Pressure Cooker Brown Sugar Ham

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.

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.

Instant Pot Brown Sugar Ham

This post contains some affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

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.

Here are some commonly asked questions

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.

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.

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.

Here are my favorite Instant Pot Tools and Accessories!

1. Instant Pot
2. 5-Piece Accessory Set
3. 3-Piece Bundt Pan Bundle Set
4. Stackable Stainless Steal Insert Steamer Pans
5. Glass Lid and Sealing Rings

HOW DO YOU MAKE Pressure Cooker Brown Sugar Ham?

1. Combine brown sugar, mustard, balsamic vinegar & honey in a small bowl. Whisk to combine & set aside.
2. Place ham on a large piece of foil & make slices halfway through the ham.
3. Spread the brown sugar mixture over the ham to coat.
4. Close the foil around the ham to completely cover.
5. Place the ham on the trivet in the cooker pot.
6. Add 1-1/2 cups of water to the pot.
7. Close the lid & cook on manual for 18 minutes.
8. Natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release.
9. Remove the ham & let rest in the foil for 5 minutes.
10. Remove the ham from the foil & transfer to the serving platter.
11. Pour out the water from the pot & pour the liquid from the foil into the pot.
12. Add pineapple juice, remaining water & cornstarch to the pot.
13. Cook on sautee, whisking frequently until mixture has thickened to your desired consistency.
14. Drizzle over the top of the ham prior to serving.

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 years that just about every big & small appliance company makes one. This will work with them all.

Pressure Cooker Ham Recipe

To make this recipe you will need…

• 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.

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.

Honey Brown Sugar Ham

Looking for more great recipes to pair with this ham?

Green Pea Salad

30-Minute Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls

Easy Roasted Balsamic Potatoes

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey Sriracha Sauce

Rate this Recipe

Pressure Cooker Brown Sugar Ham

Course dinner

Servings: 16

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!

Print

Pin

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 18 mins

Total Time 23 mins

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1/4 fully cooked boneless ham
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp mustard
• 2 tsp white balsamic vinegar
• 3 tsp honey
• 3 tsp cornstarch
• 3 tsp water + 1-1/2 cups for pressurizing

Instructions

• Combine brown sugar, mustard, balsamic vinegar & honey in a small bowl. Whisk to combine & set aside.
• Place ham on a large piece of foil & make slices halfway through the ham.
• 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.
• Remove the ham from the foil & transfer 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.

Notes

*This recipe was created using the 6-quart instant pot. If you are using a different size pot or a different pressure cooker brand entirely, cooking times may be off by a couple of minutes.

**Live at High Altitude – Because water boils at a lower temperature at high altitudes, and pressure cooking requires water to boil in order to work, some foods may need a little more cooking time. When pressure cooking at high altitudes you want to make sure to add 5 percent to your cook time for every 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet elevation. For example, when we lived at 4,000+ feet I would add 10 percent to my cook time. For a recipe that called for 20-minutes of cooking time, I would then cook for 22 minutes. When pressure cooking, 1-2 minutes can make all the difference in a recipe, unlike when cooking by traditional methods.

Love this recipe?Follow @KleinworthCo for even more tasty recipes!