This delicious Instant Pot Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham is the perfect meal for a special occasion or holiday meal, especially Easter dinner! The recipe is easy to follow, and the end result is a juicy, flavorful ham that will satisfy everyone at the table.
This fantastic and delicious Instant Pot Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham recipe will be perfect for your next holiday dinner! This dish will surely wow your guests with just a few simple ingredients.
Plus, it's cooked in the Instant Pot, so it's quick and easy. You can have this ham cooked and ready to eat in a fraction of the time it takes to cook a whole ham in the oven!
If you're looking for an easy way to cook a ham that doesn't require much time or effort, this is definitely the recipe for you!
Can you heat a fully cooked ham in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can! Any pre-cooked, sliced ham, whether glazed or unglazed, bone-in or boneless, can be heated in your Instant Pot. The majority of hams available at grocery stores have already been cooked.
What You'll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Spiral boneless ham
- Pineapple slices with juice
- Brown sugar
How to Make Instant Pot Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham
Prepare. Place aluminum foil in your instant pot, so you can remove them ham easier.
Assemble. At the bottom of the instant pot, add half of the brown sugar. Place the ham on top of the brown sugar. Put the pineapple slices between the ham slices. Pour pineapple juice over the ham. Top the ham with remaining brown sugar.
Cook. Turn on the instant pot, with the vent sealed, on high for 15 minutes. (It takes about 20 minutes to decompress)
Finish. Do a quick release. Remove from the instant pot, and serve while hot. Enjoy!
Notes for Cooking Time
I used 4-5 lbs. spiral boneless ham and cooked it for 15 minutes. According to how thick or large the ham is, the cooking time will vary from 15 to 25 minutes, and the natural pressure release will take about 25 minutes.
It takes around 13 minutes to heat up the pot and reach pressure. So in case, you need to extend the cooking time by a few minutes, give yourself some extra time.
If you are using ham that has not been cut yet, it will separate in a few spots around the bone. It will not fall apart at all. It will make it easier for you to slice it away from the bone before slicing it for serving. Keep the bone, if you like, to make soup later.
Ham that has not yet been cut will separate in a few places around the bone during the cooking process. When you slice it for serving, it will be simpler for you to do so after separating it from the bone. Keep the bone if you want to use it later to make soup.
Tips for Success
Here's how to make sure your instant pot pineapple brown sugar ham turns out perfect!
- Don't overcook. Make sure not to overcook your ham, or it will become dry and tough.
- Serve hot. Serve this dish while it's hot so the pineapple slices are still warm and the flavors are at their peak.
- Slice the ham. Slice the ham through all the way before cooking in the instant pot so that it is easier to serve.
Substitutions and Variations
- Try adding some maple syrup to the ham for an extra sweet flavor
- You can substitute white sugar or honey if you don't have brown sugar.
- For a savory twist, try adding some dijon mustard to the glaze.
- If you cannot find a spiral ham at your grocery store, you can use a whole ham or ham steak. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- You could also try using canned pineapple chunks or crushed pineapple if you cannot find the slices. Of course, you can use fresh pineapple slices as well.
What Other Types of Ham Could I Use?
Some other hams that you may want to try in your instant pot include:
- Smaller ham
- Uncut ham
- Regular ham
- Semi-boneless ham
You may also want to try the following flavors and toppings to make your ham even more delicious!
- Dark brown sugar
- Brown sugar glaze
- Maraschino cherries
Easy Sides for Pairing with Instant Pot Ham
If you want to keep things super simple, pair your instant pot pineapple ham with sliced potatoes or green beans. If you're up for putting in a little more effort, here are some easy side dish ideas that will go well with the flavors in this recipe:
- Corn casserole
- Cranberry sauce
- Dinner rolls
- Fruit salad
- Macaroni and cheese
- Mashed potatoes
- Potato casserole
- Roasted vegetables
- Salad
- Sweet potato casserole
- Sugar snap peas
- Honey carrots
- Cheesy hashbrowns
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Before storing leftover ham, it is not necessary to let it cool thoroughly, but you can if you wish. Store the ham in the fridge wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, foil, an airtight bag, or an airtight container.
Ways to Use Up Leftover Ham
There are so many delicious ways to use up leftover ham! Here are a few of our favorites:
- Ham and cheese sliders
- Ham and bean soup
- Ham and potato soup
- Ham salad
- Macaroni and cheese with ham
- Omelet with ham, cheese, and vegetables
- Scalloped potatoes with ham
- Stir-fry with ham, vegetables, and rice
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
Yes, you can! You may store it in a frost-free freezer for up to two months. However, long-term storage could cause freezer burn. Store your ham in the freezer for up to 6 months to prevent freezer burn.
FAQ's
A pre-cooked ham is exactly what its name implies. In the hands of the home cook, it only needs to be reheated to an appetizing serving temperature so that its flavor is at its best. It has already been fully cooked by baking, curing, or smoking. City ham is another name for this.
I advise 35 minutes of high pressure cooking for frozen ham in your instant pot. For this pineapple ham recipe, I recommend using an already-thawed ham.
In order to prevent your instant pot ham recipe from drying out during the cooking process, you will want to make sure that you have added enough moisture. If you do not feel that the pineapple juice adds enough, you could also try adding a bit of orange juice or some chicken broth.
You could also try using a foil boat to help lock in moisture and prevent your ham from burning on the bottom of your pot. Also, if you find that your ham turns out dry, you could try doing a natural release rather than a quick release the next time you cook your game in your electric pressure cooker.
More Instant Pot Recipes
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Instant Pot Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham
Ingredients
- 1 (4-5 pound) spiral cut boneless ham
- 1 can pineapple slices, with juice
- 1 cup light brown sugar
Instructions
- Line the Instant Pot with aluminum foil to make removal of the ham easier.
- Sprinkle half of the brown sugar on the bottom of the foil in the Instant Pot. Place the ham on top of the brown sugar.
- Arrange the pineapple slices over the ham. Pour the pineapple juice into the instant pot for the cooking liquid. If there isn't a full cup of liquid, add water to make up the difference. Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar on top of the ham.
- Secure the lid and set the venting valve to seal. Set the Instant Pot to HIGH for 15 minutes. It will take about 20 minutes for the Instant Pot to pressurize before it starts counting down the time.
- Once the timer goes over, do a quick release by turning the sealing knob to vent the pressure. Remove the ham and pineapple slices from the Instant Pot and serve immediately.
Notes
- Storage: Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days in an airtight container.
- Freezing: You may store it in a frost-free freezer for up to two months. However, long-term storage could cause freezer burn. Store your ham in the freezer for up to 6 months to prevent freezer burn.
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