Ultimate Beer-Braised Pressure Cooker Ham: Pineapple Brown Sugar Glaze Perfection
Discover the secret to the most succulent, flavorful ham you’ve ever tasted with our ultimate beer-braised pressure cooker ham recipe. Glazed to perfection with a sweet and tangy pineapple and brown sugar topping, this dish is a guaranteed showstopper for any holiday gathering or special occasion. We’ll guide you through precise pressure cooker ham times, and for those who prefer a more leisurely approach, we’ve even included instructions for a delightful slow cooker ham. Get ready to elevate your culinary game and impress everyone at your next feast!
If you’re already a fan of our Instant Pot spiral ham recipe and are looking to complete your holiday menu with more incredible dishes, make sure to explore our Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie, a rich and creamy delight that’s perfect for dessert. For a classic nutty indulgence, our Pecan Pie Tart offers a delightful twist on a traditional favorite. And to kick off your celebration with elegance and ease, our Christmas Charcuterie Board is packed with festive charm.
Effortless & Delicious: Your Go-To Pressure Cooker Ham Recipe
This recipe is truly my family’s secret weapon for creating a magnificent boneless ham in an Instant Pot or any electric pressure cooker, all in a fraction of the time typically required. What emerges is the most incredibly moist and flavorful ham, adorned with a perfectly balanced brown sugar glaze that makes it ideal for any special occasion, from Christmas dinner to Easter brunch.
For generations, this particular holiday ham has been a cherished centerpiece at our family’s Christmas dinner, passed down from my grandmother. My mom perfected it over many years in a traditional oven, but the past few years, we’ve embraced the Instant Pot, and it has been a game-changer! The convenience and superior results have truly made us converts. Cooking ham in the pressure cooker not only slashes cooking time dramatically but also infuses the meat with even deeper, more delicious flavors, ensuring every bite is tender and juicy.
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Ham Pressure Cooker Times: Achieving Perfect Tenderness and Flavor
One of the most common questions when preparing a holiday ham is, “How long do you cook a pre-cooked ham, especially in a pressure cooker?” The good news is that most spiral cut holiday hams you purchase are already fully cooked, meaning your primary goal is to heat it through evenly while allowing the delicious flavors to meld and penetrate the meat. For this recipe, featuring a 4-5 pound, boneless, spiral-sliced ham, we recommend an active cook time of just 8 minutes under high pressure, followed by a natural pressure release. This method is crucial for ensuring your ham is warmed through to the center, incredibly moist, and infused with the rich braising liquid.
The natural release, while taking a bit longer, is essential for several reasons. It allows the internal temperature of the ham to stabilize, preventing it from drying out, and gives the meat ample time to reabsorb the flavorful juices. This results in a much more tender and succulent texture. While a smaller ham might tolerate a quick release without significant dryness, for the best results, especially with a beloved holiday dish, natural release is almost always preferred. The braising liquid, a harmonious blend of beer, pineapple, brown sugar, and Dijon, becomes a flavorful steam bath, locking in moisture and imparting a complex taste that makes this ham truly special for your holiday meal.
Once your perfectly cooked ham is ready, consider serving it alongside classic Southern comforts like our Southern Baked Mac and Cheese for a creamy, cheesy pairing. For a touch of sweetness and tang, a pineapple casserole is an ideal complement. Add savory depth with a hearty sausage stuffing casserole, or introduce a vibrant, fresh element with calabacitas. Don’t forget the essential best dinner rolls for soaking up every last drop of glaze. And for a truly indulgent finish, follow up your meal with a big slice of our brown butter rum-soaked cake!
Key Ingredients for Your Flavorful Pressure Cooker Ham
Crafting this unforgettable pressure cooker ham starts with a selection of high-quality ingredients that work in harmony to create a symphony of sweet, savory, and tangy notes. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- Boneless, Spiral-Cut Ham: For optimal results and ease of fitting into most standard pressure cookers, a ham weighing approximately 4 to 5 pounds is ideal for a 6-quart Instant Pot. If your ham is slightly larger, you might need to trim it carefully to ensure it fits comfortably within the pot. The pre-sliced nature of a spiral ham is perfect for allowing the glaze to seep into every crevice, maximizing flavor. For another delightful ham creation, you could also explore a crock pot ham and scalloped potatoes recipe.
