Instant Pot Bone-in Ham turns out juicy and flavorful in a fraction of the time it takes to cook it in the oven! Making a ham in the Instant Pot is my favorite way to cook this Holiday staple. Adding some delicious seasonings and flavorings to this pressure cooker ham recipe makes it really special! Once you make an Instant Pot Ham, you will love it!
Originally published 10/25/17 [updated 11/2019]
Instant Pot Bone-In Ham
I think it’s funny how ham and turkey became once or twice a year foods for most of us in America. We might have lunch meats and ground versions, but to make a ham or turkey is not a frequent happening in most of our kitchens!
Every year I cook 2 hams, one for Easter, and one for Christmas. Always in the oven, and it always takes up the oven space so I can’t make the sides conveniently.
After I got my Instant Pot I decided to give it a try. It turned out really moist and delicious! Now I only make ham in the Instant Pot, and have my oven freed up for everything else! The Instant Pot ham actually cooks faster than some of the casseroles!
What I have noticed is that using my Instant Pot has allowed me to cook those time intensive meats and dishes more often because it just doesn’t take as long! I’m crazy about the variety we eat since the IP came to live with us!
This Instant Pot Bone-in Ham is done in about an hour. It takes about 13 minutes to heat up the pot and get it to pressure, 15 to 25 minutes of cook time, depending on how thick/large the ham is, and 25 minutes of natural pressure release!
Allow yourself some extra time in case you need to add a few minutes to the cook time. It’s good to have the ham done first, then the rest of the meal shortly after.
I prefer to use a bone-in, UNCUT ham. I find that these retain more moisture. If you use a spiral cut ham, drastically reduce the cook time (see recipe card).
Cooked in pineapple juice, along with a little spice gives the pressure cooker ham that Holiday flavor, and the drippings make an excellent glaze and gravy!
I pour some honey over the Instant Pot ham right before I close the lid.
The meat is juicy and delicious. Ready for carving! Enjoy!
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If you make this tasty pressure cooker bone-in ham, please leave a comment with a star rating below. I’d love to know how it turned out!
Instant Pot Bone-in Ham cooks in about an hour and is juicy and delicious! This recipe is for an uncut, precooked ham.
- 1 (3-8 lb) Bone-in Ham* (Uncut, Cooked shank or butt "portion")
- 2 (20 oz) cans Pineapple Chunks (with juice. Reserve 1/4 cup for sauce)
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cloves, or 1 tsp whole (optional)
- 2 Tbsp Ground Dry Mustard (or 1 Tbsp prepared Dijon)
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 4 Tbsp Corn Starch
- 1/4 cup Reserved Pineapple Juice
- 1/4-1/3 cup Brown Sugar, divided
Pour the cans of pineapple and their juice into the pot.
Add the cloves and mustard. Stir well.
Place the ham on a trivet (I like to use a silicone steamer with handles) in the pot with the fat side up. If it doesn't fit well, cut off a piece and fit it into the pot along side the larger piece (you may need to reduce the cook time from the original weight as the ham will be smaller after cutting off a piece.).
Make sure the ham is below the level of the pot so the lid goes on without obstruction. I can fit a 8-9 lb ham in my 8 quart Instant Pot, and a 6-7 lb ham in my 6 qt.
Pour the honey over the ham.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
Press the Pressure Cook button (or Manual) and then the + or - button to choose the cook time in minutes.
Your ham's cook time will depend on the weight/thickness. Use High pressure. This is for a bone-in UNCUT ham.
4-5 pounds - 12 minutes plus 25 minutes Natural Release
6-7 pounds - 17 minutes plus 25 minutes Natural Release
8-9 pounds - 22 minutes plus 25 minutes Natural Release
(For a spiral cut ham, only cook 3 minutes with a 15 minute NPR).
When cooking cycle has ended, let the pot naturally release pressure for 25 minutes. Then manually release the remaining pressure by turning the steam release knob to Venting.
When the pin in the lid drops, open the lid and take the temperature of the ham. It should read 100°-115° F which is fine for a fully cooked ham. Remember, you are just reheating it.
If the ham is below 85° F, place the lid back on and pressure cook it for another 3 minutes and 10 minutes Natural Release.
Carefully remove the ham to a baking sheet.
