By Becky Hardin
Published Dec 10, 2022
Instant Pot Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham is an easy-to-make holiday entree that’s sweet, savory, and so easy to make! This recipe requires only three key ingredients: ham, brown sugar, and pineapples. Toss in some cornstarch if you’d like to make a sweet glaze and you’ve got yourself a stunning holiday centerpiece!
Ham in the Instant Pot
Your Instant Pot just made the holidays a whole lot less hectic! No need to stress and sweat over a hot oven this year–just let the pressure cooker do all of the work for you! This holiday ham is made in just a few quick and easy steps that always yield trustworthy results.
This Instant Pot Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham is perfect for serving on both Christmas and Easter . I love that because I don’t have to go so long without enjoying it! Plus, it makes for the best leftovers – ham and cheese sandwiches with this sliced meat are the best.
Why You’ll Love this Instant Pot Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham Recipe:
- So Easy: Using an Instant Pot really simplifies this classic recipe.
- Sweet and Savory: Ham has a natural savory and salty flavor that’s perfectly balanced by the sweet pineapples and brown sugar.
- Glazed : The glaze is an optional final touch, but it’s highly recommended! It’s really easy to whip up and does wonders for this already delicious ham.
Whether you serve this ham for Easter or Christmas (or both), it’s sure to be a huge hit on either occasion!
How to Make Instant Pot Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham
You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!
- Pour water into the Instant Pot and place the trivet on the bottom.
- Place the ham on the trivet. Sprinkle with brown sugar.
- Place the pineapple slices on the ham. Pour in the pineapple juice.
- Attach the lid. The valve needs to be in the “sealing” position.
- Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
- Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes.
- Release the rest of the pressure manually.
- Make the glaze by whisking the cornstarch in with the liquids.
Recipe Notes
- Ham: I’m using a 3.5-pound Boneless Sliced “Anytime” Ham for this recipe – make sure to use a small fully cooked boneless ham.
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar adds a rich, sweet flavor to the ham.
- Pineapple: Pineapple juice goes so well with ham – it’s sweet and fruity and pairs perfectly with salty ham.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the juices into a rich glaze.
Any fully-cooked boneless ham will work in this recipe. I like to use sliced ham because I can tuck the pineapple slices between the ham slices. For an 8-quart instant pot, I don’t recommend going any larger than 7-8 pounds, as it may not fit!
That depends on the size of your ham! For a 3.5-pound ham, I recommend following the recipe and cooking for 10 minutes. For other sizes, a good estimate is about 2-3 minutes per pound.
I don’t recommend it! Pineapple contains a powerful enzyme called bromelain that is much higher in concentration in fresh pineapple than in canned. Bromelain will actually break down the meat, leading to mushy ham. Plus, with fresh pineapple, you won’t have all of that delicious juice!
You sure can! Add the ham, brown sugar, and pineapple to a crockpot and cook on low for 5 hours or high for 2½ hours.
Serving Suggestions
Be sure to pair your holiday ham with some of the best side dishes!
- Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
- Creamed Green Beans
- Parker House Rolls
- Baked Mac and Cheese
In my home, Christmas and Easter are both celebrated with a serving of sliced ham on every plate. And now, it’s easier than ever to make everyone’s favorite entree!
Make Ahead Instructions
Instant pot pineapple brown sugar ham can be made up to 1 day in advance of when you plan to serve it. Store the ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover instant pot pineapple brown sugar ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave.
Freezing Instructions
Freeze instant pot pineapple brown sugar ham in a Ziplock bag with parchment between the slices for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Tips for the Best Instant Pot Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham
- The amount of sodium in this recipe is mostly due to the ham itself. If you’re on a low-sodium diet, check the label on your ham!
- For crispy ham, place the ham on a rimmed baking sheet, brush with a few tablespoons of the glaze, and broil in the oven for 3-4 minutes.
MoreInstant PotHam RecipesWe Love
- Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham
- Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup
Since your oven will be undoubtedly busy this Christmas, reduce that traffic by plugging in your Instant Pot to cook this pineapple brown sugar ham! This easy pressure cooker recipe always yields the best ham with a sweet glaze.
MoreChristmasDinner Recipesto Try:
- Air Fryer Ham with Garlic Butter
- Sheet Pan Beef Tenderloin Meal
- Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham
- Crockpot Whole Chicken
- Honey Baked Turkey
- Apple Ginger Glazed Ham
- Orange Honey Glazed Ham
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!
Ingredients1x2x3x
For the Ham
- ▢ 3-4 pounds boneless sliced ham (see note)
- ▢ ¼ cup brown sugar
- ▢ 20 ounces pineapple slices in 100% juice (1 can)
For the Glaze (optional)
- ▢ 2 teaspoons cornstarch
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. 3-4 pounds boneless sliced ham, ¼ cup brown sugar
- Place the pineapple slices in the Instant Pot and pour the pineapple juice over the ham. 20 ounces pineapple slices in 100% juice
- 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 Sauté and whisk 2 teaspoons of cornstarch into the liquid. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, or until the glaze is your desired consistency. 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- Serve this ham immediately with the pineapple slices and glaze, if using.
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Becky’s Tips
- Ham: I’m using a 3.5-pound Boneless Sliced “Anytime” Ham for this recipe– make sure to use a small fully-cooked boneless ham.
- The amount of sodium in this recipe is mostly due to the ham itself. If you’re on a low-sodium diet, check the label on your ham!
- For crispy ham, place the ham on a rimmed baking sheet, brush with a few tablespoons of the glaze, and broil in the oven for 3-4 minutes.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Instant Pot Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
For the Ham
- 3-4 pounds boneless sliced ham (see note)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 20 ounces pineapple slices in 100% juice (1 can)
For the Glaze (optional)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
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. 3-4 pounds boneless sliced ham, ¼ cup brown sugar
- Place the pineapple slices in the Instant Pot and pour the pineapple juice over the ham. 20 ounces pineapple slices in 100% juice
- 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 Sauté and whisk 2 teaspoons of cornstarch into the liquid. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, or until the glaze is your desired consistency. 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- Serve this ham immediately with the pineapple slices and glaze, if using.
Notes
- Ham: I’m using a 3.5-pound Boneless Sliced “Anytime” Ham for this recipe– make sure to use a small fully-cooked boneless ham.
- The amount of sodium in this recipe is mostly due to the ham itself. If you’re on a low-sodium diet, check the label on your ham!
- For crispy ham, place the ham on a rimmed baking sheet, brush with a few tablespoons of the glaze, and broil in the oven for 3-4 minutes.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
