Ever stood there begging your oven to hurry up? Yep. Me too. Especially when family’s hungry and supper’s running late. Instant Pot Golden Honey Pineapple Ham pretty much rescued my sanity last holiday—honestly, it might save yours too. You’ll get tender, sweet, beautiful ham in about a quarter of the usual time. And if you’ve never had juicy ham with a sticky honey pineapple glaze, oh buddy, you’re in for something amazing.
How to Cook Instant Pot Ham
So you’re ready to make Instant Pot Golden Honey Pineapple Ham? Take a sec and make sure your ham fits—because, lesson learned, shoving a ham in that pot just doesn’t end pretty. I usually grab a pre-cooked, spiral-cut ham (bone-in or boneless both work). Honestly, just buy whatever’s on sale.
Place your ham right into the pot—flat side down’s easiest for slicing later. Pour in about 1 to 1½ cups pineapple juice, so nothing scorches. I spoon the glaze over the top before I lock the lid. The Instant Pot does its thing—pressure cook 10 minutes per pound (ish), then let it sit naturally for another ten minutes. Foolproof if you just remember to baste after cooking, so you get a sticky, golden finish.
Swear, the whole thing always comes out falling-apart tender. Need more ham ideas? If you’re a true Instant Pot fanatic, check out some other ultra-easy dinners—believe me, this 30-minute BBQ pulled chicken hits the spot and keeps meals interesting all week.
The Glaze for Instant Pot Ham
OK, now for my favorite part: that thick, glossy glaze. You’ll want honey, brown sugar, a nice pour of pineapple juice (use the stuff you added earlier), plus a splash of Dijon and little squeeze of lemon if you have it. And if you ever accidentally dump in the whole jar of honey? Welcome to the club.
Sometimes, I make extra glaze in a skillet while the ham pressure-cooks. Simmer it, let it thicken, then spoon it over the ham before and after cooking. Seriously, this glaze smells like a five-star restaurant and gets slurped up by everyone at the table—kids go crazy for it. Want another easy glaze win? Level up your dinners with this French dip sandwich recipe—total crowd pleaser, trust me. 
“I never knew ham could be this juicy. The pineapple gives it a tangy twist, and the glaze is out-of-this-world. My picky eaters asked for seconds—and thirds!” — Melissa H.
Sides to Serve with Ham
Ham’s kind of a “make room and pile it high” situation—don’t get fussy. But if you need ideas, these hit every time:
- Creamy mashed potatoes (ooh, these Instant Pot mashed potatoes are a lifesaver for busy nights).
- Steamed green beans with way too much butter.
- Fluffy dinner rolls, perfect for sopping up glaze.
- Simple coleslaw for some crunch.
Actually, this ham pairs up so nicely with cozy chicken noodle soup for casual potlucks—try it some night when you want no-fuss sides.
Instant Pot Leftover Ham Recipes
Now, real talk. What do you actually do with all that leftover ham? (You know you’ll have some!) Instant Pot Golden Honey Pineapple Ham is one of those recipes that keeps on giving.
Chop it for easy ham and cheese omelets the next morning. Mix it with homemade strawberry jam on biscuits for a southern breakfast that’ll knock your socks off. Honestly, everyone in my house fights for the last piece. Ham’s also perfect in stews, on salads, or rolled up in wraps for quick lunches on the go.
It’s genius tossed in fried rice, too, especially if you use up your leftover Instant Pot brown rice. All the easy wins, honestly.
Tools for Making Instant Pot Ham
And about gear. You’ll need a solid Instant Pot (mine’s a 6-quart and it fits a small ham just right). Get a trivet if you like easy cleanup. Aluminum foil makes a good sling, in case wrestling cooked ham out is your idea of a good time (not mine).
Tongs and a sharp knife are non-negotiable for nice slices that don’t look like they got mauled. If you’re a kitchen gadget lover, try an instant-read thermometer for anxiety-free doneness checks. Want more ways to put your pot to work? Take a peek at all these cozy Instant Pot recipes to fill your week.
Common Questions
Q: Can I use a frozen ham in the Instant Pot?
A: Yup, just add some extra time. I take off the plastic and cook it 5-7 more minutes per pound.
Q: Does the ham need to be pre-cooked?
A: It actually works best with pre-cooked ham. Raw ham isn’t really Instant Pot-friendly.
Q: How do I keep the ham from drying out?
A: Make sure there’s enough liquid (pineapple juice does the trick) and don’t overcook it.
Q: How much honey should I use in the glaze?
A: About 1/4 cup for a classic sweetness—up that if you want it stickier.
Q: Can I make this recipe ahead?
A: Absolutely! Just reheat with extra glaze to keep everything juicy.
Ready to Rock Your Next Family Dinner?
If you’re craving that perfect comfort food with basically zero fuss, Instant Pot Golden Honey Pineapple Ham is your secret weapon. You’ll be shocked how fast dinner ends up on the table—like, genuinely shocked (no oven drama required). Grab the ingredients, start the pot, and block off some compliments.
Oh, and if you’re feeling extra inspired, the world of ham is huge—this Instant Pot Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham recipe is a sweet twist worth peeking at, too. Still hungry? Scope out even more creative Instant Pot ideas or quick and delicious shipwreck stew for flavor-packed nights. You’ve got this—time to eat happy!
Golden Honey Pineapple Ham
Ingredients
For the ham
- 1 piece pre-cooked, spiral-cut ham Bone-in or boneless both work.
- 1.5 cups pineapple juice To pour into the Instant Pot.
For the glaze
- 1/2 cup honey Adjust to taste for stickiness.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar For an added sweetness.
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice Use juice from cooking ham.
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard Adds flavor to the glaze.
- 1 tbsp lemon juice Optional for extra tang.
Instructions
Cooking the Ham
- Ensure your ham fits into the Instant Pot, placing it flat side down.
- Pour in 1 to 1½ cups of pineapple juice to prevent scorching.
- Spoon the glaze over the ham before locking the lid.
- Pressure cook for 10 minutes per pound, then let it sit naturally for another 10 minutes.
- Baste the ham after cooking for a sticky finish.
Making the Glaze
- In a skillet, combine honey, brown sugar, and pineapple juice.
- Add Dijon mustard and lemon juice, then simmer until thickened.
- Spoon the glaze over the ham both before and after cooking.
