The Instant Pot has become my noisy kitchen companion—always hissing, clicking, and sometimes even throwing a tiny tantrum with its steam. But oh, the magic it works on a humble ham! Imagine a holiday feast without the fuss, the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’ve conquered Mount Everest, even if all you did was press a button. And hey, have you noticed how even something as simple as a ham can make a Thursday night feel like Thanksgiving?
Steps
- Position the frozen ham on a trivet inside the pressure cooker. Pour the crushed pineapple over the ham, then sprinkle the brown sugar and drizzle the maple syrup on top. Secure the lid and set the cooker to high pressure for 35 minutes, allowing 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
- Once cooking is complete, let the pressure release naturally, which may take between 10 to 40 minutes. Ensure the internal temperature of the ham reaches at least 145°F for fresh ham or 140°F for pre-cooked ham using an instant-read thermometer.
- Carefully remove the ham and trivet from the cooker. Slice the ham and arrange it on a serving platter.
- Activate the Sauté function on the pressure cooker. In a small bowl, combine water and cornstarch, then add the mixture to the cooker, stirring to integrate with the sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until it thickens, then pour the sauce over the sliced ham.
Ingredients
- 1 frozen whole ham (approximately 2 pounds)
- 1 can crushed pineapple (16 ounces)
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons water (or as needed)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Nutritional Values
Calories: 2848 | Total Fat: 168g | Saturated Fat: 64g | Cholesterol: 512mg | Sodium: 11688mg | Total Carbohydrate: 160g | Dietary Fiber: 8g | Total Sugars: 144g | Protein: 168g | Vitamin C: 360mg | Calcium: 200mg | Iron: 8mg | Potassium: 3520mg
FAQ
- Can I use a fresh ham instead of a frozen one in this recipe?
- Yes, you can use a fresh ham. Just ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) when cooked. Adjust the cooking time accordingly if the ham isn’t frozen.
- What can I use as a substitute for crushed pineapple?
- If you don’t have crushed pineapple, you can substitute with pineapple rings or chunks. Alternatively, you could use 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup water for a different flavor profile.
- Is it possible to use a different sweetener instead of maple syrup?
- Yes, you can substitute maple syrup with honey or another sweetener of your choice. This might slightly alter the flavor, but it should still result in a delicious dish.
- How can I thicken the sauce if it’s too runny?
- For a thicker sauce, you can add more cornstarch. Mix additional cornstarch with water and gradually stir it into the sauce while using the Sauté function until it reaches your desired consistency.
- What should I do if I want to cook a larger ham?
- You can cook a larger ham by adjusting the ingredient quantities and ensuring your pressure cooker is large enough to accommodate it. Be sure to also adjust the cooking time and check the internal temperature to ensure it’s cooked properly.
Tips
- If you don’t have crushed pineapple, you can substitute with pineapple rings or even try using apple cider vinegar and water for a different flavor profile.
- For a thicker sauce, consider increasing the amount of cornstarch slightly to achieve your desired consistency.
- Ensure you allow sufficient time for natural pressure release, which can vary depending on the ingredients used, to ensure the ham is tender and fully cooked.
- If you have a larger Instant Pot, you can accommodate a bigger ham by adjusting the cooking time accordingly.
Equipment
- Instant Pot (or another multi-functional pressure cooker)
- Trivet for Instant Pot
- Instant-read thermometer
