Effortless Instant Pot Ham: Juicy & Flavorful in Minutes!
Ham is a classic dish, perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or even a simple Sunday supper. But roasting a large ham in the oven can take hours, tying up valuable oven space and potentially resulting in a dry, overcooked centerpiece. Enter the Instant Pot – your new best friend for achieving a perfectly moist, tender, and flavorful ham in a fraction of the time. This recipe will guide you through everything you need to know to cook a delicious ham in your Instant Pot, from choosing the right ham to creating a mouthwatering glaze.
Why Use an Instant Pot for Ham?
The Instant Pot offers several advantages over traditional oven roasting:
* **Speed:** Cooking time is significantly reduced. A ham that might take 3-4 hours in the oven can be ready in under an hour in the Instant Pot.
* **Moisture:** The sealed environment of the Instant Pot traps moisture, resulting in a more tender and juicy ham. No more dry, stringy ham!
* **Convenience:** Frees up your oven for other dishes, especially during busy holidays.
* **Flavor Infusion:** The pressure cooking process helps infuse the ham with the flavors of the cooking liquid and glaze.
Choosing the Right Ham
Before you begin, it’s crucial to select the right type of ham. Here’s a breakdown:
* **Bone-in vs. Boneless:** Both work in the Instant Pot, but bone-in hams tend to be more flavorful and can add depth to the cooking liquid. Boneless hams are easier to slice.
* **Spiral-cut vs. Uncut:** Spiral-cut hams are pre-sliced, making serving easier and allowing the glaze to penetrate more deeply. However, they can dry out more quickly, so be mindful of cooking time. Uncut hams retain more moisture but require more effort to slice.
* **Fully Cooked vs. Partially Cooked:** Most hams sold in supermarkets are fully cooked, meaning they just need to be heated through. Partially cooked hams require longer cooking times and are less common.
* **Size:** Choose a ham that fits comfortably in your Instant Pot, leaving at least an inch or two of space around the sides. A 5-8 pound ham is usually ideal for a 6-quart Instant Pot.
For this recipe, we recommend a fully cooked, bone-in or boneless, spiral-cut or uncut ham weighing between 5-8 pounds.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for a delicious Instant Pot ham:
* **Ham:** 5-8 pound fully cooked, bone-in or boneless ham
* **Liquid:** 1-2 cups of liquid (chicken broth, apple juice, pineapple juice, or water)
* **Glaze Ingredients (choose one):**
* **Brown Sugar Glaze:**
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
* 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
* **Honey Mustard Glaze:**
* 1/2 cup honey
* 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
* 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional)
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
* **Pineapple Glaze:**
* 1/2 cup pineapple preserves
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* 1 tablespoon brown sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
* **Optional Aromatics:**
* 1 onion, quartered
* 2-3 cloves garlic, smashed
* 1 bay leaf
* A few sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme
Equipment
* Instant Pot (6-quart or larger)
* Trivet (comes with most Instant Pots)
* Small bowl (for mixing the glaze)
* Pastry brush (for applying the glaze)
* Meat thermometer
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these easy steps to create a mouthwatering Instant Pot ham:
**1. Prepare the Ham:**
* Remove the ham from its packaging and discard any netting or wrapping.
* If using a spiral-cut ham, gently separate the slices slightly to allow the glaze to penetrate. If using an uncut ham, you can score the surface in a diamond pattern to help the glaze adhere.
**2. Prepare the Glaze:**
* In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for your chosen glaze until well combined.
**3. Prepare the Instant Pot:**
* Place the trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
* Pour 1-2 cups of your chosen liquid (chicken broth, apple juice, pineapple juice, or water) into the pot.
* If using optional aromatics (onion, garlic, bay leaf, rosemary, or thyme), add them to the liquid.
**4. Place the Ham in the Instant Pot:**
* Carefully place the ham on top of the trivet. If the ham is too large to fit comfortably, you may need to trim a small portion off the bottom to make it fit. Be sure to keep the cut piece to add to soups or beans later, or you can cook and eat it as a chef’s treat.
**5. Cook the Ham:**
* Close and lock the Instant Pot lid.
* Set the valve to the sealing position.
* Cook on high pressure for the appropriate time based on the ham’s weight:
* **For fully cooked ham:** Cook for 2-3 minutes per pound. For example, a 6-pound ham would cook for 12-18 minutes.
* **For partially cooked ham:** Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging, but generally, it will be longer than the fully cooked ham.
**6. Natural Pressure Release:**
* Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for 10-15 minutes. This helps the ham retain its moisture.
