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My reverse-seared Instant Pot Ham recipe with brown sugar glaze uses only six ingredients and takes 15 minutes to cook! It is a juicy, easy Instapot ham your family and guests will love. This is the easiest and simplest way to make a holiday dinner everyone will rave about.
Jump to:
- Ham in the Instant Pot
- Ham Instant Pot Ingredients
- Pressure Cooker Ham Recipe
- Reverse Searing Ham
- Pressure Cooker Ham Tips
- How Long to Cook Ham in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Ham FAQ
- How Much Ham per Person
- Storing Instant Pot Ham
- How to Reheat Ham in the Instant Pot
- Ham Recipes
- Pin it for later!
- Recipe
- Reviews
Ham in the Instant Pot
When I realized you could cook a ham in the pressure cooker, I knew I had to try it. And, oh boy… wow! Instapot ham was even easier than I expected, and it turned out so juicy and tasty.
What I love most about cooking ham in the Instant Pot is it takes less time than cooking it in the oven. Plus, it saves you room to prepare your side dishes! My Instant Pot ham recipe will change the way you prepare your holiday ham, trust me.
I’ve prepared ham this way nearly every year since, and it has never been dry. Instant Pot recipes are the best!
OMG OMG…BEST ham we have ever had. I was hesitant to use this recipe as for years (40 plus) I have used the traditional pineapple mustard glaze and inserting whole cloves. This recipe allows you to sweeten up the ham…but the glaze does not over power the ham flavor. Will be making this my regular ham recipe.
Carmen
Ham Instant Pot Ingredients
- Ham: So long as the ham fits in your Instant Pot, you can use a bone-in or boneless ham. Just be sure it fits before you buy it.
- Brown Sugar Glaze: To make the brown sugar glaze, we will be mixing maple syrup, brown sugar, and sliced green onions.
- Orange Juice: The ham cooks over orange juice, which infuses it with even more flavor.
- Butter: Used to sear the ham after cooking it in the Instant Pot for the final touch that makes this recipe oh-so delicious!
I use my go-to maple brown sugar glaze. It gives the meat flavor and an irresistibly sticky, crispy skin! The ingredients are super simple but so incredibly delicious!
Brown sugar glaze adds to the sweetness, with a little bit of orange juice to give it a tangy bite. Green onions tie it all off with a perfect little kick! It is SO flavorful! My Instant Pot ham recipe with brown sugar glaze is the best.
You can try other ham glaze recipes, too. Try: Honey Sriracha Glaze, Honey Glaze, Pineapple Glaze, Bourbon Glaze
Pressure Cooker Ham Recipe
- Combine maple syrup, brown sugar, and green onions in a mixing bowl. Mix well.
- Add a trivet to the bottom of your 6 qt.+ Instant Pot. Pour in orange juice.
- Place the ham on top of the trivet, and cover it with ½ of the glaze mixture.
- Lock the lid in place and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- When 10 minutes is up, carefully release the pressure (use an oven mitt or dishcloth).
- Carefully lift it out of the pot and set it aside on a plate. Drain the liquid from the pot.
- Set the Instant Pot to saute mode and melt the butter.
- Once it melts, add the ham. Sear on each side until browned all over.
- Remove to a plate and slice.
We did this ham for Easter. We were literally fighting over who got the last piece. It was to die for!
Joline
Reverse Searing Ham
The reverse sear sets this recipe apart from other Instant Pot ham recipes and takes it to the next level. By searing in butter after cooking in the pressure cooker, you’re giving the ham a crispy, browned skin that adds so much flavor to every bite.
Pressure Cooker Ham Tips
- Be careful when lifting it out of the pot. I use two large serving forks to lift it out from both ends.
- You can also use a foil sling by folding a long, heavy-duty aluminum foil and placing it under the trivet.
- Pour the orange juice into the bottom of the instant pot. It provides amazing flavor, and your house will smell so good!
- You can substitute pineapple juice or apple cider for orange juice.
- After cooking, add more glaze between each slice to maximize the flavor in every bite. Your leftovers will taste incredible!
- I like more simple ham flavors. You can use your favorite ham spices in this recipe. Cinnamon and Nutmeg work well.
- A spiral-cut ham also works well in this recipe.
It is the perfect holiday recipe to pair with my amazingly delicious and super easy recipe for Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Instant Pot Turkey.
How Long to Cook Ham in the Instant Pot
| 2 pounds | 4 minutes on high |
| 3 pounds | 6 minutes on high |
| 4 pounds | 8 minutes on high |
| 5 pounds | 10 minutes on high |
Instant Pot Ham FAQ
Cook the ham for approximately 2 minutes per pound when heating it up in the pressure cooker.
Leftover ham will last 3 to 5 days in your refrigerator stored in an airtight container.
Allow ham to cool completely, then wrap in aluminum foil or freezer paper. Store until ready to use, up to 2 months.
How Much Ham per Person
For a boneless ham, approximately ½ pound per person.
| 4-6 people | 2-3 pounds |
| 8-12 people | 5-6 pounds |
| 15-20 people | 8-10 pounds |
For bone-in ham, approximately ¾ pounds per person.
| 4-6 people | 5-6 pounds |
| 8-12 people | 8-9 pounds |
| 15-20 people | 15-16 pounds |
Storing Instant Pot Ham
- Let it cool.
- Slice or shred it.
- Use airtight containers or bags.
