Ham And Hot Pot: A Match Made In Heaven

How to Make Ham in a Hot Pot

Making ham in a hot pot is a great way to enjoy a delicious meal with minimal effort. Here's a simple guide to help you create a mouthwatering ham that will impress your family and friends.

First, choose the right ham for your hot pot. Opt for a fully cooked, boneless, and pre-sliced ham to ensure even cooking and easy serving. Consider the size of your hot pot and the number of servings you need when selecting the ham.

Before placing the ham into the hot pot, you can season it with your favourite spices, such as salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or get creative with herbs and spices. You can also add a liquid to the hot pot, such as water, broth, or apple juice, to create steam and prevent the ham from drying out.

Now, it's time to cook the ham! Place the seasoned ham into the hot pot, ensuring it's sitting on a trivet or a raised platform to prevent it from sitting directly in the liquid. Set the cooking time, allowing about 5 minutes per pound for a fully cooked ham.

Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the hot pot to naturally release pressure for about 10-15 minutes to retain moisture and tenderness. Then, carefully open the steam release valve and remove the lid.

Your ham is now ready to be served! Remove it from the hot pot using oven mitts or tongs and place it on a cutting board or serving platter. Allow the ham to rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your juicy and flavourful ham! You can also get creative with glazes and experiment with different seasonings to add unique flavours to your ham.

Choosing the right ham

• Opt for a fully cooked, boneless, and pre-sliced ham: Fully cooked hams are more convenient and ensure even cooking. Boneless hams allow for more even cooking and easier slicing. Pre-sliced hams heat more quickly and evenly, making serving a breeze.
• Consider the size of your hot pot and the number of servings: Determine the appropriate size of ham by considering how many people you plan to serve and ensuring it fits your hot pot.
• Look for a ham that fits your flavour preferences: You can choose from various options, such as Honey Baked Ham, spiral-cut ham, or a simple glazed or unglazed ham.
• Check the ingredients and spices used: Some hams may have additional ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or brown sugar, which can enhance the flavour. Choose the one that suits your taste preferences.
• Ensure proper packaging and storage: Make sure the ham is packaged properly and has a long shelf life. Check the expiration date and storage instructions to ensure freshness.
• Compare prices: If you're buying from a grocery store or butcher, compare prices to get the best deal, especially if you're purchasing a larger quantity.

Preparing your instant pot

Now that you have chosen the perfect ham for your Instant Pot, it's time to prepare the appliance for cooking. Follow these simple steps to ensure your Instant Pot is ready to go:

Cleaning the Instant Pot

Before using your Instant Pot, it's important to give it a thorough cleaning. Wash the inner pot, lid, and any accessories with warm soapy water. Rinse well and dry completely before proceeding with the cooking process. This will help remove any residue or odors from previous use.

Assembling the Instant Pot

Once your Instant Pot is clean and dry, it's time to put it together. Place the inner pot into the base and ensure that the sealing ring is properly in place. Check that the steam release handle is in the sealing position—this will create a tight seal and prevent any steam from escaping during cooking.

Adding Liquid to the Instant Pot

Add a liquid to the Instant Pot to create steam and prevent the ham from drying out. You can use water, broth, apple juice, or any other flavorful liquid. Pour in enough liquid to cover the bottom of the pot, but be careful not to submerge the ham completely.

Seasoning the Ham

Before placing the ham into the Instant Pot, you can season it with your favorite spices and flavors. This could be as simple as rubbing the ham with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or you can get creative with a variety of herbs and spices. It's your choice!

Placing the Ham in the Instant Pot

Carefully place the seasoned ham into the Instant Pot, ensuring that it sits on a trivet or a raised platform. This will prevent the ham from sitting directly in the liquid and becoming soggy. If your Instant Pot didn't come with a trivet, you can use a heat-safe dish or a makeshift platform made of aluminum foil.

Preparing the ham

Firstly, you will need to choose the right type of ham. For a hot pot, it is best to opt for a fully cooked, boneless, and pre-sliced ham. This will ensure even cooking and easy serving. The size of the ham should also be considered, depending on the size of your hot pot and the number of servings you need.

