Instant Pot Ham with Pineapple Glaze and Smashed Potatoes

Instant Pot ham with pineapple glaze pairs a smoked, non-spiral ham with pineapple chunks, brown sugar, ground mustard, and tamari. Pressure cooking infuses the ham with the sweet-savory cooking liquid, and a quick cornstarch slurry turns that liquid into a thicker sauce to spoon over the meat. The same video also includes chunky smashed baby gold potatoes.

The two parts use separate methods: the ham cooks in the Instant Pot, while the potatoes boil on the stovetop and are smashed with cream cheese, sour cream, scallions, and parsley. Start the potatoes while the ham cooks, then season them to taste. This makes a holiday-style main and side from one video, with the potatoes intentionally left chunky rather than whipped smooth.

An Easy Instant Pot Ham Dinner with Pineapple Glaze

I love a meal that feels special enough for a holiday but is easy enough to make any time of year. This Instant Pot Ham with Pineapple Glaze and Smashed Potatoes is a wonderful example!

The ham cooks in the Instant Pot with pineapple, brown sugar, ground mustard, and tamari for a delicious combination of sweet and savory flavors.

While the ham is cooking, I prepare baby gold potatoes on the stovetop and mash them with cream cheese, sour cream, scallions, and fresh parsley.

And here’s one of my favorite parts: after the ham finishes cooking, I use the pineapple cooking liquid to make a delicious sauce to spoon over the meat.

It’s a comforting homemade dinner with two delicious components, and you don’t need to spend hours standing over the stove.

My Tips for the Best Instant Pot Pineapple-Glazed Ham

Choose the right ham. I use a 4-pound smoked ham that isn’t spiral-cut. This helps the ham stay together during pressure cooking.

Save the pineapple juice. Drain the pineapple chunks, but don’t throw away the juice! It’s an important part of the cooking liquid and glaze.

Place the pineapple underneath the ham. I put the pineapple chunks in the bottom of the Instant Pot and set the ham cut side down on top.

Mix the seasonings with the juice. Stir the tamari and ground mustard into the reserved pineapple juice before pouring it over the ham.

Add the brown sugar on top. Rub the brown sugar over the ham, letting any extra fall into the pot.

Thicken the sauce after cooking. Once the ham comes out, use the Sauté setting and a cornstarch slurry to turn the cooking liquid into a delicious glaze.

Keep the potatoes chunky. I prefer these smashed potatoes with some texture rather than whipping them until completely smooth.

Why Pineapple and Ham Work So Well Together

Ham has a wonderful salty, smoky flavor, and pineapple is one of my favorite ingredients to pair with it.

The pineapple juice and brown sugar add sweetness, while the ground mustard and tamari bring a savory balance.

As the ham cooks, those flavors come together in the Instant Pot.

Then, instead of discarding the cooking liquid, we thicken it into a sauce.

It’s a simple way to add lots of flavor without preparing a separate glaze from scratch.

And those pineapple chunks are delicious served alongside the ham!

How to Make the Pineapple Glaze

One of the things I love about this recipe is that the glaze practically makes itself.

After pressure cooking the ham for 10 minutes and releasing the pressure, remove the ham and pineapple chunks from the Instant Pot.

Set the Instant Pot to Sauté.

In a small bowl, stir together three teaspoons of cornstarch and three teaspoons of cold water until smooth.

Pour the slurry into the cooking liquid and stir.

Let the sauce cook for a few minutes until it’s thickened and bubbly.

Now you have a delicious pineapple sauce that’s ready to spoon over the sliced ham.

My Favorite Chunky Smashed Potatoes

These aren’t your traditional smooth and fluffy mashed potatoes.

I like leaving some texture in my smashed potatoes, and baby gold potatoes are wonderful for this recipe.

Start by placing the washed potatoes in a large pot of cold water.

Bring the water to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender.

After draining them, return the potatoes to the hot pot and move them around for a moment to help evaporate any remaining water.

Then transfer them to a large bowl and mash them to your preferred consistency.

I add softened cream cheese, sour cream, sliced scallions, chopped fresh parsley, kosher salt, and black pepper.

The cream cheese and sour cream make the potatoes rich and creamy, while the scallions and parsley add a delicious fresh flavor.

