Skip to Content

3-Ingredient Instant Pot Ham

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.

3-Ingredient Instant Pot Ham served on a plate.

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.

Ham, pineapple rings, and brown sugar sitting on a table.

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!
A ham sprinkled with brown sugar and ham inside an Instant Pot.
Ham fully cooked inside the Instant Pot.

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.

3-Ingredient Instant Pot Ham served with mashed 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.

3-Ingredient Instant Pot Ham served with pineapple.

Instant Pot FAQ

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!

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.

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.

A fork taking a bite of 3-Ingredient Instant Pot Ham.

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.

3-Ingredient Instant Pot Ham on a table with a hand holding the plate.

More dinner ideas

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.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 pound boneless sliced ham
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 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. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 826kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 66g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 187mg | Sodium: 3593mg | Potassium: 994mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 47IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 3mg
Course Instant Pot
Cuisine American
Keyword 3 ingredient ham, ham in the instant pot, instant pot pineapple brown sugar ham, pineapple brown sugar ham
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment and 5 star review!
3-Ingredient Instant Pot Ham pin for Pinterest.
Brandy

About Brandy!

I am a food lover and recipe developer bringing you delicious recipes that taste great and are easy to make! My food is inspired by travels around the world and my love of flavorful food. A list of things that make me happy: cats, Coke Zero, houseplants, and travel. Read more...

Recipe Rating




SEEN ON

as seen on promo graphic

SEEN ON

as seen on promo graphic