Pressure Cooker Brown Sugar Ham made in about 30 minutes. Break out that Instant Pot & make the best holiday ham, no oven required. So easy!
Yep- you read that right. You can make your holiday ham right in your pressure cooker in just about 30 minutes, and that includes the natural release time.
Gina’s Recipe Rundown:
Texture: Instant Pot brown sugar ham has a tender, juicy texture thanks to the pressure cooking method.
Taste: The glaze seeps into the ham, especially if spiral-sliced, making each bite sweet, salty, juicy, and super flavorful.
Ease: Instant Pot brown sugar ham is super easy to make—definitely weeknight or holiday-friendly!
Why I love it: That sweet brown sugar glaze + salty ham = addictive combo. It’s got that “I’ll just have one more bite…” magic.
I’m telling you this Pressure Cooker Brown Sugar Ham is not only simple but incredibly delicious too.
With all the things to do on the morning of a holiday, the last thing you want to do is be in the kitchen doing a bunch of prep work.
I know I would rather be spending time with my family, not cooking. Plus, if I can find a way to not turn on the oven, all the better.
This post contains some affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
- Gina’s Recipe Rundown:
- Pressure Cooker Ham FAQs
- Do I have to wrap the ham in foil?
- Are there any special tips for cooking a brown sugar ham?
- What is the best way to store leftover ham?
- What is the best way to reheat a ham?
- Why use a shallow container to store the leftovers?
- What is the difference between a brown sugar ham and a regular ham?
- How do you cook a precooked ham in the oven?
- Here are my favorite Instant Pot Tools and Accessories!
- Is it better to bake a ham covered or uncovered?
- How long does it take to cook a ham in the oven?
- HOW DO YOU MAKE Pressure Cooker Brown Sugar Ham?
- Can you reheat a ham that has been cooked?
- Is it necessary to use a specific type of pressure cooker?
- Don’t miss these other awesome recipes with ham
- Can this be made in the slow cooker?
- Looking for more great recipes to pair with this ham?
So I created this super quick & easy recipe to make that ham just as delicious as it is when you bake it for hours, only this one will be done before you know it.
I literally had just enough time to wash the breakfast dishes and pour myself a beverage & this ham was ready to enjoy.
Pressure Cooker Ham FAQs
Do I have to wrap the ham in foil?
The foil really helps to contain all the ingredients you will be spreading all over your ham. If you try to make this without the foil, all those ingredients will melt & just sit at the bottom of your pot while the ham cooks.
So I highly encourage you to not skip the foil when making this recipe.
Are there any special tips for cooking a brown sugar ham?
Some tips for cooking a brown sugar ham include: using a meat thermometer to ensure that the ham is cooked through, basting the ham with the glaze every 30 minutes, and letting the ham rest for 20 minutes before carving.
What is the best way to store leftover ham?
Place any leftovers in a shallow airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 4 days. To reheat, portion out into individual servings and microwave until hot.
*note – it is normal for the fats and oils to separate once it has been refrigerated. You can either scrape that off the ham before serving again – or you can leave it for flavor. It will melt and dissolve once the ham is reheated.
What is the best way to reheat a ham?
You can reheat a ham by cooking it in the oven at a low temperature, or by slicing it and reheating it in a pan. If you are reheating a pre-cooked ham, you will need to cook it for about 10 minutes per pound.
If you are reheating a ham that has been cooked, you will only need to cook it for about 5 minutes per pound. You can also reheat a ham by slicing it and reheating it in a pan.
Why use a shallow container to store the leftovers?
Well, when the container is shallow, the contents chill faster than if you were to use a large, deep container. Ideally, you don’t want it to take too long for the leftovers to get to their chilled/stored temperature.
As I mentioned, if the food remains above about 35 degrees for more than 1 hour after cooking, the bacteria starts to grow.
What is the difference between a brown sugar ham and a regular ham?
The difference between a brown sugar ham and a regular ham is that a brown sugar ham is coated with brown sugar and honey glaze.
How do you cook a precooked ham in the oven?
To cook a precooked ham in the oven, you will need to cook it for about 10 minutes per pound.
Here are my favorite Instant Pot Tools and Accessories!
- Instant Pot
- 5-Piece Accessory Set
- 3-Piece Bundt Pan Bundle Set
- Stackable Stainless Steal Insert Steamer Pans
- Glass Lid and Sealing Rings
Is it better to bake a ham covered or uncovered?