Ladle the liquid from the pot to a fat separator (straining out the pineapple chunks) and discard the extra fat. Then add the defatted liquid and pineapple chunks back into the pot.
Turn on the Sauté setting (Low or Less temperature).
Mix in half of the brown sugar. Taste and adjust sugar, mustard, or cloves, if desired.
Mix the corn starch and reserved pineapple juice together to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the simmering liquid and stir until it is thickened. Then turn off the pot.
Turn on the broiler to 425°.
Pour some of the glaze over the ham and place the ham under the broiler to caramelize for a few minutes. Check it often to make sure it doesn't burn!
Remove ham from oven to a serving platter and serve. Serve the remaining glaze as a gravy.
*The thickness of the ham will affect cook time, as will higher altitudes (3000 feet or higher add more time).
**Allow yourself some extra time in case you need to add a few minutes to the cook time. It's good to have the ham done first, then the rest of the meal shortly after.
RESOURCES TO MAKE Instant Pot Bone-in Ham
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I am so gonna make this!
Yummy!
Thanks!
Can this be done without all the stuff? I want just a simple baked ham
Yes it can.
What do I substitute for liquid
You can use water, apple juice, pineapple juice, ginger ale, or whatever you like.
Yes, yes yes it can! My family dislikes sweet ham, that’s not easy to find. Every one in the stores even is sweetened with corn syrup, honey, sugar etc. and is way too sweet!! We like and we’re raised with salty tasting ham and everywhere we look, sweet ham is everywhere!! We’ve found just 1 brand that has reduced the salt but, the ham is not too bad so, yes you can still use this recipe but, ignore all the fruit juices etc and add about 1quart of water to the pot with the ham. It comes out great, as a matter of fact, I have one in my instant pot as I speak!!
Love the mustard! I wasn’t sure about it but it made the sauce better!
Yes, dry ground mustard.
Made a 6 pound ham using this recipe and it turned out so juicy and good! I love pineapple, but my hubby doesn’t. He liked it in this recipe!
Well Sandy you have just made my weekend… Ham tonight and split pea soup tomorrow!
That’s awesome, Ken!
This is fabulous, and a huge hit at the dinner table! Question: When you cook down the liquid at the end to thicken, do you strain it first, or do you leave in the pineapple, etc?
Hi Karen, I’m so glad you liked this recipe! When I reduce the liquid I leave everything in, then add a thickener. If you like a smoother gravy, you can remove the pineapple chunks with a slotted spoon and serve them separately.
Thank you!! 🙂
I want to ham sliders for a hearty appetizer for Easter. Will this hm be tender enough to shred?
Hi Christine, I think it will be. There’s a point where it can get overcooked, and kind of dry, so choose the ham that has good marbling as it will be more tender.
I love the ingredients for this recipe!!! I do have a question, though. Will it work to cut the recipe in half for a smaller ham? And if so, would I also reduce the cooking time?
Thanks!!!
Hi Shirley (Love your name!), The 30 minute time is for a 6 to 8 pound bone-in ham. If you make a smaller ham, I would reduce the time by about 4 minutes per pound. So, cook a 4 pound ham for about 20 minutes.
I’m puzzled. In your directions you say cooking time for a a 6-8 lb bone-in ham should be 17 minutes plus 25 mins natural release. I just cooked a 7.5 lb ham for 20 minutes +_ 25 natural release. I forgot to measure the internal temperature after I took it out, Now I’m wondering if I cooked it long enough.
Sounds like it will be fine.
I cannot use pineapple due to an allergy. Suggestions for a substitute?
Hi Anne, since pork and fruit go so well together, you can try any canned fruit that you like. Or apples (with a bit of apple juice). Cherry preserves mixed with some lemon juice, or orange juice. You want a little acidic tartness in there if you add a sweet fruit.
Thank you.
I accidentally bought a spiral sliced ham. It’s 9.35 lbs. Can I use this?
Hi Dawn, yes, but reduce the cook time to 3 minutes.
Hi Sandy, is a spiral ham always 3 min cook no matter the size? Thanks.
Yes. That’s because the slices are all the same size/thickness.
10.5 lbs cook time?
About 27 minutes with a 25 minute natural release.