- Canned Crushed Pineapple (with juice): A quintessential addition, pineapple is a non-negotiable for this recipe in our family! It imparts a fantastic tropical sweetness and a subtle tang that perfectly balances the richness of the ham and helps form the luscious glaze. While crushed pineapple is preferred for its ease of mixing into the glaze and distributing evenly, you can certainly use pineapple chunks or slices for a more textural element, or even just pure pineapple juice for a smoother glaze. Feel free to experiment by swapping pineapple for another sweet fruit flavor of your choice, like apricots or peaches, if you’re looking for a different twist.
- Dark Brown Sugar: This is a critical component of our signature glaze. I strongly recommend using dark brown sugar over light brown sugar for this pressure cooker ham. Its higher molasses content not only provides a deeper, richer, and more complex caramel flavor, but it also aids in achieving that beautiful, sticky, caramelized crust during the optional broiling step.
- Christmas or Winter Ale-Style Beer: The beer is where much of the unique depth of flavor in this braised ham comes from. I personally adore using Great Lakes Christmas Ale for its spiced, festive notes, but the beauty of this ingredient is its versatility. Feel free to use your favorite ale-style beer; a robust lager or even a hard cider could also provide an interesting twist. The key is to choose something with a flavor profile that complements the sweetness of the pineapple and brown sugar, adding a savory, malty foundation to the braising liquid. The alcohol cooks off, leaving behind only delicious essence.
- Dijon Mustard: Often overlooked in sweet glazes, Dijon mustard is absolutely key here. Its sharp, tangy, and slightly spicy notes are essential for cutting through the sweetness of the brown sugar and pineapple. This balance prevents the glaze from becoming overly cloying, ensuring a sophisticated and well-rounded flavor profile that will keep everyone coming back for more.
- Ground Cloves (optional): For those who appreciate a warmer, more aromatic spice profile in their ham, a dash of ground cloves is a wonderful addition. It brings a traditional holiday flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients. If you prefer a simpler flavor, or aren’t a fan of cloves, you can omit them.
- Cornstarch: This simple ingredient is your secret weapon for achieving the perfect consistency for your pineapple brown sugar glaze. When mixed with a little water to form a slurry, it helps to thicken the braising liquid into a rich, pourable glaze that beautifully coats the ham.
Essential Equipment for Your Pressure Cooker Ham
To successfully prepare this delicious beer-braised pressure cooker ham, having the right tools makes all the difference. Here’s a breakdown of the essential equipment you’ll need:
Firstly, you’ll definitely need an electric pressure cooker, such as a 6-quart Instant Pot, or a larger model depending on the size of your ham. A 6-quart is generally sufficient for a 4-5 pound ham, but if you’re cooking for a bigger crowd or have a larger ham, consider an 8-quart or even 10-quart model to ensure a proper fit. Make sure your pressure cooker has a trivet, which is crucial for elevating the ham and allowing the braising liquid to circulate evenly underneath. You’ll also want to grab something suitable for the broiler step to achieve that irresistible caramelized crust – a sturdy broiler-safe baking dish or a roasting pan will work perfectly. A cast-iron skillet can also double as an excellent vessel for broiling, offering fantastic heat retention and even browning.
While this recipe focuses on pressure cooking for speed and efficiency, for those who prefer the set-it-and-forget-it convenience of a slow cooker for ham, alternatives exist. You might enjoy a Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Ham or a slow cooker gammon joint with balsamic orange glaze. These methods offer a different pace, but still deliver wonderfully tender results. For this pressure cooker ham, here are a few more recommendations for kitchen tools that will make your cooking experience seamless:
Pressure Cooker Ham: Step-by-Step Guide for a Juicy Masterpiece
Achieving the most succulent and flavorful ham doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when utilizing the power of your Instant Pot! Follow these detailed steps to create the best Instant Pot spiral ham that will surely become a family favorite:
- Prepare the Ham in the Instant Pot: Begin by carefully placing the metal trivet (often included with your Instant Pot) inside the stainless steel inner pot. This trivet is essential as it elevates the ham, preventing it from sitting directly in the liquid and making it much easier to lift out once cooked. Position your boneless spiral-cut ham on the trivet with the cut, sliced end facing upwards. This orientation allows the delicious glaze mixture to seep down into the individual slices, infusing every part of the ham with flavor.