It is better to bake a ham covered.
How long does it take to cook a ham in the oven?
It takes about 10 minutes per pound to cook a ham in the oven.
HOW DO YOU MAKE Pressure Cooker Brown Sugar Ham?
- Combine brown sugar, mustard, balsamic vinegar & honey in a small bowl. Whisk to combine & set aside.
- Next, place the ham on a large piece of foil & make slices halfway through the ham if this isn’t already done.
- Then spread the brown sugar mixture over the ham to coat.
- Close the foil around the ham to completely cover.
- Place the ham on the trivet in the cooker pot.
- Add 1-1/2 cups of water to the pot.
- Close the lid & cook on manual for 18 minutes.
- Natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release.
- Remove the ham & let rest in the foil for 5 minutes.
- Then remove the ham from the foil & transfer it to the serving platter.
- Pour out the water from the pot & pour the liquid from the foil into the pot.
- Add pineapple juice, remaining water & cornstarch to the pot.
- Cook on sautee, whisking frequently until mixture has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Drizzle over the top of the ham prior to serving.
Can you reheat a ham that has been cooked?
Yes, you can reheat a ham that has been cooked. You can reheat a ham by cooking it in the oven at a low temperature, or by slicing it and reheating it in a pan.
If you are reheating a pre-cooked ham, you will need to cook it for about 10 minutes per pound. If you are reheating a ham that has been cooked, you will only need to cook it for about 5 minutes per pound.
You can also reheat a ham by slicing it and reheating it in a pan.
Is it necessary to use a specific type of pressure cooker?
No, not at all. I just happen to have an Instant Pot, but pressure cookers have become so popular over the last couple of years that just about every big & small appliance company makes one. This will work with them all.
Don’t miss these other awesome recipes with ham
- Traeger Applewood Smoked Ham
- Air Fryer Honey Baked Ham
- Ham & Bean Soup
- Air Fryer Ham & Cheese Sliders
- Poppy Seed Ham & Cheese Sliders
- Ham & Cheese Hot Spinach Dip
- Senate Bean Soup
- Chef Salad
Instant Pot Ham Ingredients
- Quartered -fully cooked boneless ham
- pineapple juice
- brown sugar
- mustard
- white balsamic vinegar
- honey
- cornstarch
- water
Using the Instant Pot produces the most tender & moist ham you have ever enjoyed. So good.
What is “natural pressure release”?
Often, an Instant Pot recipe would call for you to release all the pressure at the end of the timed pressure cycle. However, the cooking process stops when the pressure is released.
For recipes that call for a natural pressure release, you would refrain from releasing the pressure from the unit for a set amount of time. This allows for a little extra cooking time as the pressure inside naturally goes down.
At the end of the natural pressure release cycle, you would then use the valve to release the remaining pressure and stop the cooking process.
Can this be made in the slow cooker?
Yes, you can make this in the slow cooker. Just add the ingredients to the slow cooker, cover, and cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low for 7-8 hours.
Looking for more great recipes to pair with this ham?
CONNECT WITH YUMMI HAUS!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!
PIN THIS RECIPE NOW TO REMEMBER IT LATER
Pressure Cooker Brown Sugar Ham
Ingredients
- 10 pounds boneless ham fully cooked (1/4 of a whole ham)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp mustard
- 2 tsp white balsamic vinegar
- 3 tsp honey
- 1 ½ cups water for pressurizing
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 3 tsp water
- 3 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Place the ham on a large piece of foil. Make slices halfway through the ham.
- Combine the brown sugar, mustard, balsamic vinegar & honey in a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Spread the brown sugar mixture over the ham to coat.
- Close the foil around the ham to cover it completely.
- Place the wrapped ham on a trivet in the pot insert.
- Add water for presurizing to the pot.
- Secure the lid, close the valve, and cook on manual high pressure for 18 minutes.
- Allow for a natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the ham. Let rest in the foil for 5 minutes.
- Remove the ham from the foil and transfer it to the serving platter.
- Pour out the water from the bottom of the pot. Take the liquid that has been trapped in the foil with the ham and transfer it into the pot.
- Add the pineapple juice, remaining water & cornstarch to the pot.
- Cook on sautee, whisking frequently until mixture has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Drizzle the sauce over the top of the ham prior to serving.
Notes
Equipment
- electric pressure cooker
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
