Easy Recipe to Pressure Cook an Instant Pot Boneless Ham

Make a juicy Instant Pot Boneless Ham for dinner in minutes! This simple spiral cut recipe is perfect for holidays or any night you want something special.

So you want a show-stopping ham on the table without spending all day in the kitchen? Same, friend. Same. This recipe is my go-to when I want dinner to feel fancy but I’ve got zero time to fuss. Let me show you how it’s done!

What Is Instant Pot Boneless Ham?

It’s exactly what it sounds like — a fully cooked boneless ham made right in your Instant Pot. No oven required. No hours of roasting. Just a few simple ingredients and your trusty pressure cooker doing all the heavy lifting.

Most store-bought hams are already pre-cooked. So, basically, you’re just heating it through and adding a little magic on top. The result? A tender, juicy, flavor-packed centerpiece that looks like you worked way harder than you did. 😄

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Ingredients You’ll Need 🛒

This recipe keeps it short and sweet to make a delicious ham — literally!

• 1 boneless ham (spiral cut ham works great!)
• 1 cup water
• 1 can crushed pineapple (with juice)
• Maraschino cherries
• Optional: glaze or sauce packet that came with the ham

That’s it. Seriously. Five ingredients, and you probably already have most of them, but make a note before you head to the grocery store so you don’t forget anything. Shop everything you need by clicking the images below to learn more:

How to Make the Instant Pot Ham Recipe👩‍🍳

Here’s the step-by-step recipe for a juicy ham, so easy your kids could almost do it (emphasis on almost). Watch how to make it by clicking play or read through the steps below:

1. Place the rack inside your Instant Pot.
2. Pour in 1 cup of water.
3. Place the whole ham on top of the rack/trivet in the Instant Pot’s inner pot of the electric pressure cooker.
4. Drizzle a little pineapple juice over the top of the ham.
5. Spread the crushed pineapple and cherries over the ham.
6. Place the lid on and seal it up.
7. Set to Manual/Pressure Cook for 2 minutes cooking time per pound of ham. (So a 5 lb ham = 10 minutes.)
8. Do a quick release when it’s done.
9. Carefully transfer the ham to a serving tray.
10. If you want, drizzle the delicious glaze or sauce packet over the top. Highly recommend — don’t skip this!

See? Short, simple, done. Clears up oven space during holidays and makes this ham in a fraction of the time. That’s the kind of cooking I’m here for. 🙌

Where to Serve This Pressure Cooker Ham 🎉

This recipe is so versatile, you know? It fits basically every occasion on the calendar with a spiral ham.

Holiday dinners — Easter and Christmas dinner are the obvious ones, but honestly, this holiday ham works for Thanksgiving too if your crew is more ham than turkey. Any holiday table will enjoy this spiral-sliced ham.

Sunday family dinners — Sometimes you just want something a little special mid-week or on a lazy Sunday dinner. This flavorful ham fits the bill perfectly.

Potlucks and gatherings — Bring this to a neighborhood potluck or family reunion and watch it disappear. It travels well and feeds a crowd.

Meal prep — Ham leftovers are basically a gift. Use it for sandwiches, omelets, soups, and more all week long. 

​So many places to serve this from special occasions to a weeknight meal.

Fun Variations to Try 🍯

Want to switch things up a little? Here are some easy twists on the classic recipe.

Brown Sugar Glaze — Mix brown sugar with a little Dijon mustard and spread it over the ham before cooking. It caramelizes beautifully.

Honey Ham — Swap the pineapple juice for honey for a sweeter, simpler flavor profile with a sweet honey glaze.

Cola Ham — Pour a can of cola or ginger ale into the pot instead of water. The flavor is surprisingly amazing.

Spiced Up — Add a little cinnamon and cloves to the pineapple topping for a warm, holiday-spiced taste to this main dish.

Citrus Twist — Use orange juice instead of pineapple juice for a bright, tangy version that’s great in spring.

No matter which direction you go, the Instant Pot makes it foolproof. Furthermore, you can always mix and match to find your family’s favorite combo!

Can You Make It Ahead? ⏰

Yes, and honestly, you should! This ham stores and reheats really well.

Make Ahead: Cook the ham up to 2 days in advance. Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Reheating: Slice it up and warm in a skillet with a little broth or leftover juices. Alternatively, pop it back into the Instant Pot with a splash of water on the “Keep Warm” setting.

Freezing: Leftover slices freeze beautifully! Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

So basically, you can make this once and eat well all week. That’s a mom win right there. 🏆

Common Questions About Making Ham in the Instant Pot ❓

Does the ham need to be thawed first?
​Yes! Always start with a fully thawed ham for even cooking and food safety.

What size ham fits in an Instant Pot?
A 6-quart Instant Pot fits a ham up to about 5–6 pounds. An 8-quart Instant Pot gives you a little more room for larger cuts.

Why only 2 minutes per pound? Seems fast!
​Remember, the ham is already pre-cooked. You’re just heating it through, not cooking it from raw. The pressure does the work quickly!

Can I use a bone-in ham instead?
​You can! Just adjust for size and make sure it fits inside your pot. Boneless is generally easier to work with, though.

What if my ham comes out dry?
​Don’t skip the liquid! The water and pineapple juice create steam that keeps everything moist and tender.

Can I double the pineapple for more flavor?
Absolutely! The more topping, the more flavor soaks in. Go for that pineapple goodness. 🍍

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Time to Get Cooking! 🍽️

There you have it — the simplest, most delicious Instant Pot Boneless Ham your family will love with the best flavor. Whether it’s a big holiday meal or just a Tuesday that deserves something special, this recipe delivers every single time.

It’s fast, it’s easy, and it tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. (You don’t have to tell them otherwise. 😉)

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Drop a comment below and let me know what variation you tried. And if you’re looking for more easy holiday recipes and fun family ideas, be sure to sign up for my email list so you never miss a thing! 🎉

More Sides to pair with this recipe or to use the leftover ham:

• Smashed Broccoli
• Roasted Parmesan Carrots
• Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
• Ham & Cheese Croissants
• Plantation Ham Pinwheels

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