- Whisk the Flavorful Glaze: In a generously sized mixing bowl, combine the crushed pineapple (with its juice), robust dark brown sugar, tangy Dijon mustard, and the optional, warming ground cloves. Pour in your chosen Christmas or Winter Ale-style beer. Whisk all these ingredients together thoroughly until the brown sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture is well combined. This is the foundation of your incredible braising liquid and glaze.
- Glaze the Ham Generously: With the ham still positioned sliced-side-up on the trivet, gently use your fingers to separate the spiral slices. Slowly pour the prepared glaze mixture over the top of the ham, allowing it to drizzle generously between the slices. Let any excess glaze fall gracefully into the bottom of the pressure cooker pot. This ensures that every layer of ham gets bathed in the aromatic liquid, promising maximum flavor absorption.
- Pressure Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, ensuring the sealing valve is in the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and set the cooking time to 10 minutes on High pressure. Once the cooking cycle is complete, resist the urge to quick release! Allow the pressure to release naturally. This natural release is crucial for ensuring the ham remains incredibly moist and absorbs all those beautiful flavors without drying out.
- Remove Ham & Prepare Glaze for Broiling: Once the pressure has fully released naturally and the float valve has dropped, carefully open the pressure cooker lid. Using the trivet handles, gently lift the ham out of the Instant Pot and transfer it to a broiler-safe baking dish or roasting pan. Loosely tent the ham with aluminum foil to keep it warm while you prepare the glaze. Now, turn your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” mode. Heat the remaining braising liquid in the pot, stirring frequently. In a small separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with a couple of tablespoons of cold water to create a smooth slurry. Stir this cornstarch slurry into the simmering glaze in the Instant Pot. Continue to heat and stir until the glaze has thickened and reduced to a beautiful, syrupy consistency. Once it reaches your desired thickness, turn off the Instant Pot and pour this rich, thickened glaze generously over the warm ham.
- Optional (But Highly Recommended!) Broiling Step: This step is an absolute must for me, as it elevates the ham to another level of deliciousness! With the thickened glaze already coating the ham, sprinkle an additional ⅓ cup (or more, if you have a sweet tooth!) of dark brown sugar evenly over the top, gently pressing it into the spiral slices. Preheat your oven’s broiler. Place the baking dish with the ham under the broiler for 5-7 minutes. Keep a very close eye on it, as broilers can vary and sugar can burn quickly! You’re looking for that perfect moment when the brown sugar beautifully caramelizes, creating a wonderfully crispy, sweet crust on the edges of the ham. This final touch adds an incredible depth of flavor and texture that makes the ham simply irresistible!
Expert Tips & Tricks for the Best Instant Pot Spiral Ham
This Instant Pot ham recipe is incredibly straightforward and yields absolutely delicious results, but a few expert tips can make your ham even more spectacular:
- Choosing the Right Ham Size: This recipe is designed to work best with a boneless, spiral-cut ham that weighs between 4 and 5 pounds. This size fits comfortably into most 6-quart pressure cookers. If your ham is slightly smaller, reduce the initial pressure cooking time by a minute or two (e.g., 6-7 minutes). For a larger ham (ensure it still fits in your pressure cooker with the lid securely closed), you might need to add an extra minute to the cook time. Always remember that ham is pre-cooked, so you’re mostly heating and infusing flavor, not cooking from raw.
- Embrace the Natural Release: While it might test your patience, allowing for a natural pressure release (NPR) is highly recommended. I typically let it naturally release for at least 10 minutes. This slow release of pressure allows the ham to continue tenderizing and, more importantly, gives the meat fibers time to reabsorb the flavorful braising liquid, resulting in a much juicier and more tender final product. Often, I get distracted, and by the time I remember to check, the pressure has fully released on its own, which is perfectly fine and often leads to the best results!
