After making this Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham, you’ll never make ham any other way! Spiral-sliced ham is steamed to perfection with a sweet honey sauce that keeps the ham juicy and full of flavor.
For a show-stopping meal, serve this Instant Pot Ham with mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, and an Instant Pot cheesecake.
After 6 to 10 hours of cooking, my sweet mother-in-law’s honey-baked ham, which she spends a lot of money on, is dry, tough, and chewy. Not exactly the ham you want for a Holiday centerpiece.
Don’t want your ham to get dry. Instead, try this Instant Pot Ham recipe for a Honey Baked Ham that is full of flavor and moisture.
Cooking spiral ham in an instant pot is a quick and easy way to prepare this delicious holiday staple With just a few simple steps, you can have tender, flavorful ham ready in a fraction of the time it would take to cook in the oven In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to cook spiral ham to perfection in your instant pot.
What is Spiral Ham?
Spiral ham refers to a boneless ham that has been sliced in a continuous spiral pattern. This slicing technique allows the meat to absorb flavors more efficiently and cooks more evenly. Spiral hams are fully cooked when purchased, so they just need to be heated through. The spiral cut also makes the ham very easy to carve and serve.
Spiral hams can be purchased bone-in or boneless For the instant pot, a boneless spiral ham is recommended to ensure even cooking Spiral hams are a popular choice for holidays like Easter and Christmas when feeding a crowd, thanks to their impressive presentation and ability to serve many people.
Benefits of Cooking Spiral Ham in an Instant Pot
There are several advantages to using an instant pot to prepare spiral ham:
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Speed – The pressurized environment allows the ham to cook in a fraction of the time compared to traditional oven roasting.
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Moisture – Instant pots lock in moisture exceptionally well, keeping the ham tender and juicy
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Flavor – Spiral hams absorb flavors very well. Cooking in liquid in the instant pot infuses the ham with more flavor.
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Convenience – Free up your oven space and avoid heating up the kitchen by using the instant pot. It doesn’t require monitoring like the oven does.
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Simple – Just a few ingredients and minutes of prep time are all it takes for delicious ham.
How Long to Cook a Spiral Ham in an Instant Pot
Cooking time can vary slightly based on the size, shape and brand of your instant pot. For best results, follow these time guidelines:
- Boneless spiral ham
- 1-2 lbs – 8 minutes
- 3-4 lbs – 10 minutes
- 5-7 lbs – 12 minutes
- Bone-in spiral ham
- 4-6 lbs – 12 minutes
- 7-9 lbs – 15 minutes
- 10-14 lbs – 18 minutes
After cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes before doing a quick pressure release. This allows the meat to continue to cook gently as the pressure drops.
Always use a meat thermometer to check that the ham has reached an internal temperature of 140°F before serving. If needed, you can put the lid back on for a few more minutes of cooking time.
Step-by-Step Instant Pot Spiral Ham Recipe
Follow this simple recipe for foolproof ham every time:
Ingredients:
- 5-7 lb spiral cut ham
- 1 cup chicken broth or apple juice
- 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
- 1⁄4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Instructions:
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Pour broth or juice into instant pot insert. Add ham.
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In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, honey and mustard. Rub mixture all over ham.
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Lock lid and set valve to sealing. Select Manual/Pressure Cook on High for 12 minutes.
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When cooking is complete, allow pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes.
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Carefully remove ham and check internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Temperature should be 140°F.
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Let ham rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Pro Tip: For added flavor, try adding spices like cloves, cinnamon or nutmeg to the brown sugar mixture. Crushed pineapple is also a nice addition to serve with the ham.
Instant Pot Spiral Ham Mistakes to Avoid
While fairly foolproof, there are a few things to keep in mind to avoid instant pot spiral ham mistakes:
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Don’t overfill the instant pot. Make sure at least 1/2 of the inner pot is empty for proper pressure cooking.
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Don’t forget to add liquid. The instant pot needs at least 1 cup of broth, juice or water to create steam and pressure.
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Don’t quick release pressure. Allow the pressure to naturally release to prevent overcooking the ham.
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Don’t neglect to use a meat thermometer. It’s the only way to accurately determine doneness.
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Don’t omit resting time. Letting the ham rest after cooking allows juices to redistribute for moister meat.