Once you have selected your ham, it is time to prepare your hot pot appliance for cooking. Clean the inner pot, lid, and any accessories with warm soapy water and dry them completely before use. Assemble the appliance by placing the inner pot into the base and ensuring the sealing ring is properly in place. You may also need to place a trivet or raised platform inside the pot to prevent the ham from sitting directly in any liquid and becoming soggy.

Before placing the ham into the hot pot, you can choose to season it with your desired spices and flavours. This could be as simple as rubbing the ham with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or you can get creative with herbs and spices. You can also apply a glaze to your ham before cooking. To do this, brush the glaze onto the ham and proceed with the cooking process.

Now it's time to add liquid to the hot pot to create steam and prevent the ham from drying out. You can use water, broth, apple juice, or any other flavourful liquid. Pour enough liquid into the pot to cover the bottom, but be careful not to submerge the ham completely.

Finally, carefully place the seasoned ham into the hot pot, ensuring it is sitting on the trivet or raised platform. Secure the lid and set the cooking time according to the size of your ham. For a fully cooked ham, a general rule of thumb is to cook it for 5 minutes per pound. For example, a 6-pound ham would be cooked for 30 minutes. Remember to allow for natural pressure release after the cooking time has elapsed to retain the ham's moisture and tenderness.

Cooking the ham in the instant pot

Now that your ham is seasoned and the instant pot is prepared, it's time to start the cooking process. Follow these steps to ensure your ham is heated to perfection:

Place the ham in the instant pot: Carefully place the seasoned ham into the instant pot, ensuring that it is sitting on a trivet or a raised platform. This will prevent the ham from sitting directly in the liquid and becoming soggy. If your instant pot did not come with a trivet, you can use a heat-safe dish or a makeshift platform made of aluminum foil.

Setting the cooking time: Secure the lid and set the cooking time. For a fully cooked ham, a good rule of thumb is to cook it for 5 minutes per pound. For example, if you have a 6-pound ham, set the cooking time to 30 minutes. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size and thickness of your ham.

Allowing for natural pressure release: After the cooking time has elapsed, allow the instant pot to naturally release the pressure for about 10-15 minutes. This will help the ham retain its moisture and tenderness. Once the pressure has been released, carefully open the steam release valve to release any remaining pressure before removing the lid.

Checking the internal temperature: To ensure that your ham is heated to the proper internal temperature, use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The ham should reach an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C) for safe consumption.

Removing the ham from the instant pot: Using oven mitts or tongs, carefully remove the ham from the instant pot and place it on a cutting board or serving platter. Allow the ham to rest for a few minutes before slicing to let the juices redistribute and the flavors meld together.

Slicing and serving the ham: Once the ham has rested, use a sharp knife to slice it to your desired thickness. Arrange the slices on a serving platter and garnish with fresh herbs or a glaze if desired. Serve the ham warm and enjoy!

Tips and tricks for cooking ham in an instant pot:

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure your ham reaches the safe internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
• Add a flavorful glaze to the ham before placing it in the instant pot. Simply brush the glaze onto the ham and proceed with the cooking process as usual.
• Save the cooking liquid leftover in the instant pot to use as a base for soups, stews, or gravies.
• Experiment with different combinations of herbs, spices, and marinades to add unique flavors to your ham. From honey mustard to pineapple glaze, the possibilities are endless!

Serving the ham

Once your ham is cooked, carefully remove it from the Instant Pot and place it on a cutting board or serving platter. Allow the ham to rest for a few minutes before slicing to let the juices redistribute and the flavours meld together.

If you want to add a glaze to your ham, now is the time. Brush the glaze onto the ham and put it back into the Instant Pot to cook. Alternatively, you can put the ham in the oven to finish it off.

When the ham is ready, use a sharp knife to slice it to your desired thickness. Arrange the slices on a serving platter and garnish with fresh herbs or a glaze if you desire. Serve the ham warm and enjoy!

If you have any leftover ham, wrap it tightly and store it in the fridge for up to three days. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to two months.

Frequently asked questions