This is a special post for two reasons: it marks the 100th recipe since I launched Pressure Luck less than a year ago, and it’s perfectly timed for the holiday season. If you like classic comfort food that’s easy to prepare, this recipe is for you — a simple, delicious holiday ham made in the Instant Pot that stays moist and flavorful.
We’ll prepare a pre-cooked smoked boneless ham, slice it, and steam it with a sweet pineapple-honey glaze. Using stackable pans or a sturdy foil packet keeps the Instant Pot clean and makes serving effortless. The result is tender, juicy slices that are perfect for a holiday table or any gathering where you want a fuss-free centerpiece.
Ingredients
- 3–4 lb boneless, pre-cooked smoked ham, sliced to your preferred thickness
- 20 oz can pineapple chunks with juice
- 1/2 cup ginger ale
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed (light brown works too)
- 3 tablespoons honey
Equipment
- Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker
- Stackable pans that fit inside your Instant Pot (or heavy-duty aluminum foil to make a sealed packet)
- Trivet for the Instant Pot
- Sharp knife for slicing the ham
Directions
- Prepare the ham: Remove any packaging and place the ham on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice the ham into even pieces at your desired thickness. If you have a spiral-cut ham, simply separate the slices you plan to serve.
- Make the glaze: In a mixing bowl, combine the pineapple chunks with their juice, ginger ale, dark brown sugar, and honey. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is well blended. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Assemble in pans or foil: If you have stackable pans, place a small layer of glaze in the bottom of each pan, arrange the sliced ham in layers, and distribute the remaining pineapple and glaze evenly across the pans. If you don’t have stackable pans, create a foil packet: lay a sheet of heavy-duty foil, place the ham and glaze in the center, fold the edges up to form a high-sided pouch, and then seal completely. For extra security, double or triple wrap the foil so no liquid escapes.
- Set up the Instant Pot: Pour 1 to 1.5 cups of water into the Instant Pot and place the trivet inside. Rest the stackable pans or the foil packet on the trivet so the ham sits above the water.
- Pressure cook: Secure the lid and cook on High Pressure for 3 minutes per pound of ham. For example, a 3.5 lb ham cooks about 10–11 minutes. When the cook time is complete, perform a quick release according to your Instant Pot’s instructions.
- Finish and serve: Carefully remove the pans or foil packet from the Instant Pot using tongs or the caddy handle if using stackable pans. Uncover and transfer the ham, pineapple, and glaze to a serving platter or casserole dish. Spoon any remaining glaze over the ham before serving.
Tips for Best Results
- Use stackable pans for the cleanest, easiest method; they make transferring and serving simple and keep the cooker tidy.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container with some of the glaze to keep the ham moist in the refrigerator.
- If you use aluminum foil, be sure to create a secure, tall-sided packet to prevent spills. Triple-wrapping helps ensure no leakage during pressure cooking.
- Adjust the glaze ingredients to taste — add more honey for sweetness, more ginger ale for fizz, or extra pineapple for fruitiness.
The finished ham is moist, tender, and bursting with sweet, tangy flavor. It’s an easy showstopper for holiday meals and special occasions, and it’s quick enough for weeknight dinners when you want something impressive with little effort.
Serve the ham with your favorite sides and let guests help themselves, or carve it at the table for a traditional presentation. Leftovers make excellent sandwiches, omelets, or a quick addition to casseroles.
Happy holidays — enjoy this simple, delicious Instant Pot honey pineapple ham with family and friends.