- Don’t Be Shy with the Brown Sugar: If you have a sweet tooth like me, you’ll appreciate a generous amount of brown sugar, especially during the crucial broiling step. The complex flavors from the beer and Dijon mustard in this recipe create a beautifully balanced profile, allowing the sweetness of the brown sugar to shine without being overwhelming. Feel free to liberally sprinkle extra brown sugar over the top of the glazed ham before broiling. It caramelizes into an irresistible, sticky-crispy crust that truly makes the ham sing!
- Storing Leftover Ham: Properly storing leftovers is key to enjoying your delicious ham for days to come. Once cooled, place any leftover ham, whether sliced or unsliced, into an airtight container or a heavy-duty food storage bag. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This ham is fantastic for sandwiches, quesadillas, or diced into omelets.
- Freezing Leftover Ham for Later: Ham freezes exceptionally well, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying a taste of the holidays anytime. Cut your ham into manageable slices or chunks. Place these into a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, making sure to include some of that precious juice/glaze to help keep it moist upon reheating. Press out as much air as possible from freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. For extra protection, I often double-bag the ham to ensure it doesn’t absorb any unwanted freezer odors. Properly frozen, it will last for 2-3 months.
- Serving Temperature: While the ham is cooked through, serving it warm is always best to enhance its flavors and juicy texture. If you’ve prepared it ahead of time, gently reheat slices in a pan with a splash of the leftover glaze or broth, or warm the entire ham covered in the oven at a low temperature until heated through.
If you’ve enjoyed mastering this pressure cooker ham recipe, you absolutely must try these other fantastic Instant Pot creations! For a savory and satisfying meal, check out our Instant Pot Carnitas, perfect for tacos or burritos. And for dessert, indulge in my incredibly moist Peach Cobbler Pound Cake, a delightful miniature Mini Carrot Cake, or the refreshing tang of my Lemon Icebox Pie. If you’re generally a fan of convenient Instant Pot recipes, don’t miss this comprehensive guide to an Instant Pot Pot Roast for another easy family favorite. Or, for those who love classic pork main dishes, explore this elegant porchetta recipe or these hearty baked stuffed pork chops!
More Irresistible Recipes for Your Holiday Dinner Table
No holiday dinner is truly complete without a show-stopping dessert (or two!). While our pressure cooker ham is the star, these sweet treats will undoubtedly steal hearts:
Chocolate cake is always a welcome sight on any holiday table, and we have some incredible options to satisfy every chocolate lover. Dive into the rich, dense goodness of my Chocolate Sour Cream Pound Cake, featuring a tender crumb and deep chocolate flavor. For a more classic indulgence, our Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is pure decadence. Or, for a sophisticated twist, try my unique Chocolate Olive Oil Cake with Crystallized Ginger, which offers an unexpected blend of flavors that will always be a hit!
Beyond chocolate, how about some more festive and crowd-pleasing treats? Our moist Vegan Gingerbread Loaf is spiced to perfection and a guaranteed hit with vegans and non-vegans alike, bringing classic holiday warmth. For a truly decadent experience, Turtle Pie combines rich chocolate, gooey caramel, and crunchy pecans into an irresistible dessert. And for a delightful bite-sized treat, these Biscoff Blondies with White Chocolate offer a unique, spiced cookie butter flavor that’s hard to resist!