Tips for the Best Instant Pot Spiral Ham
Follow these tips for the most flavorful, tender and juicy instant pot spiral ham every time:
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Look for a ham with an even spiral cut for most even cooking. Avoid hams withchunks missing.
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Cut off excess outer fat to prevent scorching in spots. Leave about 1/4 inch.
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Use a flavorful liquid like apple juice, pineapple juice or chicken broth. Water will work but won’t add as much flavor.
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Rub the ham with a flavorful mixture like brown sugar, honey and mustard before cooking.
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Let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes before quick releasing.
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Always double check for doneness with a meat thermometer before serving.
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Let the ham rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing for the juiciest results.
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Save the bone and cooking liquid for bean soup or split pea soup. Don’t waste the flavor!
Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Spiral Ham
Spiral hams produce generous leftovers. Here are some delicious ways to repurpose them:
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Diced in scrambled eggs, omelets or quiche
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On pizza, flatbreads and bruschetta
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In pasta carbonara, pasta salad or macaroni and cheese
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On sandwiches with cheese and mustard
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Diced in potato salad, pasta salad or green salad
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In soups like ham and bean, split pea or potato soup
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Sliced and pan fried into ham chips
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Hashed with potatoes or Brussels sprouts
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In casseroles and strata
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Mixed into cornbread, biscuits or muffins
With this handy guide, you’ll be able to cook spiral ham to juicy perfection in your instant pot. Just follow the recommended cook times and temperature for excellent results. Enjoy your flavorful instant pot spiral ham!
Frequency of Entities:
instant pot: 21
spiral ham: 20
cook: 10
ham: 9
pressure: 8
minutes: 7
juicy: 4
tender: 3
flavor: 3
delicious: 2
perfect: 2
quick: 2
easy: 2
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.
- The foil sling will make it easier to take the ham out of the oven when it’s done.
How long do you cook a ham in the Instant Pot?
- Since spiral-sliced ham is already cooked, all you have to do is heat it up.
- On high pressure, cook your ham for 2 minutes per pound plus 10 minutes to account for the foil. This will keep the ham from drying out and warm it all the way through.
- To change the time, press the “manual” button and use the “/-” buttons. Be sure your pressure cooker is set to HIGH pressure. For a 3-pound ham, use one glaze recipe and cook for 6 minutes plus 10 minutes to account for the foil (16 minutes total). For a 4-pound ham, use one glaze recipe and cook for 8 minutes plus 10 minutes to account for the foil (18 minutes). For a 5-pound ham, use one glaze recipe and cook for 10 minutes plus 10 minutes to account for the foil (20 minutes). For a 6-pound ham, double the glaze recipe and cook for 12 minutes plus 10 minutes to account for the foil (22 minutes). For a 7-pound ham, double the glaze recipe and cook for 14 minutes plus 10 minutes to account for the foil (24 minutes). For an 8-pound ham, double the glaze recipe and cook for 16 minutes plus 10 minutes to account for the foil (26 minutes).
Easy Instant Pot Honey Spiral Ham recipe that is perfect for the holidays.
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a fully cooked spiral ham?
How many minutes per pound to cook a pre cooked ham?
How long do you cook a spiral ham in an Instant Pot?
Gently place the seasoned spiral ham on top of the trivet, ensuring it’s not touching the liquid. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure. Cook for approximately 10-12 minutes per pound of ham. For instance, if your ham weighs 5 pounds, you’ll cook it for 50-60 minutes.
How long do you Pressure Cook a Ham in an Instant Pot?
Cook: Close lid, press “manual” or “pressure cook” and set the timer to 9 minutes. The Instant Pot can take anywhere from 10- 15 minutes to come to pressure. Release the pressure naturally and open the lid: Once the ham is cooked, allow the Instant Pot to release the pressure naturally (about 10 minutes).
How long does it take to cook a spiral ham?
So simple. Quick Preparation: Heating spiral ham in the Instant Pot allows you to spend less time in the kitchen, with just 5 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking time. Sweet Perfection: Enjoy the tender and flavorful layers of spiral ham bathed in a sweet and tangy citrus glaze.
How long do you cook a Ham in a pressure cooker?
Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow for a 10-minute natural pressure release, then release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the ham from the pot and rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. If you want to get a more caramelized glaze, put the ham on a baking sheet and put it under the broiler for 5-8 minutes.