If you are craving a melt-in-your-mouth, sweet, and perfectly glazed ham but want to keep things quick, simple, and utterly delicious, this Instant Pot Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe is going to become your new best friend. The magic happens when the honey and spices create a luscious, sticky coating that seeps into every tender slice of ham, all achieved in a fraction of the time traditional methods take. Whether it’s a holiday feast or a special family dinner, this recipe delivers that irresistible combination of sweet and savory with minimal fuss but maximum flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting this Instant Pot Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe right depends on a handful of essential ingredients, each chosen to build layers of flavor and balance to the dish. From the richness of honey to the warm spice notes and bright zing of orange zest, every item plays a crucial role in creating the unforgettable glaze.
- 5 pound Ham (boneless or bone-in): The star of the dish, choose your favorite ham for juicy, tender results.
- 1 cup Honey: Adds natural sweetness and a glossy finish to the glaze.
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar (firmly packed): Brings depth with rich molasses undertones and helps caramelize the ham.
- 1 teaspoon Ground ginger: Adds a warm, subtle zing to balance the sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon: Gives a cozy, aromatic touch that pairs beautifully with ham.
- 1 teaspoon Orange zest: Adds bright citrus notes to lighten and freshen the glaze’s flavor profile.
How to Make Instant Pot Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Honey-Glaze
Start by mixing honey, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and orange zest in a bowl. This combination is your secret sauce that will coat the ham with that perfect balance of sweet and spice that makes each bite memorable.
Step 2: Warm the Glaze
Pop the glaze mixture into the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds until it becomes pourable. Warming it up helps those sugar crystals dissolve and makes brushing the glaze on your ham much easier and more even.
Step 3: Prep the Ham
Place your ham on a large piece of aluminum foil that’s big enough to fully wrap the ham up. Prepping the ham with foil ensures the juices stay in during cooking, keeping your ham wonderfully moist.
Step 4: Glaze the Ham
Brush half of the honey glaze all over the ham using a basting brush. This first coat locks in flavors and starts to create that sticky surface everyone loves. Save the remaining glaze for later—it’s going to take your ham to the next level.
Step 5: Wrap and Seal
Wrap the ham tightly in the foil, sealing all edges so that none of the precious juices escape during cooking. This wraps the flavors and moisture into the ham’s tender flesh.
Step 6: Set Up Your Instant Pot
Place a trivet with handles inside the Instant Pot’s inner pot, then pour in 1.5 cups of water. The water is essential for creating the steam that cooks the ham perfectly, and the trivet keeps the ham elevated so it doesn’t sit directly in the water.
Step 7: Pressure Cook the Ham
Put the foil-wrapped ham on the trivet, lock the lid, and seal the valve. Set the Instant Pot to HIGH PRESSURE for 10 minutes. When the timer finishes, allow a natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then carefully vent any remaining steam.
Step 8: Check the Temperature
Use a meat thermometer to make sure your ham has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. If it hasn’t, reseal and cook under high pressure for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, ensuring perfect doneness without drying out.
Step 9: Finish with a Broil
After removing the ham from the Instant Pot, unwrap it and discard any excess liquid. For a shiny, caramelized finish, brush on the remaining glaze (warmed until pourable), then place the ham under your oven broiler for 5 minutes. This step turns the glaze into a sticky, golden-brown masterpiece.
Step 10: Serve Immediately
Your ham is ready to impress the family or guests. Slice it up and watch how those honey-glazed edges capture the light — this recipe is pure joy on a plate.
How to Serve Instant Pot Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or thinly sliced green onions adds a pop of color and freshness that contrasts beautifully with the sweet, rich glaze. Don’t be shy with a little extra orange zest on top; it keeps things bright and festive.
Side Dishes
Classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, or buttery dinner rolls complement the flavors and make a complete, satisfying meal. For a lighter option, a crisp green salad with a citrus vinaigrette perfectly echoes the orange zest in the glaze.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the ham thick or thin and serve it alongside a platter of fresh fruit for a stunning brunch spread. Or carve the ham into chunks and toss it into warm bread rolls with a slather of mustard for irresistible mini sandwiches that everyone will ask for seconds of.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover slices tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The ham will stay juicy and flavorful for 3 to 4 days, perfect for quick lunches or dinner add-ons.