I like to start with a little less sour cream and add more until the potatoes are just the way I want them.

How to Time the Ham and Potatoes

One question you might have is how to get both parts of this dinner ready at approximately the same time.

I recommend getting the ham started in the Instant Pot first.

While the pressure cooker comes to pressure and cooks the ham, prepare the baby gold potatoes on the stovetop.

Once the potatoes are tender, drain and mash them with the cream cheese, sour cream, scallions, and parsley.

When the ham finishes cooking, remove it from the Instant Pot and make the pineapple sauce.

Then everything is ready to bring to the table.

Remember that the 10-minute pressure-cooking setting doesn’t include the time the Instant Pot needs to come to pressure.

What to Serve with Pineapple-Glazed Ham

Since this recipe already includes smashed potatoes, you have a wonderful start to a complete dinner.

I like adding something green to balance the sweet pineapple glaze and rich potatoes.

Roasted green beans, steamed broccoli, asparagus, or a simple green salad would all be delicious.

For a holiday dinner, you could also serve homemade dinner rolls or another favorite vegetable side dish.

And don’t forget to put a little extra pineapple sauce on the table!

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

One of the great things about making ham is having leftovers for another meal.

Allow the cooked ham and potatoes to cool slightly, then refrigerate them promptly in separate airtight containers.

Use refrigerated leftovers within three to four days.

To reheat the ham, add a little of the reserved pineapple sauce to help keep it moist.

Reheat the potatoes gently, stirring in a small amount of milk or sour cream if they need a little extra moisture.

For food safety, reheat leftovers to 165°F (74°C).

You can also freeze leftover ham for another recipe. I like portioning it before freezing so it’s easy to use later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of ham should I use?

I use a 4-pound smoked ham that isn’t spiral-cut. Check the package to determine whether your ham is fully cooked and follow the manufacturer’s handling instructions.

How long does the ham cook in the Instant Pot?

The recipe uses 10 minutes on high pressure, followed by a quick release. Remember to allow additional time for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.

Can I use soy sauce instead of tamari?

Yes! I use low-sodium tamari, but low-sodium soy sauce works as well.

Do I need fresh pineapple?

No. This recipe uses a 20-ounce can of pineapple chunks in juice. Just be sure to reserve the juice when draining the pineapple.

How do I thicken the pineapple sauce?

Mix three teaspoons of cornstarch with three teaspoons of cold water. Stir the slurry into the hot cooking liquid using the Instant Pot’s Sauté setting and cook until thickened.

Do I need to peel the baby gold potatoes?

No peeling step is required in this recipe. Wash the baby gold potatoes thoroughly before cooking.

Can I make the potatoes smoother?

Absolutely! I prefer a chunky texture, but you can mash the potatoes more thoroughly if that’s what your family enjoys.

How much sour cream should I use?

I use approximately four to five ounces, depending on how creamy I want the potatoes. Start with four ounces and add more as needed.

Can I prepare the potatoes while the ham cooks?

Yes! That’s exactly how I recommend preparing this meal. The ham cooks in the Instant Pot while the potatoes cook on the stovetop.

More Delicious Instant Pot and Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoy easy homemade meals and holiday favorites, here are a few more recipes from my kitchen to try.

• Instant Pot Ham and Lentil Soup – A wonderful way to turn leftover ham into a hearty soup with lentils, vegetables, and herbs.
• Pomegranate Maple-Glazed Holiday Ham – Another delicious holiday ham with a sweet and tangy pomegranate glaze.
• Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes – A flavorful side dish with maple syrup, garlic, and a little ancho chile powder.
• Instant Pot Vegetarian Gravy – A homemade gravy that’s delicious with mashed potatoes and holiday side dishes.

I hope you’ll give this Instant Pot Ham with Pineapple Glaze and Smashed Potatoes a try! It’s a delicious combination of sweet, savory, and comforting flavors, and I love that the Instant Pot makes preparing the ham so convenient.

If you’d like to see exactly how I prepare both the ham and those chunky smashed potatoes, be sure to watch the video!

Watch Dr. J Make Instant Pot Ham with Pineapple Glaze and Smashed Potatoes

Watch Dr. J make Instant Pot Ham with Pineapple Glaze and Smashed Potatoes and see how it comes together.