I used to think spiral ham was just for special occasions. You know, those fancy holiday dinners where you spend hours in the kitchen and your oven is packed with side dishes. But then I discovered I could make it in my Instant Pot any time I wanted.
Now spiral ham is my go-to when I need to feed my family something that feels special but doesn’t require much work. The pressure cooker keeps it moist and cuts the cooking time way down. Plus, my oven stays free for all those side dishes or whatever else I’m making.
The best part? It comes out just as good as the traditional oven method, maybe even better. No more worrying about it drying out or trying to time everything perfectly. Just tender, flavorful ham that’s ready when you are.
Why You’ll Love This Spiral Ham
- Super quick cooking – Your Instant Pot cuts the cooking time down to just 40-50 minutes, making this perfect for busy weeknights or when you need dinner fast.
- Simple ingredients – With just five basic ingredients you probably already have, this recipe keeps things easy without sacrificing flavor.
- Sweet and savory glaze – The brown sugar, maple syrup, and pineapple juice create a delicious glaze that makes every bite taste amazing.
- Perfect for any occasion – Whether it’s a holiday dinner or a regular family meal, this ham always impresses without requiring much effort from you.
- Tender, juicy results – The pressure cooking keeps the ham moist and tender, so you’ll never have to worry about it drying out.
What Kind of Spiral Ham Should I Use?
For this Instant Pot recipe, you’ll want to grab a pre-cooked spiral ham from the grocery store – these are already fully cooked and just need reheating, which makes them perfect for pressure cooking. Most spiral hams come in the 5-8 pound range, so pick one that fits your crowd and your Instant Pot size. You can choose between bone-in or boneless, though bone-in tends to have more flavor and stays moister during cooking. Just make sure to check the packaging to confirm it’s pre-cooked (it should say “fully cooked” or “ready to eat”), and if your ham comes with a glaze packet, you can set it aside since we’re making our own sweet glaze.
Options for Substitutions
This simple ham recipe is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps:
- Spiral ham: If you can’t find a spiral ham, a regular bone-in ham works just fine – you’ll just need to slice it yourself after cooking. Make sure it fits in your Instant Pot though!
- Brown sugar: White sugar mixed with a tablespoon of molasses works in a pinch, or you can use coconut sugar for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Maple syrup or honey: These are pretty interchangeable – use whatever you have on hand. Even corn syrup or agave nectar will work if that’s what’s in your pantry.
- Pineapple juice: Apple juice, orange juice, or even ginger ale make great substitutes. Each will give your ham a slightly different sweet flavor, but all work well with the brown sugar glaze.
- Water: You can replace some or all of the water with additional fruit juice or even cola for extra sweetness and flavor. Just keep the total liquid amount the same.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when cooking spiral ham in an Instant Pot is not adding enough liquid, which can cause the pressure cooker to burn or not come to pressure properly – always use at least 1 cup of liquid as your base.
Another common error is overcooking the ham since it’s already pre-cooked, so stick to about 10 minutes per pound at high pressure to avoid drying it out.
Make sure to place the ham cut-side down in the pot to prevent the glaze from washing off during cooking, and don’t forget to tent it with foil if you want to keep those beautiful spiral cuts intact.
For the best flavor, save some of the cooking liquid after pressure cooking and reduce it on the sauté setting to create a concentrated glaze that you can brush on before serving.
What to Serve With Spiral Ham?
Spiral ham is perfect for feeding a crowd and pairs beautifully with classic comfort sides that soak up all those sweet, savory flavors. I love serving it with creamy mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or green beans that complement the ham’s rich taste. For something a bit different, try sweet potato casserole or roasted butternut squash, which play nicely with the maple and brown sugar glaze. Don’t forget some dinner rolls or cornbread on the side – they’re perfect for making little ham sandwiches with any leftovers!
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate: Your leftover spiral ham will stay delicious in the fridge for up to 5 days when wrapped tightly in foil or stored in an airtight container. I love having ham on hand because it makes such easy sandwiches, breakfast hash, or even a quick ham and cheese omelet during the week.
Freeze: Ham freezes really well if you want to save some for later! Wrap individual portions or slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. It’ll keep for up to 3 months in the freezer, which is perfect when you have a big ham and can’t finish it all.
Warm Up: To enjoy your leftover ham, you can eat it cold straight from the fridge or gently warm it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. If you’re warming larger portions, cover with a damp paper towel to keep it from drying out. Frozen ham should be thawed in the fridge overnight before warming.
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 24-30 minutes |
| Total Time | 40-50 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 4800-7000
- Protein: 480-680 g
- Fat: 320-420 g
- Carbohydrates: 250-350 g
Ingredients
For the ham:
- 5-8 lb spiral-sliced ham (fully cooked for convenience)
For the glaze:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup maple syrup (pure maple syrup for best flavor)
For the Instant Pot:
- 1 cup water
Step 1: Prepare the Instant Pot and Ingredients
- 1 cup water
Place the trivet with handles in the bottom of an 8-quart Instant Pot.
Pour the water into the pot.
Lay out a large piece of foil on your countertop to get ready for wrapping the ham.
This setup helps keep everything tidy and ensures the ham is easy to handle after cooking.
Step 2: Season and Wrap the Ham
- 5 to 8 lb spiral-sliced ham
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 cup pineapple juice
Place the spiral-sliced ham in the center of the foil.
Rub the brown sugar all over the surface of the ham.
Pour the maple syrup (or honey) and the pineapple juice over the top, making sure the liquids stay inside the foil bowl surrounding the ham.
Carefully fold up the sides of the foil to enclose the ham and seal it well.
This will help keep in the juices and flavor during cooking.
Step 3: Pressure Cook the Ham
- foil-wrapped ham from Step 2
Place the foil-wrapped ham onto the trivet inside the Instant Pot.
Seal the lid and set the cooker to high pressure.
Set the timer for 2 minutes per pound of ham, then add 10 extra minutes to account for the foil wrap (for example, cook a 7 lb ham for 24 minutes).
When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes.
Afterwards, do a quick release to finish.
Be sure the internal temperature of the ham has reached at least 145°F—I always use a digital thermometer to check for doneness.
Step 4: Remove and Slice the Ham
Carefully lift the foil-wrapped ham out of the Instant Pot using the trivet handles (the foil will be hot).
Unwrap the ham and place it on a serving platter.
Slice as desired and enjoy.
For extra juiciness, I like to spoon some of the warm cooking juices over the sliced ham before serving.
