Tillie Doyle
Cooking ham in an Instapot is a great way to save time and oven space, especially during the holidays. The pressure cooker ensures the ham stays moist and juicy, and you can also use the pot to make a glaze. Before you start, make sure your ham fits into your Instapot, and that it's not spiral sliced, as these tend to dry out. You can use a bone-in or boneless ham, but bone-in hams take a little longer to cook. For a simple glaze, combine pineapple juice, honey, and brown sugar, and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cookware | Multi-functional pressure cooker |
| Ham type | Frozen, boneless, unsliced, spiral-sliced |
| Ham weight | 4-8 pounds |
| Cook time | 8-23 minutes |
| Glaze | Honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, mustard, cranberry sauce, orange zest, cinnamon |
| Sides | Bread rolls, potato soup, ham salad |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right ham
Size: Ensure that the ham fits into your Instapot. The size of Instapots varies, ranging from 6-quart to 8 or 9-quart capacities. Select a ham that fits comfortably inside your pot. If needed, you can cut the ham in half to make it fit, but it's best to choose a ham that requires minimal trimming.
Weight: The cooking time for ham in an Instapot is often determined by its weight. Most recipes suggest cooking for 2-3 minutes per pound on high pressure. Therefore, a larger ham will take longer to cook. Choose a ham size that aligns with the number of servings you need and the time you can dedicate to the cooking process.
Bone-in or Boneless: You can use either a bone-in or boneless ham in an Instapot. Bone-in hams offer a more authentic flavour and are typically sold as whole or semi-boneless. Semi-boneless hams have the hip joint (shank) removed, making carving easier. Boneless hams are more convenient for even cooking and ensuring the meat stays juicy. Consider your preference for convenience versus flavour when making your choice.
Sliced or Unsliced: Spiral-sliced hams are pre-cut, making them convenient for serving. However, they tend to dry out quickly, especially in the Instapot. Unsliced hams are a better option if you want to retain moisture and flavour. They take slightly longer to cook but yield juicier results.
Fresh or Pre-cooked: Fresh hams require a longer cooking time to ensure they reach the safe internal temperature for consumption. Pre-cooked hams, often labelled as "fully cooked," only need to be warmed up, making them a faster option. Choose according to the time you have available and your preferred level of convenience.
By considering the size, weight, bone-in or boneless option, sliced or unsliced preference, and whether you want a fresh or pre-cooked ham, you can select the right ham for cooking in your Instapot. Remember to refer to specific Instapot ham recipes for additional guidance on choosing and preparing your ham.
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Preparing the glaze
A simple glaze can be made with honey, brown sugar, and mustard. You can also add fruit juices, such as pineapple or apple juice, to give it a tangy flavour. For a festive touch, add orange zest and juice, along with a pinch of cinnamon.
To make the glaze, you can use the leftover juices from cooking the ham. Bring these to a boil in the Instant Pot and simmer, stirring as needed, until the liquid is reduced by half. You can then add other ingredients like honey, brown sugar, and mustard, and stir to combine. If you want a thicker glaze, you can make a slurry by mixing corn starch with cold water and pouring it into the glaze. The longer you let the glaze simmer, the thicker it will become.
Once your glaze is ready, cover the ham with it, and it's ready to serve!
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Cooking time and pressure
The cooking time and pressure depend on the size of your ham and your Instant Pot. It is important to ensure that your ham fits into your Instant Pot. The size of Instant Pots varies, with some being 6 quarts, 6.5 quarts, or 8 or 9 quarts.
For a 4-5 pound ham, the total cooking time, including the time for the Instant Pot to pressurize, the natural release, and making the glaze, is 13-23 minutes. If using a bone-in ham, add 2 additional minutes to account for the bone. For an 8-quart Instant Pot, a 7-8 pound ham should fit.
For sliced ham, cook for 2 minutes per pound on high pressure, plus time to account for the foil. If using heavy-duty foil, add 10 minutes to the total time, and for regular foil, add 5 minutes. For unsliced ham, cook for 3 minutes per pound on high pressure, plus time for the foil. Similar to sliced ham, if using heavy-duty foil, add 10 minutes, and for regular foil, add 5 minutes.
Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release fully on its own (this is about 10-15 minutes). Then, let the ham rest for at least 15 minutes before releasing pressure. After releasing pressure, check the internal temperature to ensure the ham is warmed to at least 145°Fahrenheit. If not, cook for an additional 3-5 minutes on high pressure.
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Natural pressure release
After the cooking cycle is complete, you should initiate the natural pressure release process. This typically takes around 10 to 20 minutes. During this time, the pressure will slowly decrease, and the ham will continue to cook gently. This gradual release of pressure helps retain moisture in the meat, resulting in a tender and juicy ham.
The duration of the natural pressure release can vary depending on the size of the ham and the specific model of your Instant Pot. For larger hams or different pot models, the release time may be longer. It's important to refer to your Instant Pot's instructions or a reliable recipe to determine the appropriate release time for your specific case.
Once the natural pressure release is complete, you can carefully release any remaining pressure manually. At this point, you can open the lid and proceed with removing the ham from the Instant Pot. It's important to exercise caution during this step to avoid any potential scalding from the steam.
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Resting and serving
Once the ham has been cooked in the Instant Pot, it is important to let it rest before serving. This helps to keep the ham juicy and tender. The ham should be removed from the Instant Pot and the foil wrapping (if used) taken off, reserving any cooking liquid that has accumulated inside the foil. The ham should then be placed on a cutting board or platter and left to rest for at least 5-10 minutes before carving or slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and the meat to relax, ensuring a more tender and flavourful end product.
While the ham is resting, you can make a glaze or sauce to accompany it. Many Instant Pot ham recipes include a glaze made with honey, brown sugar, mustard, and/or fruit juices like pineapple or apple juice. To make a glaze, the reserved cooking liquid can be used. By boiling and reducing this liquid, a flavourful sauce is created that can be drizzled over the sliced ham before serving. Cornstarch or arrowroot starch can be added to the glaze to thicken it. Alternatively, a simple honey glaze can be made by boiling and reducing honey with some fruit juice.
If you are reheating a cooked ham in the Instant Pot, it is still important to let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This ensures that the ham is heated through evenly and allows the flavours to meld. The resting time for reheated ham is usually shorter, around 2-5 minutes, as the goal is to bring the ham to a safe temperature for consumption, which is typically 145°F.
When serving the ham, it can be sliced and arranged on a platter, drizzled with the glaze or sauce, and garnished with fresh herbs or other desired toppings. Side dishes such as roasted vegetables, potatoes, or bread rolls can accompany the ham. Leftover ham can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and is great for sandwiches or added to soups, salads, or other recipes.
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Frequently asked questions
The size of the ham depends on the size of your Instant Pot. For example, a 6-quart Instant Pot can fit a ham of around 6 pounds, while an 8-quart Instant Pot can fit a 7-8 pound ham.
You can cook ham in an Instant Pot with just pineapple juice and water. However, many recipes call for a glaze made with ingredients like brown sugar, honey, mustard, or fruit juices to enhance the flavour and moisture of the ham.
The cooking time depends on the size of the ham. A good rule of thumb is to cook for 2 minutes per pound for sliced ham or 3 minutes per pound for unsliced ham. For example, a 6-pound ham will take around 12 minutes to cook.
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