- Remove excess air from bags.
- Label with the date.
- Keep in the fridge for 3-5 days or freeze for 1-2 months.
How to Reheat Ham in the Instant Pot
- Thaw it in the fridge.
- Place the ham in the Instant Pot.
- Add ¼ cup of liquid (like broth or water).
- Seal and select “Steam” or “Manual.”
- Set time (3-7 mins).
- Release pressure.
- Check temp (165°F or 74°C).
Ham Recipes
Check out all my favorite leftover ham recipes and side dishes for ham.
Pin it for later!
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Instant Pot Ham
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 lb. ham pre-cooked
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 green onions sliced
- 1 cup orange juice
- ½ stick butter
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup maple syrup, 1 cup brown sugar, and 3 sliced green onions to a mixing bowl. Mix well.
- Add trivet to the bottom of your 6 qt.+ Instant Pot. Pour in 1 cup of orange juice. Place a 5 pound ham on top of the trivet, and cover with ½ of the glaze mixture. Lock the lid in place and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- When 10 minutes is up, carefully release the pressure (use an oven mitt or dish cloth). Carefully lift out of the pot and set aside on a plate. Drain the liquid from the pot.
- Set the Instant Pot to saute mode and melt ½ stick butter.
- Once it melts, add the ham. Sear on each side until browned all over.
- Remove to a plate and slice. On top and in between each slice, evenly cover with the remaining ½ of your glaze mixture. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Serve with orange slices and arugula.
- Reserve some green onions to put on top for extra color and flavor.
Joey says
Can you use this recipe with a raw bone in ham. If so how much longer would the cook time be
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Joey, I have not tried this recipe with raw bone in ham… but now I am curious and may have to try it.
Carmen Cortes Ramos says
OMG OMG…BEST ham we have ever had.I was hesitant to use this recipe as for years (40 plus) i have used the traditional pineapple mustard glaze and inserting whole cloves.This recipe allows you to sweeten up the ham…but the glaze does not over power the ham flavor.I think you should add the cuts or slits to the instructions it helped getting the flavor in.Will be making this my regular ham recipe. Can .we post pictures..i have some
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Carmen! Thanks so much for letting me know how much you enjoyed this recipe. It is truly our new favorite way to prepare ham! I would love to see your pictures!
Barbara says
The recipe sounds great, and I will definitely use it this Easter! Thanks! I’m making two smaller cooked hams, 2.5 lbs each. Would you still cook for 10 minutes, or go less time?
Em Beitel says
Hi Barbara, we hope you love it! Thank you so much for your comment. We would lower cook times to 7-8 minutes for hams of this size. Enjoy!
Kim says
We are having Easter this Sunday. I have an 11 pound spiral sliced ham and a 10 qt instant pot. It fits, I checked. How long would you recommend I cook for? Thanks.
Em Beitel says
Hi Kim! For an 11 pound ham I would recommend 22 minutes of cook time. Have a wonderful Easter Sunday and enjoy!
Eliana says
Hi, I am cooking it today!
I got a bone in ham. Is the cooking time still the same?
Thank you!
Em Beitel says
Hi Eliana! The cooking time will be slightly different for a bone-in ham. Thank you for your question – we will be updating the post to include this info. So long as the bone-in ham fits in your pot, cook a 4-5 lb. bone-in ham for 12 minutes on high pressure, about 17 minutes for 6-7 pounds, and about 22 minutes for 8-9 pounds. Natural release pressure will likely take about 20-25 minutes.
Martha Wessel says
I’m planning on making this with a 1.7 lb. ham. Would it be ok if I halved the recipe or would I get a burn notice if only using 1/2 cup orange juice?
Em Beitel says
Hi Martha! I personally have not tried that, but it should be just fine. If you want to play it safe, I recommend sticking with the full cup of orange juice even for a smaller ham.
Diana says
Could this be done in the oven as well? I done a small one for thanksgiving and it was a hit so I wanted to try a large one for Christmas.
Em Beitel says
Hi Diana! Yes, absolutely. Follow the instructions in our Honey Glazed Ham post to make it in the oven, but you can use the same flavorings as this recipe if you like. Thank you for your question!
Leslie says
I noticed the recipe above is for a 5lb precooked ham that goes in a 6 qt. Instant pot. I have an 8 qt. Instant pot…would the cooking times be the same for a 6 and 8 qt instant pot? Or would the cooking times be different?
Em Beitel says
Hi Leslie! The cooking times are the same – no need to change anything. Thank you for your question!
Christine says
Can this recipe be made using a crockpot?
Em Beitel says
Hi Christine! Absolutely. If making this in a crockpot, use a 6 to 7 quart slow cooker. Spray it with cooking spray. Cut the top of the ham in a diamond pattern about a fourth of an inch deep, then add the ham to the slow cooker. Mix your glaze, then pour that over top. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. A meat thermometer inserted into the center of the ham should read 140°F. Enjoy!
Helen says
I have a 10.75 pound bone-in precooked ham. Should I double the recipe for the glaze? What about the cook time in my 8-qt instant pot?
Em Beitel says
Hi Helen! I’m a little concerned about a 10.75 pound ham fitting in the Instant Pot with the trivet – I believe max capacity for an 8 qt. is around an 8 pound ham – but as long as it’s below the max line for your cooker, then I would cook it at high pressure for about 20 minutes. Definitely double the glaze.