Freezing
If you want to freeze some of your Instant Pot Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe, slice the ham first and lay the pieces flat in a freezer-safe bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Frozen ham maintains quality for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or covered in a low oven with a splash of water or broth to keep the ham moist. You can even brush on a bit more honey glaze before warming to revive that beautiful shine and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use a bone-in ham for this recipe?
Yes! Both bone-in and boneless hams work well in this Instant Pot Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe. Bone-in hams often bring extra flavor and moisture, so feel free to use whichever you prefer or have on hand.
What if I want a smokier flavor?
To add a smoky depth, consider using a smoked ham or adding a few drops of liquid smoke to the glaze. This will enhance the flavor without overpowering the honey’s natural sweetness.
How do I adjust cooking time for different ham sizes?
The recipe’s 10-minute pressure cook time is great for around 5 pounds of ham. If your ham is larger, aim for about 2 minutes of extra cook time per pound for thorough warming, while smaller hams may need slightly less.
Can I use other citrus zest instead of orange?
Absolutely! Lemon or lime zest can work too, but orange zest offers the best balance of sweetness and brightness that pairs perfectly with the honey and spices in this recipe.
Is this ham good cold or only served hot?
This Instant Pot Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe is delicious both hot and cold. Leftovers make fantastic cold sandwiches or salad toppings, thanks to that sweet, flavorful glaze.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the ease and flavor of this Instant Pot Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe to brighten your table and delight your taste buds. It’s a recipe that feels festive yet approachable, perfect for any occasion when you want to impress without the stress. So go ahead, give it a try—and prepare to enjoy a new favorite that will have everyone asking for your secret!
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Instant Pot Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Instant Pot Ham recipe offers a perfectly cooked and flavorful ham glazed with a sweet and spiced honey mixture. Using the Instant Pot ensures a juicy, tender ham in a fraction of the time it would take to cook traditionally, with an optional broil step to caramelize the glaze for a beautiful finish.
Ingredients
Ham
- 5 pounds Ham (boneless or bone-in)
Honey Glaze
- 1 cup Honey
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 1 teaspoon Ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Orange zest
Instructions
- Prepare the glaze: In a bowl combine honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and orange zest until well mixed.
- Warm the glaze: Place the bowl in the microwave and heat for 15-30 seconds depending on your microwave strength. Stop heating once the glaze reaches a pourable consistency.
- Prepare the ham: Place your ham on a large piece of aluminum foil that can fully wrap the ham.
- Apply initial glaze: Using a basting brush, coat the ham evenly with half of the glaze, reserving the remainder for later.
- Wrap the ham: Tightly wrap the ham in the aluminum foil ensuring a good seal to keep juices contained during cooking.
- Set up Instant Pot: Place a trivet with handles inside the Instant Pot inner pot to keep the ham elevated.
- Add water and place ham: Pour 1.5 cups of water into the pot, then position the wrapped ham on the trivet.
- Seal the Instant Pot: Lock the lid in place and set the valve to SEALING.
- Pressure cook: Set the Instant Pot to cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 10 minutes (adjust timing based on the ham’s weight as per notes).
- Natural pressure release: When cooking time ends, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 15 minutes, then manually vent remaining steam by turning the valve to VENTING.
- Check internal temperature: Carefully open the lid and use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham has reached a safe internal temperature of 145°F. If not, reseal and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes at high pressure.
- Remove and unwrap ham: Carefully lift the ham from the Instant Pot using trivet handles, place on a platter, and remove the foil discarding excess liquid.
- Optional broil and glaze: For a caramelized finish, rewarm the reserved glaze if needed, brush it over the ham, and broil under your oven’s broiler for about 5 minutes until the glaze bubbles and caramelizes.
- Serve: Serve the ham immediately while warm and enjoy the tender, flavorful meat.
Notes
- Cooking times may vary based on the weight of the ham. For a 5-pound ham, 10 minutes of pressure cooking is recommended with a 15-minute natural release.
- Make sure the Instant Pot valve is set to SEALING to build pressure properly.
- Using a trivet with handles helps safely remove the ham after cooking.
- The glaze can be reheated in short bursts in the microwave to adjust consistency for basting.
- If preferred, the ham can be served without the broil step for a softer glaze finish.
