This 3-Ingredient Instant Pot ham combines tangy pineapple juice and sweet brown sugar, and with the help of the Instant Pot makes a juicy ham every time.
Who doesn’t love a plump and juicy ham to serve guests for holiday dinners?
This Instant Pot ham is perfectly cooked and infused with a mouthwatering combination of deep brown sugar and tangy pineapple that will leave your taste buds singing!
And the ease of cooking in an Instant Pot means you’ll have more time to spend with your loved ones, and less time fussing in a hot kitchen.
Trust me, this Instant Pot brown sugar pineapple ham is the perfect centerpiece for your next holiday dinner.
Ingredients for Instant Pot ham
- 4-pound boneless sliced ham – The star of our dish! Be sure to use pre-cooked ham for this recipe.
- Light brown sugar – Light brown sugar has a complex molasses flavor and sweetness.
- Pineapple slices in 100% real pineapple juice – Pineapple adds sweetness and a tangy flavor to our ham. Be sure to get the pineapples in 100% juice and NOT in syrup!
Serving suggestions
Ham is such a great centerpiece for any dinner because it pairs so well with so many side dishes!
For cold sides, I love serving this alongside a fresh, cold, and crunchy cucumber tomato salad, or an elegant butternut squash salad.
If you’re looking for hot sides, you can’t go wrong with sweet simple roasted cabbage, crispy air fryer brussels sprouts, or sweet and smooth Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes.
Using the right canned fruit for 3-ingredient ham
There are a lot of different types of canned pineapple, and using the right one here will ensure that your 3-ingredient instant pot ham will come out absolutely perfect every time!
Stay away from any canned pineapple that has artificial sugars (monk fruit, stevia, or sucralose) because those tend to leave a bitter aftertaste.
We also don’t want any canned fruits in syrup, because it has too much sugar in it, and not enough pineapple flavor.
Be sure to buy the pineapple rings, in 100% pineapple juice, for the best results.
What is an Instant Pot?
An Instant Pot is an electric multi-cooker that can be used to sauté, as a slow cooker, and of course, pressure cook.
There are a lot of horror stories about using old-fashioned stovetop pressure cookers but these are much safer and WAY easier to use.
They use high-pressurized steam to help cook meat and vegetables at a much quicker rate than traditional stovetop or slow cooker options.
Instant Pots are VERY easy to use and very safe. Don’t worry if you’re new to the electric pressure cooker world. You will absolutely LOVE it!
What is the difference between an Instant Pot and an electric pressure cooker?
Instant Pot is a brand name electric pressure cooker. Since most people recognize the name “Instant Pot” and think of an electric pressure cooker it’s often easier to just title a recipe with IP in the name.
I have also used the crockpot version electric pressure cooker with equally delicious results.
This is the same as most people calling a plastic bandage a Band-aid or a tissue a Kleenex. Over time the brand names become synonymous with a type of product.
What is the difference between natural release and quick release?
When a recipe calls to let your Instant Pot “natural release” it means your pressure cooker will naturally (and very slowly) release the pressure.
Many recipes call for the pressure cooker to naturally release for a period of time because this helps the recipe cook just a little longer.
Since the pressure cooker will be slowly losing pressure you do not have to do anything; it will eventually lose all its pressure and the lid will unlock.
When a recipe calls for quick release, this means you will manually be letting the pressure out of the Instant Pot.
You will have to turn the vent to the “venting” position and a bunch of hot steam will come out of the vent. It is very important that you do not put your hand in the steam as it is VERY HOT.
This will then immediately unlock the lid and the food can be served.
Storage and leftovers
Any leftover Instant Pot brown sugar pineapple ham can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, simply place in a microwave-safe plate covered loosely with a damp paper towel and heat for 2-3 minutes or until heated thoroughly.
More dinner ideas
- Looking for a classic protein? Try my Pan Seared Salmon
- Love all things pork? Try my Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- Need something with easy clean-up? Try my Sheet Pan Lemon Salmon
- Want something a little extra special? Try my Air Fryer Crab Cakes
Instant Pot Ham
This Instant Pot brown sugar pineapple ham is made with tangy pineapple juice and sweet brown sugar, and with the help of the Instant Pot makes a juicy ham every time.
Ingredients
- 4 pound boneless sliced ham
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple slices in 100% juice
Instructions
- Pour ½ cup water into your Instant Pot and place the trivet insert on the bottom.
- Place the ham on the trivet and then sprinkle over the brown sugar.
- Next place the pineapple slices in the Instant Pot and pour the pineapple juice over the ham.
- Attach the lid and ensure the valve is in the “sealing” position. Pressure cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- When the Instant Pot has finished, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. Then release the rest of the pressure manually by switching the valve to the “venting” position.
- (Optional) To make a glaze, remove the ham and pineapple from the Instant Pot. Turn the Instant Pot to Saute and whisk 2 teaspoons of cornstarch into the liquid. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, or until the glaze is your desired consistency.
- Serve this ham immediately with the pineapple slices and glaze, if using. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 477Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 194mgSodium: 2981mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 0gSugar: 17gProtein: 67g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.
