Tiffany Haney
Cooking ham in an Instant Pot is a great way to free up your oven for other dishes. It's also a quick and easy way to cook ham, with most recipes taking under an hour. You can use a bone-in or boneless ham, but it needs to fit in your Instant Pot, so you may need to cut it in half or trim the sides. Most recipes involve creating a glaze with ingredients such as brown sugar, maple syrup, orange juice, and mustard, and searing the ham in butter after cooking gives it a crispy, browned skin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of ham | Bone-in, boneless, or spiral-sliced |
| Size | Ensure the ham fits in your Instant Pot |
| Timing | 30-35 minutes at high pressure |
| Temperature | 145ºF (63ºC) for fresh ham, 140ºF (60ºC) for pre-cooked ham |
| Glaze | Brown sugar, maple syrup, orange juice, or pineapple |
| Seasonings | Mustard, cornstarch, or butter |
| Benefits | Juicy, flavorful, and faster than traditional oven methods |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking times and temperatures
When cooking ham in an Instant Pot, the cooking time will depend on the size of the ham and the power of your Instant Pot. A larger ham will need to be cut to fit into the pot, and the cooking time will need to be adjusted accordingly. As a general rule, boneless hams should be cooked for 8 minutes per pound. For example, a 6-pound boneless ham should be cooked for about 48 minutes.
The Instant Pot will also need time to build up pressure before the cooking time starts. This can take around 10 minutes, but it may be longer if the ham is fridge-cold. The ham should then be cooked on high pressure for 15–35 minutes, depending on its size. Smaller pieces (around 3 inches) should be cooked for less time, while larger pieces may need a little longer.
After the cooking time is complete, the pressure should be released naturally for 10–20 minutes. If the ham isn't tender enough, it can be cooked for another 5–10 minutes. The ham should then be removed from the pot and allowed to rest for 5–10 minutes before carving.
The internal temperature of the ham is a good indicator of doneness. The ham should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) to be fully heated through. An instant-read thermometer can be used to check this.
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Glazing and seasoning
The first step is to prepare the glaze. A honey glaze is a popular choice, with a combination of honey, brown sugar, and pineapple juice. You can also add in Dijon mustard, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and other spices of your choice. Mix these ingredients together in a bowl.
Next, prepare the ham. If your ham is sliced, separate the slices so that the glaze can penetrate. Then, paint the glaze onto the ham with a pastry brush or spoon, making sure to cover all sides. You can also pour crushed pineapple over the ham and sprinkle with brown sugar, drizzling with maple syrup.
If you wish to pressure cook your ham on a trivet above water, wrap the glazed ham in foil. This helps the ham absorb the glaze and prevents a burn notice. If your ham is 6 pounds or larger, you may need to double the glaze.
Finally, place the ham in the Instant Pot. If your ham is too large, you may need to cut it in half and cook the two pieces separately.
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Trimming and slicing
It is preferable to not trim the fat and rind before cooking. Instead, place the ham with these sides facing downwards in the pot, so you can trim the dark edges off after cooking. If you trim the fat and rind before cooking, the ham may dry out, especially if it is spiral-sliced. Spiral-sliced hams are best avoided unless you have no other option, as they tend to dry out easily.
If you prefer not to cut up the ham, you can cook a whole ham in the Insta Pot. However, this may require a larger pot, such as an 8-quart Duo Instant Pot, and the cooking time will be longer, at around 8 minutes per pound.
After cooking, remove the ham from the Insta Pot carefully and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute and the ham to cool slightly, making it easier to handle. You can then slice or shred the ham as desired.
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Bone-in vs boneless
You can cook a ham in an Instapot, and it turns out juicy and flavourful in a fraction of the time it takes to cook it in the oven. You can use a bone-in or boneless ham, as long as it fits in your Instapot. If it doesn't fit, you can cut the ham in half and cook the halves separately.
Bone-in hams are said to retain more moisture and provide a deeper flavour than boneless hams. A whole bone-in ham consists of a hip bone and a leg bone. A semi-boneless ham has the hip joint (shank) removed, leaving a smaller bit of the leg bone, which makes carving easier.
If you are cooking a boneless ham, it is recommended to cook for 8 minutes per pound, as they come in a variety of sizes. For bone-in hams, a good estimate is 3/4 pound per person, whereas for boneless hams, 1/2 pound per person is sufficient.
Bone-in hams can be cooked in about an hour in an Instapot, and the pressure should be released naturally for about 20 minutes. The ham should then be covered in foil and left to sit for 5-10 minutes before carving.
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Pressure release
When cooking with an Instant Pot, pressure will build up inside the cooker, which will need to be released at the end of the cooking process. There are two methods for releasing pressure: the natural release method and the quick release method.
Natural Release Method
The natural release method allows the pressure to slowly decrease over time. Once the cooking is done, turn off the Instant Pot and allow it to sit undisturbed for 10 to 25 minutes. The Instant Pot will gradually release pressure and steam as it cools down. The floating valve will start to lower as the pressure decreases, indicating that it is safe to open the lid. It is important to never force the lid open, as it will not open until the pressure is low enough. The natural release method is recommended for delicate foods or recipes that require a longer cooking time.
Quick Release Method
The quick release method releases all of the pressure at once and should only be used for recipes that do not require extended cooking times or delicate foods. After the cooking is complete, turn off the Instant Pot and use a long-handled utensil to carefully move the steam valve from the sealing to the venting position. The steam will rapidly escape through the valve, and it may take a few seconds for all of it to be released. Once all the steam has been released, you can safely open the Instant Pot. It is important to exercise caution when using the quick-release method, as hot steam will escape quickly.
It is important to follow the correct pressure release method based on the type of food being cooked. The Instant Pot is a versatile appliance that can cook a variety of dishes, but understanding how to safely and properly release pressure is crucial for a positive cooking experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook ham in an Instapot.
The ham should fit inside your Instapot. You may need to cut the ham or trim the fat and rind before cooking to ensure it fits. A bone-in ham will fit a 6-8 qt. Instapot, with some trimming.
It takes around 10 minutes for an Instapot to come to full pressure. The ham then takes 10-35 minutes to cook, depending on its size. You should then let the pressure release naturally for 10-20 minutes.
The internal temperature of the ham should reach 145ºF. An instant-read thermometer can be used to check this.
A pressure cooker keeps the ham moist and juicy. You can glaze the ham by broiling it for a few minutes after cooking. A bone-in ham will add more flavour. You can also sear the ham in butter after cooking to add a crispy, browned skin.
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