure cooker ham’s exceptional “holiday flavor” lies in a simple yet powerful combination of ingredients. Cooking the ham in a bath of pineapple juice not only tenderizes the meat but also infuses it with a delicate sweetness and tropical tang that pairs perfectly with savory ham. The addition of aromatic ground cloves and pungent dry mustard elevates the flavor, creating that unmistakable festive essence that awakens the palate. These spices mingle beautifully with the pineapple, creating a flavorful liquid that transforms into an outstanding glaze and gravy after cooking.

Just before sealing the lid, a generous pour of golden honey over the Instant Pot ham adds another layer of sweetness and helps create a beautiful, subtly caramelized exterior if you choose to finish it under the broiler. This simple step contributes significantly to the ham’s overall richness and appeal.

The result of this careful preparation is a ham that is truly spectacular: wonderfully juicy, incredibly flavorful, and perfectly ready for carving. Whether it’s the centerpiece of your holiday spread or a special weekend meal, this pressure cooker ham promises to impress. Enjoy every delicious bite!

Instant Pot Ham: Step-by-Step Perfection

Achieving the perfect Instant Pot ham is simple when you follow these clear steps:

1. Prepare the Liquid: Pour the cans of pineapple chunks and their juice into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. This forms the flavorful base for your ham.
2. Add the Spices: Stir in the ground cloves and dry mustard. These spices are key to the ham’s signature holiday flavor. Mix thoroughly to ensure they are well distributed.
3. Position the Ham: Carefully place your bone-in ham on a trivet inside the pot, ensuring the fat side is facing up. A silicone steamer with handles works wonderfully for easy removal. If your ham is too large to fit comfortably, you might need to trim a piece off. Ensure the ham sits below the pot’s maximum fill line so the lid can seal properly. For reference, an 8-9 lb ham usually fits in an 8-quart Instant Pot, while a 6-7 lb ham fits in a 6-quart model.
4. Add the Sweetness: Drizzle the honey evenly over the ham. This adds a beautiful sheen and contributes to the glaze.
5. Seal and Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the steam release knob to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” button and choose “High Pressure.”
6. Determine Cook Time: The cooking time depends on the ham’s weight and thickness.
   • 3-5 pounds (uncut, bone-in): Cook for 12 minutes on High Pressure, followed by a 25-minute Natural Pressure Release (NPR).
   • 6-7 pounds (uncut, bone-in): Cook for 17 minutes on High Pressure, followed by a 25-minute NPR.
   • 8-9 pounds (uncut, bone-in): Cook for 22 minutes on High Pressure, followed by a 25-minute NPR.
   • For a Spiral-Cut Ham: Cook for only 3 minutes on High Pressure, followed by a 15-minute NPR.
7. Natural Pressure Release (NPR): Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 25 minutes. This gradual release helps the ham stay moist and prevents it from seizing up. After 25 minutes, carefully manually release any remaining pressure by turning the steam release knob to “Venting.”
8. Check Temperature: Once the float valve drops, open the lid and take the internal temperature of the ham. A fully cooked ham only needs reheating, so a temperature of 100°-115°F (38°-46°C) is generally sufficient. If the ham is below 85°F (29°C), reseal the lid and pressure cook for another 3 minutes with a 10-minute NPR.
9. Remove Ham: Carefully transfer the cooked ham to a baking sheet.
10. Prepare the Glaze/Gravy: Ladle the delicious cooking liquid from the Instant Pot into a fat separator, straining out the pineapple chunks. Discard any excess fat, then return the defatted liquid and pineapple chunks to the pot.
11. Thicken the Sauce: Turn on the Sauté setting (Low or Less temperature). Mix half of the brown sugar into the liquid. Taste and adjust for sweetness, mustard, or clove flavor as desired. In a small bowl, whisk together the corn starch and the reserved ¼ cup of pineapple juice to create a smooth slurry. Add this slurry to the simmering liquid in the Instant Pot, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Turn off the pot.

The Finishing Touch: Glazing and Caramelizing Your Ham

While the Instant Pot delivers incredible flavor and tenderness, a quick trip under the broiler can give your ham that irresistible caramelized crust. This step is entirely optional but highly recommended for an extra layer of texture and visual appeal.

1. Preheat Broiler: Turn on your oven’s broiler to 425°F (220°C).
2. Glaze and Broil: Pour some of the thickened glaze generously over the ham, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Place the baking sheet with the ham under the preheated broiler. Keep a very close eye on it, as the caramelization process happens quickly. Broil for just a few minutes, rotating as needed, until the glaze bubbles and turns golden brown. Be vigilant to prevent burning!
3. Serve: Once beautifully caramelized, remove the ham from the oven and transfer it to a serving platter. Carve and serve immediately with the remaining warm glaze on the side as a rich, flavorful gravy.

Pro Tips and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Tips for Success:

• Don’t Rush NPR: Natural Pressure Release is crucial for a tender, juicy ham. Resisting the urge to quick release immediately helps prevent the meat from becoming tough.
• Seasoning Adjustments: Taste your glaze before thickening. You can add more honey, brown sugar, or even a dash of apple cider vinegar for extra zing.
• Altitude Adjustments: If you live at 3000 feet (914 meters) or higher, you may need to increase the cook time by 5-10 minutes per pound to ensure proper reheating.
• Fat Separator: A fat separator is a simple tool that makes creating a perfect, non-greasy gravy effortless.

FAQ:

Can I use a boneless ham in the Instant Pot?

Yes, you can, but the cook time will be significantly less. Boneless hams tend to dry out more quickly. I recommend a cook time of 10-15 minutes for a boneless ham, followed by a 10-minute NPR, depending on its size. Always check the internal temperature.

What if my ham is too large for my Instant Pot?

If your bone-in ham doesn’t fit, you can carefully cut it into two or three smaller pieces. Place the largest piece on the trivet and arrange the smaller pieces around it. Note that cutting the ham might slightly reduce the overall cook time as the pieces are smaller.

Can I substitute whole cloves for ground cloves?

Absolutely! If you prefer a milder clove flavor, use 1 teaspoon of whole cloves instead of ½ teaspoon ground. You can either place them directly in the liquid or stud them into the ham before cooking. Just remember to strain them out before making the glaze.

How should I store leftover ham?

Store any leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 2-3 months.

How can I use leftover ham?

Leftover ham is incredibly versatile! Use it for sandwiches, quesadillas, omelets, ham and bean soup, split pea soup, ham salads, quiches, or add it to breakfast scrambles and casseroles. The ham bone can also be used to make a flavorful stock.

Serving Suggestions for Your Instant Pot Ham

This delectable Instant Pot bone-in ham pairs beautifully with a variety of classic holiday sides or simple weeknight accompaniments. Consider serving it with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, green bean casserole, sweet potato gratin, or a fresh garden salad. The rich, flavorful glaze also makes an exceptional gravy that complements nearly any side dish.

You Might Also Like:

• Instant Pot Turkey Breast Potato Dinner
• Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Instant Pot Creamy Mashed Potatoes
• Instant Pot Stuffing
• Instant Pot Creamy Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Pin This Recipe for Later!

Don’t forget to save this incredible Instant Pot Bone-in Ham recipe so you can easily find it for your next holiday gathering or special meal. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

If you make this incredibly tasty pressure cooker ham recipe, please take a moment to leave a comment and a star rating below. I’d absolutely love to hear how it turned out for you!