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 your pressure cooker ham!
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If you make this tasty pressure cooker ham recipe, 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 ¼ cup for sauce)
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cloves, or 1 teaspoon whole (optional)
- 2 Tablespoons Ground Dry Mustard (or 1 Tablespoon prepared Dijon)
- ½ cup Honey
- 4 Tablespoons Corn Starch
- ¼ cup Reserved Pineapple Juice
- ¼-⅓ cup Brown Sugar, divided
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Pour the cans of pineapple and their juice into the pot.
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Add the cloves and mustard. Stir well.
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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.
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Pour the honey over the ham.
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Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
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Press the Pressure Cook button (or Manual) and then the + or - button to choose the cook time in minutes.
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Your ham's cook time will depend on the weight/thickness. Use High pressure. This is for a bone-in UNCUT ham.
3-5 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).
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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.
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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.
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Carefully remove the ham to a baking sheet.
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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.
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Turn on the Sauté setting (Low or Less temperature).
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Mix in half of the brown sugar. Taste and adjust sugar, mustard, or cloves, if desired.
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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.
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Turn on the broiler to 425°.
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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!
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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 Ham
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Roberta
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
Sandy
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.
Sudie Gelok
I am so glad to hear how to cook a spiral ham. I always dry mine out too much in the oven. Thank you.
Pam
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.
Sandy
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.
Belinda Fugate
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!
Sandy
It is a cooked ham.
M
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.
Sandy
That is correct! Look at my Instant Pot Peach Glazed Ham instructions.
Natalie R
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!
Sandy
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.
Linda
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.
Sandy
It depends on the size. I have cook times listed in the recipe card.
David
Thanks for all of your help . I was wondering if a ham could be cooked in a pressure cooker. Thanks!