The Instant Pot is the perfect tool for cooking a ham. It turns out warm, juicy and easy to to slice up for your family dinner. This no-fail recipe is so easy and you’ll love how the ham won’t get dried out when cooked in the Instant Pot!

Close up straight on shot of whole ham with a thick spiral slice on a marble board this recipe

How to cook ham in the Instant Pot

This method of cooking ham is actually really easy! Here are the steps:

  1. Add juice to the Instant Pot and place the trivet in the bottom.
  2. Place ham on the trivet. If needed, you can cut the ham in half to fit it in the pot.
  3. Cook for 13-23 minutes based on the size of the ham (see recipe step #2).
  4. Remove the ham and make the optional glaze while the ham rests on the cutting board.
  5. Slice up your ham and serve with the glaze!
Overhead shot of ham slices on a white plate with chopped parsley

A simple honey glaze

This recipe has an optional honey glaze that you definitely want to make if you enjoy a little sweet glaze on your ham. If you make it here are some tips:

  • Use apple or pineapple juice when cooking the ham.
  • Adjust the amount of honey used based on your desired sweetness. The 1/4 cup listed in the recipe only makes it slightly sweet. Definitely add more if you prefer a sweeter glaze.
  • Use cold water to make the slurry and mix it well. Pour it into the Instant pot immediately after mixing.
  • The glaze will thicken immediately after pouring in the slurry. It will thicken and cook down the longer you let it simmer.
Straight on shot of sliced whole ham with hand pouring honey glaze over the top

Benefits of cooking ham in the instant pot

I used to cook ham in the oven, and a lot of times it turned out dry and tough. When you cook it in the Instant Pot you get a tender and juicy ham with some additional benefits:

  1. You save space in the oven if you are cooking other items that you need the oven for.
  2. The Instant Pot “locks” the juices in so you won’t get a dry ham.
  3. You can use one pot to make both the ham and the glaze!
Overhead shot of sliced ham pieces on a plate with wilted greens and mushrooms and scalloped potatoes

What to serve with a pressure cooker ham

Here are some of our favorite things to serve up at a family gathering with a delicious ham:

Your turn to make an easy Instant Pot ham

Save space in the oven and cook your ham in the Instant Pot instead! We know you’ll love the flavor and be surprised by how quick and easy this recipe is.

If you make it, leave a comment and rating below to let us know how it goes. Also, take a pic to share on Instagram. Tag us @realsimplegood so we can check it out, we love to see what you’re cooking!

Close up straight on shot of whole ham with a thick spiral slice on a marble board with text overlay at top

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Overhead shot of ham slices on a white plate with chopped parsley and text overlay at top
4.91 from 10 ratings
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Easy 2-Ingredient Instant Pot Ham

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 55 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 8
This no-fail recipe is so easy and you'll love how the ham turns out perfectly cooked and juicy when made in the Instant Pot!
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Ingredients

  • 1 fully cooked, bone in ham, (4-9 lbs, see cooking times below)
  • 1 cup apple or pineapple juice, (can sub water, but only if you don't make the glaze)

For the optional honey glaze (omit for Whole30 + Keto)

  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp arrowroot starch, (can sub corn starch)
  • 1/4 cup water

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Add juice to the Instant Pot and place the trivet in the pot. Place the ham on the trivet and close the lid and the pressure valve.
  • Cook the ham on manual mode at high pressure:
    4-5 lb ham: 13 minutes + 20 minutes Natural Release
    6-7 lb ham: 18 minutes + 20 minutes Natural Release
    8-9 lb ham: 23 minutes + 20 minutes Natural Release
    Reminder: These cooking times are for a fully cooked bone-in uncut ham
  • After the cooking cycle has ended, allow the pressure to naturally release for 20 minutes as noted. After the 20 minutes, carefully release any remaining pressure.
  • Remove the ham and place it on a cutting board. Slice and serve or continue on with the glaze instructions.

If making the optional glaze (omit for Whole30 + Keto):

  • Once the ham has been removed from the Instant Pot, add the honey and dijon mustard to the leftover juices in the pot and stir to mix the ingredients.
  • Press the Saute button on the Instant Pot. While the juices start to cook mix the arrowroot starch with the water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Make sure the flour has completely mixed with the water.
  • Pour the slurry into the Instant Pot and mix well with the other juices. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5-6 minutes or until the glaze has thickened to your liking.
  • Press the cancel button on the Instant Pot. You can either use the glaze to brush all over the ham before slicing, drizzle it all over the ham slices for serving, or use it on the side for dipping pieces in.

Last Step:

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Notes

  • This recipe and cooking times above are for a fully cooked bone-in, uncut ham.
  • The total “cook time” at the top of the recipe card is for a 4-5 lb ham. This total cooking time includes time for the Instant Pot to pressurize + the natural release + making the glaze. Follow recipe step #2 for the exact times to set the Instant Pot to based on the size of your ham.
  • Depending on the size of your ham and your Instant Pot, you may need to cut it in half to make it fit. Just cut the pieces as evenly as possible and follow the cooking times noted.
Nutrition facts are per serving and an estimate provided for those following a Ketogenic or low-carb diet.  Facts do not include the optional honey glaze for this recipe and omit the apple/pineapple juice because it is discarded after cooking. See our full nutrition information disclosure here.
Calories: 338kcal, Protein: 43g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 4g
Course: Main Course
Author: Justin Winn
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Tag @realsimplegood with hashtag #realsimplegood on Instagram. We love to see what you make!
Easy 2-Ingredient Instant Pot HamEasy 2-Ingredient Instant Pot HamEasy 2-Ingredient Instant Pot Ham
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