Make Instant Pot Ham with orange cranberry sauce in the pressure cooker in less than an hour. The easiest way to cook spiral cut ham for the holidays!
I usually make our favorite Crock-Pot cranberry orange ham for Christmas dinner. But, I've been converting my slow cooker recipes into Instant Pot recipes, and you guys, this Instant Pot ham is even better!
Can you cook ham in the Instant Pot? Definitely! Cooking ham in the Instant Pot pressure cooker makes it tender, juicy and really infuses maximum flavor into the ham.
Plus, pressure cooking the ham is so much faster than the slow cooker, which makes it ideal for holiday dinners. I use a simple mix of jellied cranberry sauce and orange marmalade for the sauce.
I use this same flavor combo for Crock-Pot cranberry orange meatballs and Instant Pot cranberry orange meatballs. It's perfect for the Christmas holiday season!
How to cook a spiral cut ham in the Instant Pot
We bought a 10-pound spiral cut ham, so I had to use my 8-quart Instant Pot for this recipe. I just placed the whole ham directly into the pot -- cut side up. You don't even need the trivet.
Then, I poured a cup of orange juice into the pressure cooker. The ham releases a ton of liquid, so you don't need a full 2 cups here. If you're using a 6 quart, you can use a half cup or less!
I topped the ham with cranberry sauce and orange marmalade. Then, I pushed some of the sauce between the slices of ham.
How long do you cook ham in an Instant Pot?
For a cooked, spiral cut ham in the Instant Pot, pressure cook it for 10 minutes. Yes -- 10 minutes! Crazy, right?!
Keep in mind, the ham is already cooked. And the Instant Pot takes at least 10 minutes, or more, to heat up and reach pressure.
Then, I allow a 10 minute natural release before I do a quick release for the remaining pressure. So, the total time to cook a spiral ham in the Instant Pot is over 30 minutes. Still, it's much faster than the slow cooker!
The hardest part of the entire recipe is lifting the ham out of the pressure cooker. It's heavy!
I let it rest on a platter while I heat up the sauce on the Saute function to thicken it. You can also add more orange marmalade for an even thicker sauce.
Spoon the cranberry orange sauce over the ham before serving, and it's oh, so good! You know what? Snacking on the cold leftover ham is even better!
Recommended items to make Instant Pot ham
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- Instant Pot pressure cooker
- OXO liquid measuring cup
Instant Pot Ham Recipe with Cranberry Orange Sauce
Instant Pot Ham
Ingredients
- 1 10 pound Spiral cut ham
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 15-ounce can cranberry sauce
- ½ cup orange marmalade
Instructions
- Place the ham directly into the Instant Pot
- Pour orange juice over and around ham
- Place cranberry sauce over ham and between slices
- Spoon orange marmalade on top of cranberry sauce
- Place lid on Instant Pot, and turn vent knob to Sealing position. Hit PRESSURE COOK for 10 minutes
- Pot will take several minutes to reach pressure, then begin counting down and cook for 10 minutes. Allow a 10 minute natural release, then turn knob to Venting to release remaining pressure
- When pin drops, remove lid, and check that internal temperature is at least 140 degrees, according to meat thermometer. Using 2 large spoons or serving forks, carefully remove ham, and place on large serving platter. Pour sauce over slices or serve on the side.
Notes
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
I hope you enjoy this easy Instant Pot ham recipe as much as we do!
Helen in CA says
Thinking about using a tin foil sling......so as to be able to easily get the ham OUT OF THE POT when done. How did you do that?
Dee says
We just used two large serving forks to lift the ham out. A sling would be so much easier -- thanks for the suggestion! 🙂
Miz Helen says
We sometimes have to cut the ham down to get it in the slow cooker, did you have to cut it down to get it in the Instant Pot? The recipe looks delicious! Hope you are having a good week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Dee says
Thanks, Miz Helen. I was able to get the entire ham into the pot without cutting it!
Christine says
Ohhh the Ham look delicious, I am going to try this over the Christmas holidays.
Krista says
This is such a great way to use the instant pot!
Amy says
What a great main dish option! Great idea to put it in the instant pot!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
This looks wonderful AND what a great way to save oven space!
Catalina says
Instant Pot makes cooking much easier! I should try ham recipe!
Dee says
That's why I love cooking with the Instant Pot -- so easy! 🙂
Lora | Savoring Italy says
Oh my, does this ham look delightful!!
Dee says
Thanks, Lora. We absolutely loved it!
Chrissie Baker says
Oh ham in combination with a cranberry sauce sounds incredibly delicious. My husband will surely be delighted with this recipe. It's so great for holidays. Great recipe. Thank you!
Dee says
Thanks, Chrissie. It's a wonderful flavor combo! 🙂