If you try this recipe, I would absolutely love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! Hearing your feedback is truly wonderful and helps our community grow. And don’t forget to share your delicious creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
📖 Recipe
Pressure Cooker Ham Braised in Beer
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5 minutes
20 minutes
17 minutes
Main Course
American
10
servings
487
kcal
Chenée Lewis
Equipment you may need
-
pressure cooker
-
baking dish
-
whisk
-
measuring cups and spoons
-
mixing bowls
Ingredients
-
1
4-5-lb
(2
kg)
boneless spiral sliced ham -
1-2
12 oz. bottle
(354
ml)
beer – preferably a spiced holiday ale for best flavor -
1
tablespoon
(15
ml)
dijon mustard
-
1
20 oz. can
(28
g)
crushed pineapple
– with its natural juice -
½
cup
(110
g)
dark brown sugar
– plus an additional ⅓ cup or more for the optional broiling step -
¼
teaspoon
(1
ml)
ground cloves
– optional, for a warmer spice note -
3
tablespoon
(44
ml)
cornstarch
Prevent your screen from going dark
Instructions
-
Position your Instant Pot trivet inside the inner pot and carefully place the boneless spiral sliced ham on the trivet, with the cut side down and the spiral slices facing upwards. This helps distribute the glaze.1 4-5-lb boneless spiral sliced ham
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine the crushed pineapple with its juice, Dijon mustard, dark brown sugar, and optional ground cloves. Pour in the beer and stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the sugar begins to dissolve, forming your flavorful braising liquid.1-2 12 oz. bottle beer,
1 tablespoon dijon mustard,
1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple,
½ cup dark brown sugar,
¼ teaspoon ground cloves -
Gently separate the ham slices with your fingers and slowly pour the pineapple-beer mixture over the ham, ensuring it seeps generously in between all the slices. Any excess liquid will collect at the bottom of the Instant Pot.
-
Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the sealing valve. Cook on manual pressure (or “Pressure Cook”) on High for 10 minutes. Once cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally to keep the ham moist and flavorful.
-
Once pressure has fully released, carefully remove the lid. Using the trivet handles, lift the ham out and transfer it to a broiler-safe baking dish. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm. Turn the Instant Pot to the “Sauté” setting to begin reducing the braising liquid.
-
In a small bowl, thoroughly stir together the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until a smooth slurry is formed. Add this slurry to the simmering liquid in the Instant Pot and continue to heat and stir for about 5 minutes, until the glaze has visibly thickened and reduced to a beautiful, syrupy consistency.3 tablespoon cornstarch
Broiling (Optional, but highly recommended!)
-
Preheat your oven’s broiler. Place the ham, now in its broiler-safe baking dish, on the center oven rack. Generously pour the thickened glaze over the top of the ham. For an extra caramelized crust, sprinkle an additional ⅓ cup or more of dark brown sugar on top of the glaze, gently pressing it into the spiral slices if desired.
-
Broil the ham for 3-5 minutes, keeping a very close eye on it to prevent burning. Remove when the top of the ham is beautifully caramelized, browned, and slightly crispy. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Last Step!
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Notes
- Storing Leftovers: To maintain its freshness and flavor, place your leftover ham, whether it’s whole slices or smaller pieces, into an airtight container or a reliable food storage bag. When properly stored in the refrigerator, it will remain delicious for up to 3 days, perfect for quick meals or snacks.
- Freezing Leftovers: Extend the life of your delicious ham by freezing it! Cut the ham into individual serving-sized slices or chunks. Place them into a freezer-safe bag, ensuring you include some of the luscious pan juices or glaze with the ham. This extra moisture is key to keeping the ham tender and flavorful upon reheating. Squeeze out as much air as possible from the bag before sealing. For added protection against freezer burn, consider using a second bag. Frozen ham can be safely stored for 2-3 months.
Slow Cooker Ham Variation: For a hands-off approach, you can adapt this recipe for your slow cooker. Simply pour the prepared pineapple/beer mixture directly over your ham in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the ham is heated through and tender. Instead of thickening the glaze in the Instant Pot, transfer the liquid to a medium saucepan on the stovetop. Bring to a simmer, then whisk in the cornstarch slurry (as instructed in step 5 of the pressure cooker method) and cook until thickened and reduced. Once the glaze is ready, transfer your cooked ham to a baking dish, pour the thickened glaze over it, and proceed with the optional broiling step as normal to achieve that gorgeous caramelized crust.
Nutrition
Serving:
6
oz
|
Calories:
487
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
9
g
|
Protein:
39
g
|
Fat:
30
g
|
Saturated Fat:
11
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
3
g
|
Monounsaturated Fat:
14
g
|
Cholesterol:
112
mg
|
Sodium:
2174
mg
|
Potassium:
538
mg
|
Fiber:
1
g
|
Sugar:
5
g
|
Vitamin A:
1
IU
|
Vitamin C:
1
mg
|
Calcium:
20
mg
|
Iron:
2
mg
Nutrition Disclaimer
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