* After 10-15 minutes of natural pressure release, carefully release any remaining pressure manually by moving the valve to the venting position.
**7. Glaze the Ham (Optional):**
* Carefully remove the ham from the Instant Pot and place it on a baking sheet lined with foil.
* Using a pastry brush, generously brush the glaze over the entire surface of the ham, ensuring it gets into the slices of a spiral-cut ham.
* Broil the ham in the oven for 3-5 minutes, or until the glaze is bubbly and slightly caramelized. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
**8. Rest and Serve:**
* Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful ham.
* Carve the ham and serve with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, scalloped potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
Cooking Time Chart
Here’s a quick reference guide for Instant Pot ham cooking times (for fully cooked hams):
| Ham Weight (lbs) | Cooking Time (minutes) |
| —————- | ———————– |
| 5 | 10-15 |
| 6 | 12-18 |
| 7 | 14-21 |
| 8 | 16-24 |
*Note: These are estimates. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).*
Tips for Success
* **Don’t overcook:** Overcooking will result in a dry ham. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
* **Adjust cooking time based on ham type:** Fully cooked hams require less cooking time than partially cooked hams.
* **Use enough liquid:** The liquid is essential for creating steam and pressure in the Instant Pot. Ensure there’s enough liquid to prevent a burn notice.
* **Natural pressure release is key:** Allowing the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for 10-15 minutes helps the ham retain its moisture.
* **Broil for a caramelized glaze:** Broiling the ham after pressure cooking will caramelize the glaze and add a beautiful finish.
* **Let the ham rest before slicing:** Resting allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful ham.
Variations and Add-ins
* **Add fruit:** Add chunks of pineapple, peaches, or apples to the Instant Pot for a fruity flavor.
* **Use different spices:** Experiment with different spices in the glaze, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice.
* **Add wine:** Substitute some of the liquid with white wine or apple cider for a more complex flavor.
* **Make a ham stock:** Save the leftover ham bone and cooking liquid to make a flavorful ham stock for soups and stews.
Serving Suggestions
Instant Pot ham is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some popular choices:
* Mashed potatoes
* Scalloped potatoes
* Green beans
* Roasted vegetables (carrots, Brussels sprouts, asparagus)
* Sweet potato casserole
* Dinner rolls
* Cornbread
* Salad
Storage and Reheating
* **Storage:** Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat ham in the oven, microwave, or skillet. Add a little liquid to prevent it from drying out.
Troubleshooting
* **Ham is dry:** You may have overcooked the ham. Next time, reduce the cooking time or use more liquid.
* **Ham is not fully heated:** You may not have cooked the ham long enough. Increase the cooking time and ensure the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
* **Instant Pot gives a burn notice:** You may not have enough liquid in the pot. Add more liquid and ensure the trivet is properly positioned.
* **Glaze is burning:** Watch the ham carefully while broiling and reduce the broiling time if necessary.
Nutritional Information (approximate, may vary based on ingredients and serving size)
* Calories: 300-400
* Protein: 25-35g
* Fat: 15-25g
* Carbohydrates: 10-20g
Conclusion
Cooking ham in the Instant Pot is a game-changer. It’s quick, easy, and results in a perfectly moist and flavorful ham every time. With this recipe and guide, you’ll be able to impress your family and friends with a delicious centerpiece without spending hours in the kitchen. So, fire up your Instant Pot and get ready to enjoy a ham that’s simply irresistible!
FAQs
**Q: Can I use a frozen ham in the Instant Pot?**
A: While it’s not recommended to cook a frozen ham directly in the Instant Pot, you can thaw it in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours before cooking. You’ll need to increase the cooking time slightly for a partially thawed ham.
**Q: Can I use this recipe for a smaller or larger ham?**
A: Yes, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Use the cooking time chart as a guide and always check the internal temperature of the ham with a meat thermometer.
**Q: What if I don’t have a trivet?**
A: You can use a vegetable steamer basket or create a makeshift trivet by rolling up aluminum foil into a rope shape.
**Q: Can I add vegetables to the Instant Pot with the ham?**
A: Yes, you can add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or onions to the Instant Pot with the ham. However, keep in mind that they may become very soft during the cooking process. You can add them in the last 15-20 minutes of cooking to prevent them from becoming too mushy.
**Q: How can I make the glaze thicker?**
A: You can simmer the glaze in a saucepan over medium heat for a few minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency.
**Q: What can I do with leftover ham?**
A: Leftover ham can be used in a variety of dishes, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, omelets, and casseroles.