Use your pressure cooker to reheat a spiral ham in half the time it takes in the oven! Instant Pot Ham is so easy, and it’s the most moist and tender ham you’ll ever make. Use our simple maple orange glaze for an extra layer of flavor.
Here’s an example of real Instant Pot magic – spiral ham! Huzzah!
Most cuts of ham are cured and fully cooked, so once you get that guy home, it’s just a matter of reheating before serving. I’ve reheated many hams in the oven over the years, and it seems like every year I’m trying something new to make sure it’s both fully warmed though, but also moist and tender.
Until this year, that is. Instant Pot Ham is far superior to traditional oven warming. It requires zero oversight, takes half the time, and the results are consistently perfect every single time – a super tender ham that’s fully warmed through with slightly crisp edges.
What kind of ham should I buy?
There are several factors you need to consider when selecting a ham, including the size of your instant pot and how many people you’ll be feeding.
This recipe is written for a cured, spiral cut ham. You’re essentially just re-heating the ham, so it shouldn’t be used on a fresh ham, which is raw.
The size of the ham is important for 2 reasons – the size of your pressure cooker, and the size of your crowd. A 6-quart Instant Pot will fit a 5-6 pound spiral cut ham, and an 8-quart will accommodate a 7-8 pound ham. Plan on roughly half a pound of ham per person.
Lastly, you’ll need to choose between a boneless or bone-in ham. A boneless ham is incredibly easy to slice and serve, and typically smaller. A bone-in ham typically has more flavor, but is a little more difficult to slice.
For this recipe, I opted for a 5.5-pound boneless spiral cut ham. If you love bone-in ham, go for it! Just be sure to purchase a size that will fit into your pressure cooker.
How to make instant pot ham
Say goodbye to dry, overcooked ham. Instant pot ham is perfect every single time! Be sure to select a size and cut appropriate to your crowd and the size of your Instant Pot. Cooking times vary just a little, so be sure to check the cooking times below. And don’t forget the maple orange glaze – it’s punchy and just a little sweet and makes a lovely serving sauce.
- Make the glaze. Combine melted butter with orange juice and maple syrup, then whisk until combined.
- Pour a cup of chicken broth into the instant pot, then place a trivet into the inner pot.
- Place the ham onto the trivet, then pour the maple orange glaze over the ham. Be sure to pour plenty of glaze in-between the slices.
- Seal the pot, then cook on the “Meat” setting. For specific times, see below based on the size and cut of your ham. The boneless spiral ham in these photos took 15 minutes to come to pressure. Allow for a natural pressure release, which takes a further 10-15 minutes.
- Open the pressure cooker, and remove the cooked ham using the handles of the trivet (be sure to protect your hands with oven mitts). Set the ham aside and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Switch to the “Saute” function and bring the pan sauce to a simmer.
- Cook until the sauce is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. The sauce won’t thicken too much, but the flavor will intensify.
- Slice the ham, then drizzle with pan sauce.
How long to cook ham in the pressure cooker?
Plan for 2 minutes per pound for a boneless cut, and 3 minutes per pound for a bone-in cut.
- For a 5-6 pound boneless ham: 10-12 minutes
- For a 5-6 pound bone-in ham: 15-18 minutes
- For a 7-8 pound boneless ham: 14-16 minutes
- For a 7-8 pound bone-in ham: 21-24 minutes
The internal temperature should read 140-145°F for a re-heated fully cooked ham.
Is the maple orange glaze sweet?
Not at all!
It you prefer a sweeter finish, consider serving this ham with my Grandma’s classic raisin sauce – it’s the perfect compliment to the maple orange glaze.
More Easy Recipes for Easter Dinner
- Lemon Garlic Asparagus
- Grandma’s Raisin Sauce
- Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes
- Green Beans with Bacon
- Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
- Mom’s Carrot Cake
Did you make this this Instant Pot Ham recipe? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below 
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Instant Pot Ham with Maple Orange Glaze
Print Recipe Rate this RecipeRecommended Equipment
- Trivet
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- ¼ c maple syrup
- ¼ c orange juice
- 1 c chicken broth
- 5-6 lb spiral ham, boneless or bone-in
Instructions
- Make the glaze. Place the butter into a 1-cup measuring cup; microwave on high for 30 seconds, or until melted. Allow to cool slightly. Add the maple syrup and orange juice, and whisk until combined.
- Place 1 cup chicken broth in the instant pot, then fit a pressure cooker trivet into the pot. Place the ham onto the trivet for easy removal.
- Pour the maple orange glaze over the ham and in between the slices.
- Secure the lid, ensure the pressure valve is set to sealing, then program for 10-18 minutes on the “Meat” setting (see notes below). It will take about 15 minutes to come to pressure. Allow for a natural pressure release, which takes about 10 minutes.
- Remove the lid and lift the ham from the instant pot using the trivet handles. Set the ham aside and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Press the “Saute” feature on the Instant Pot and bring the sauce to a simmer. Cook 10 minutes more, or until the sauce is reduced by half.
- Drizzle slices of ham with pan sauce or serve with raisin sauce.
Notes
- For a 5-6 pound boneless ham: 10-12 minutes
- For a 5-6 pound bone-in ham: 15-18 minutes
- For a 7-8 pound boneless ham: 14-16 minutes
- For a 7-8 pound bone-in ham: 21-24 minutes
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