Spiral Ham in the Instant Pot is a great way to get your holiday ham heated through quickly without having to use the stove. Save yourself time and effort!
If you can find a ham that will fit in your Instant Pot, this is a great way to heat up your ham for a holiday dinner. It’s very quick and efficient and you can still use the glaze for extra flavor.
It’s now my preferred method for heating a pre-cooked spiral ham. So simple.
Why You’ll Love It
- Quick Preparation: Heating spiral ham in the Instant Pot allows you to spend less time in the kitchen, with just 5 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking time.
- Sweet Perfection: Enjoy the tender and flavorful layers of spiral ham bathed in a sweet and tangy citrus glaze. The remaining glaze can be drizzled over the ham slices for an extra burst of flavor.
- Frees up the oven: Using the Instant Pot for the ham frees up the oven to cook other parts of your meal.
»You might also like Instant Pot Kalua Pork and Cabbage.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Spiral Ham – Choose a high-quality spiral ham that fits inside your Instant Pot. You’ll typically find great deals on ham during and around the holidays.
- Orange Juice – Freshly squeezed or store-bought; choose 100% pure orange juice for a vibrant citrus flavor.
- Apple Juice – Don’t get sugar-free or reduced sugar, as that’s what makes the glaze so tasty.
- Brown Sugar – The brown sugar helps thicken and sweeten the glaze.
- Honey – Maple syrup is also an acceptable alternative to add a layer of rich sweetness to the dish.
- Water – The Instant Pot needs at least 1 cup of water to build pressure.
Equipment Needed
- Instant Pot – I use a 6-quart Instant Pot Duo Plus to make all of my recipes, but you can use any size or brand of electric pressure cooker. If you’re using an 8-quart pot, you will need to adjust the amount of liquid accordingly, as it requires more water to build steam.
- Trivet
Helpful Tips
- Be sure you measure and know that the ham you buy fits inside your Instant Pot.
- Use the spice packet that comes with most spiral hams to enhance the flavor of the glaze. It often includes ingredients like clove, cinnamon, and orange zest.
- For a caramelized and slightly crispy exterior, transfer the ham to a baking sheet and broil in the oven for a few minutes after pressure cooking.
- Allow the ham to rest for a few minutes so the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender result.
How to Make Spiral Ham in the Instant Pot
Step 1: Glaze the ham
Make sure your ham fits inside your Instant Pot! This is the biggest mistake I’ve made in the past. I had to cut one down to fit it. Hams fit much better in an 8-quart Instant Pot than a 6-quart.
Place the trivet with handles into the inner pot. Pour the water in. Spread out a large piece of tin foil. Place the ham in the middle of the foil. Fold up the sides of the foil to make a bowl.
Mix together the orange juice, apple juice, brown sugar and honey. You can also add some of the glaze packet that comes with most spiral hams, if you want. I think it adds a lot of nuance of flavor. Pour the glaze slowly over the ham, making sure it stays within the foil.
Fold the foil over the top of the ham. Carefully place the ham onto the trivet.
Step 2: Pressure Cook
Close and lock the lid. Set the pressure release valve to the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow for a 10-minute natural pressure release, then release any remaining pressure.
Carefully remove the ham from the pot and rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. If you want to get a more caramelized glaze, put the ham on a baking sheet and put it under the broiler for 5-8 minutes.
How to Store & Reheat
Store leftover spiral ham in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Consume the leftover ham within 3 to 4 days for optimal taste and quality.
Reheating
Microwave: For smaller portions, use the microwave at 50% power to avoid drying out the ham. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
Oven: For larger quantities, reheat in a preheated oven at 325°F(165°C). Cover the ham with foil to prevent it from drying out. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches at least 140°F(60°C). Baste the ham with some of the reserved glaze or juices to add moisture and flavor. For a crispier exterior, broil briefly after reheating in the oven. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
If possible, slice the ham before reheating to ensure even warming throughout.
What to Serve It With
You can serve this dish with any side dish you like. That’s the best part – they go with everything.
Try serving them with these sides that you can also make in the Instant Pot:
Questions About the Recipe
Is it necessary to use a trivet?
Using a trivet elevates the ham to keep it out of the water and to make sure the glaze stays in the foil. It also makes it much easier to remove the ham when it’s done, because you can use the handles of the trivet.
Is spiral ham pre-cooked?
Spiral ham is almost always pre-cooked and does not need to be cooked from raw, thus the short amount of cooking time in this recipe. All you need to do is reheat it. To make sure, always check the packaging that the ham comes in to ensure it says it’s pre-cooked.
How do I prevent the ham from drying out during reheating?
When cooking the ham in the Instant Pot, you don’t really have to worry about it drying out because the steam and the wet glaze will prevent it.
Before You Go
Since you made it to the end of this article, you might want to see a few ways to use leftover ham. Here are a few more articles we think you might enjoy.
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Spiral Ham in the Instant Pot
Note: Made in a 6-qt Instant Pot
Equipment
- Tinfoil
Ingredients
- 3 pound (1 kg) spiral ham
- 1/4 cup (59 ml) orange juice
- 1/4 cup (59 ml) apple juice
- 1/4 cup (55 g) brown sugar
- 1/8 cup (30 ml) honey or maple syrup
- 3-5 tablespoons (44 ml) of the glaze packet optional
- 1 cup (237 ml) water
Instructions
- Place the trivet with handles into the inner pot. Pour the water in.
- Mix together the orange juice, apple juice, brown sugar and honey.
- Spread out a large piece of tin foil. Place the ham in the middle of the foil.
- Fold up the sides of the foil to make a bowl.
- Pour the glaze slowly over the ham, making sure it stays within the foil.
- Fold the foil over the top of the ham. Carefully place the ham onto the trivet.
- Close and lock the lid. Set the pressure release valve to the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow for a 10-minute natural pressure release, then release any remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the ham from the pot and rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Be sure you measure and know that the ham you buy fits inside your Instant Pot.
- Use the spice packet that comes with most spiral hams to enhance the flavor of the glaze. It often includes ingredients like clove, cinnamon, and orange zest.
- For a caramelized and slightly crispy exterior, transfer the ham to a baking sheet and broil in the oven for a few minutes after pressure cooking.
- Allow the ham to rest for a few minutes so the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender result.
Nutrition
Laura is a passionate home cook and the owner of A Pressure Cooker Kitchen. She is dedicated to helping people create delicious Instant Pot meals with ease. Laura is an expert at developing recipes that can be prepared quickly and easily using a pressure cooker.