I made this yesterday and it turned out awesome. My ham was 9 lbs and I did 45 minutes but I did have to cook to for an additional 10 minutes. I think 5 minutes would have been enough. Delicious!
That’s great Sharlene! Every ham is different, and I try to go by the thickness. Trust that meat thermometer! Thank you for your review!
hi I just bought an instapot I cook all the time but for some reason I cant seem to start using mine im sure after I do ill c how easy it is but for now it seems complicated I would just like to put everything in the pot set it and forget it but it seems I have to go on line to try and figure out how long to cook for and how to pls can u help me to c how easy it could be thanks a bunch
Hi Brenda, it can take a while to understand that this is a pressure cooker and not a crock pot. There are recipes that are “Dump and push start” and many are not. One of the cool things about this appliance is that you can brown your meat, veggies, or whatever in the same pot that you will be pressure cooking in. Just remember that pressure cooking requires water. The water heats up and creates steam. The steam builds up and creates pressure, and is hotter than boiling water. The pressure cooks the food. WAY different than a crock pot. I have a friend who has an amazing guide for getting started: Getting Started – Paint the Kitchen Red. Good Luck!
Hi Sandy!
Thank you for this recipe. What do you mean by precooked ham? I have a fresh bone in ham that’s about 5lbs, so I was thinking about 25 minutes in the instant pot?
Thank you!
Hi Michelle. Most hams we get in the grocery store are precooked. Check the label and it will tell you. I think starting with 13 minutes sounds good.
My broiler is out. How can I do glaze in oven?
I would put the oven to 425° and let it kind of caramelize that way. Maybe wrap the bottom in foil first.
Can you do this with a frozen ham or does it have to be thawed.
You can use frozen, though it will take longer to come to pressure. You might need to add some time, but I would cook it per recipe, then use a meat thermometer to check. If it needs more time, just give it a few minutes.
Need Thanksgiving help! Have you tried a frozen ham before? I saw you just commented on a frozen ham and may have tried it by now. I am worried it will be tough. I will have alot of side dishes and a big turkey in my refrigerator, so I’m trying to go straight from the freezer with the ham. Do you think it would be better if I thawed it first? I am cooking for 20 people and five of them are Army guys that can’t go home to their families. :(. Army guys that eat so I need alot of meat! lol. My ham is a bone in 7 pound shank. Thanks in advance. 🙂
Try 27 minutes with a 25 minute natural release.
If I am making a ham for a church party and they gave me one that has a brown sugar glaze packet with it already, do I place that on before I cook the ham or after? You said you put the honey on before cooking the ham. Also thank your for making your recipe so simple to follow! We are new to the instant pot that this really helped!
I would put the glaze on after, then broil it in the oven for a few minutes to caramelize it.
I am making this for my Christmas dinner I don’t have a Instant Pot I would like to make it in my crockpot can I do it that way and do I have to change anything
Yes, just cook 6-7 hours on Low or 3-4 on high.
Would a 10lb ham fit in a 8 quart IP? Thanks!
Possibly. It depends on the shape.
Made this tonight for a pre-Christmas family dinner, since all my kids head different directions to spend time with their in-laws. Everyone loved it. The ham was the moistest I have made in years. Between the ham juices and the orange/pineapple juices, it was almost too much. Great recipe though. Thanks.
Glad you liked it!
This was awesome! Thank you for a great recipe! This is the third thing I’ve made in my new instapot and it came out perfect. I only had 1 can of pineapple, so I added 1 cup of water to make sure I had enough liquid. It was still very flavorful. My family loved it. Thank you for helping me create a memorable Christmas for my family?
That’s great, Shaye! Merry Christmas!
Thanks for all of your help . I was wondering if a ham could be cooked in a pressure cooker. Thanks!
How long do I cook a pre cooked bone-in ham in my instant pot? I have always slow cooked it in conventional oven for several hours.
It depends on the size. I have cook times listed in the recipe card.
I’ve been tasked with making ham for Easter to free up space in my mom’s oven (no pressure) – so this recipe is PERFECT because I love using my IP. I could only find a spiral cut ham at our grocery store, so I wanted to adjust accordingly.. when you say 3 – 4 minute cook time, is that per pound or total high pressure cooking? The ham is around 8 pounds. Thanks in advance for your help!
