Are you looking for a quick and easy way to cook a delicious spiral ham?
Look no further than your Instant Pot!
This versatile kitchen appliance can help you cook a perfectly juicy and flavorful ham in no time. But how long should you cook it for?
With varying sizes and cooking methods, it can be confusing to figure out the right timing.
In this article, we’ll break down the different cooking times for spiral hams in the Instant Pot, along with some helpful tips and tricks to ensure your ham turns out perfectly every time.
So grab your Instant Pot and let’s get cooking!
How Long To Cook Spiral Ham In Instant Pot?
When it comes to cooking a spiral ham in your Instant Pot, the cooking time will depend on the size of your ham.
For a spiral cut ham, you’ll want to cook it for 2 minutes per pound of ham on high pressure. For example, if you have a 6-pound ham, you’ll want to cook it for 12 minutes.
It’s important to note that you should also add an additional 10 minutes to the total cooking time to account for the foil wrapping around the ham. This will ensure that your ham is cooked all the way through and stays juicy and tender.
Once the cooking time is up, allow for a natural pressure release for at least 10 minutes before doing a quick release. This will help prevent any juices from spilling out and ensure that your ham is cooked evenly throughout.
If you’re using an uncut ham, you’ll want to cook it for 3 minutes per pound of ham on high pressure with a 15 minute natural pressure release.
Choosing The Right Spiral Ham For Your Instant Pot
When it comes to choosing the right spiral ham for your Instant Pot, there are a few things to consider.
Firstly, make sure that the ham fits in your Instant Pot. For a 6-quart Instant Pot, a 5 to 6-pound ham is ideal, while an 8-quart Instant Pot can hold a 7 to 8-pound ham.
Secondly, consider the type of spiral ham you want to use. You can choose from semi-boneless, whole, half, or bone-in ham depending on your preference. Bone-in hams are recommended as they provide better flavor and texture to the meat.
If you opt for bone-in ham, you’ll need to decide between the shank end and the butt end. The shank end has leaner meat and one long bone, making carving easier. The butt end has more tender, fattier meat, but carving around the T-shaped bone inside can be tricky.
Finally, consider the glaze for your spiral ham. Pineapple juice, honey, and brown sugar are commonly used ingredients for a delicious glaze. You can also add optional spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for extra flavor.
By choosing the right spiral ham for your Instant Pot and using the recommended cooking time and glaze ingredients, you can ensure that your ham turns out perfectly tender and juicy every time.
Preparing Your Spiral Ham For The Instant Pot
Before cooking your spiral ham in the Instant Pot, it’s important to prepare it properly. First, place the trivet with handles in the Instant Pot and pour in the water.
Next, take a large piece of foil and lay it out on the counter. Place the ham in the middle of the foil and fold up the sides to create a bowl around the ham. This will help keep all of the ingredients inside and prevent any juices from spilling out.
Now, it’s time to add your glaze. Rub brown sugar over the ham and pour maple syrup (or honey) and pineapple juice over the top, making sure that all of the ingredients are evenly distributed. Then, secure the foil wrap around the ham.
Place the foil-wrapped ham on top of the trivet in the Instant Pot and seal it shut. Cook according to the directions above, making sure to add an additional 10 minutes to account for the foil wrapping.
Once your ham is finished cooking, allow for a natural pressure release before carefully removing it from the Instant Pot (the foil will be hot). Slice and serve for a delicious and easy holiday meal!
Cooking Times For Spiral Ham In The Instant Pot
If you’re using a spiral cut ham, here is a breakdown of cooking times based on the weight of your ham:
– 3-pound ham: cook for 6 minutes (2 minutes per pound) + 10 minutes for foil = 16 minutes total
– 4-pound ham: cook for 8 minutes (2 minutes per pound) + 10 minutes for foil = 18 minutes total
– 5-pound ham: cook for 10 minutes (2 minutes per pound) + 10 minutes for foil = 20 minutes total
– 6-pound ham: cook for 12 minutes (2 minutes per pound) + 10 minutes for foil = 22 minutes total
– 7-pound ham: cook for 14 minutes (2 minutes per pound) + 10 minutes for foil = 24 minutes total
– 8-pound ham: cook for 16 minutes (2 minutes per pound) + 10 minutes for foil = 26 minutes total
It’s important to note that these cooking times are based on using a high pressure setting. Additionally, make sure to check that the internal temperature of your ham has reached at least 145 degrees F before serving.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to prepare a delicious and perfectly cooked spiral ham in your Instant Pot.
Natural Release Vs. Quick Release
When it comes to releasing the pressure from your Instant Pot after cooking a spiral ham, you have two options: natural release and quick release.
Natural release means allowing the pressure to release on its own without manually releasing it. This is done by simply turning off the Instant Pot and letting it sit for a designated amount of time. For ham, it’s recommended to let the pressure naturally release for at least 10 minutes. This allows the ham to continue cooking and soak up any juices that may have been released during the cooking process.
On the other hand, quick release involves manually releasing the pressure by turning the valve on top of the Instant Pot. This is done by carefully turning the valve to release the steam. Quick release is generally used for foods that are more delicate and can overcook easily, such as vegetables or fish.
For spiral ham, it’s recommended to do a quick release after allowing for a natural pressure release of at least 10 minutes. This will ensure that your ham is cooked all the way through and stays juicy and tender while also preventing any overcooking.
Glazing And Serving Your Spiral Ham From The Instant Pot
Now that your spiral ham is perfectly cooked in your Instant Pot, it’s time to add some delicious glaze and serve it up!
To thicken your glaze, remove the ham from the Instant Pot and turn it to the sauté or browning setting. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of cold water and 2 tablespoons of corn starch. Whisk this mixture into the Instant Pot and simmer until it thickens. Brush this glaze onto your ham slices for added flavor.
To serve your spiral ham, place it on a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil and fold up the sides to create a bowl-like shape around the ham. Gently separate the slices of ham so that the glaze can penetrate them. Pour your glaze over the ham and securely wrap the foil around it.
You can use any precooked spiral cut ham for this recipe, but a family favorite is Honey Baked Ham. It’s a precooked, spiral sliced ham with a crunchy sweet glaze that’s worth the splurge. You can also use your Instant Pot to heat any precooked, sliced ham – glazed or unglazed, bone-in or boneless.
When it comes to serving your spiral ham from the Instant Pot, you can make a delicious pineapple brown sugar glaze by pressing the sauté button and whisking together cornstarch and water. Pour this mixture into the water/juice/drippings mixture and whisk until it thickens. Pour this glaze over your ham or serve it alongside it to drizzle at will.
Now that you know how long to cook your spiral ham in your Instant Pot and how to add some delicious glaze, you’re ready to impress your guests with a tender and juicy holiday favorite!