3 minutes total cook time, and a 5 minute natural release. Try to put the cut side down so it stays moist in the juices.
How much time for a spiral cut ham? The recipe says 3 to 4 min in parentheses. But that doesn’t sound like enough.
Thx can’t wait to try this for Easter.
That is correct! Look at my Instant Pot Peach Glazed Ham instructions.
This is probably a dumb question, but are you using a smoked ham or or completely uncooked raw ham? I don’t think I’ve seen a raw ham in my store. I’m having ham for Easter and would love to cook in my instant pot. Thanks!
It is a cooked ham.
Hi there…..I love this recipe and am looking forward to making it. I actually have a partially cooked Shank Ham portion. It says that I should cook it 10-15 minutes per pound (8.5 pounds) until it reaches 160 degrees. Any ideas for how long in the IP or should I just wing it?? ?. Thanks for the great recipe.
I would cook it for 30 minutes with a 15 minute natural release. It can be 145° as per the new food safety guidelines for this type of ham.
Hi
I have a spiral cut ham that is a little over 15lbs. How long do i cook it for in the crockpot pressure cooker?
Thank u,
Roberta
I would cook it for 4 to 5 minutes (high pressure) with a 10 minute natural release. The spiral cuts tend to dry out easily. It will take several minutes to come to pressure, so it also cooks while building pressure. Try and put the cut side down if you can to help keep those thin slices moist.
Ok so my family hates sweet ham except for my grandpa. It’s Father’s day and he wants brown sugar pineapple ham….yuck! Tried this recipe…added 1/2 brown sugar to the pineapple juice b4 cooking ham and only used about a teaspoon of the mustard. Turned out amazing!!! We all like it and Grandpa was able to just add the glaze to it and it was perfect for all of us. Without the glaze it has very little sweet to it and still has the saltiness we all love about ham. Will be keeping this recipe!
Hi Molly! I’m happy to know that Grandpa got what he wanted, and so did you! Thanks for your review!
I must say, I have tried so many versions but yours by far has been the best. I did do something different today though. My husband requested a natural and spicy tasting ham. His word’s hahaha. So I took your instructions and instead of sweetness I used chicken broth, jalapeno slices and juice and garlic. He loved it. He told me to never lose that recipe ?
That sounds great! Spicy ham, yum!
Hi Sandy i have a guestion I have a almost 12 pound ham that I’ve always done my ham in the oven for years I normally baste mine every 20 min with my own glaze so how can make this year’s ham in my quick pot ive made some roast and they have come out good. And how long would I cook this ham
If a 12 pounder fits in your pot, you are lucky! I’d cook it for 35 minutes plus a 25 minute Natural Release. If it won’t fit, you’ll need to cut it and cook according to the weight of the largest chunk. Use my time chart in the recipe card. If it is a spiral cut, reduce the cook time to 3 to 5 minutes, depending on how big it ends up being. 15 minute NR.
I did a 7 pound ham for 30 minutes and turned out very dry, it barely fit in my 6 Qt and we had to cut a piece off to make it fit. Was it dry because it was too much in the pot?
What kind of ham was it? And yes, cutting it will reduce the overall thickness, so a shorter cook time may have been needed.
Smoked pork shoulder picnic
I think it was cutting it smaller that did it.
Can you make this with a boneless ham?
Yes you can.
Great recipe! I made an 11lb bone-in ham for Xmas open house. It barely fit but I got it in my Instant Pot. Cooked it 30 at pressure and 25 natural release… fabulous! Everyone loved it. Tender and juicy.
HELP! I bough an uncured, unsmoked, fresh, bone in picnic ham (it was on sale) but I can’t find an instant pot recipe anywhere! Any ideas? I’ll go for pulled pork or roast, whatever. Just don’t want to screw it up.
You can cook it as in this recipe and it will be good.
Please, help! We’re trying to use all we have during this time. We remembered a 5 pound, uncooked, frozen, bone-in “fresh pork ham roast.” 8 quart instant pot. Reading through some of your previous answers, I was going to guess 22 minutes with a 20 minute release. Would that work? Thank you so much!
If it is uncooked, I would cook for 45 minutes with a 10 minute natural release.