For many families, the centerpiece of a holiday meal defines the celebration. Turkey often stars at Thanksgiving, prime rib at New Year’s Eve gatherings, and corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day. At Christmas, a spiral-cut city ham is a classic choice: convenient, flavorful, and easy to serve. This recipe pairs spicy brown mustard with brown sugar, honey, and pineapple to create a balanced sweet-and-spicy glaze that soaks into each spiral slice. Using a fully cooked spiral-cut ham means the flavors meld quickly and the result is tender, juicy slices with a caramelized exterior if you choose to finish it under the broiler.
Ingredients
- 1 city ham, fully cooked, spiral cut — sized to fit your Instant Pot (2–6 pounds)
- 1 cup spicy brown mustard
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 20 oz can pineapple tidbits with juice
Equipment
- Electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot) with trivet and insert
- Optional: baking sheet for broiling
Preparation and Cooking Instructions
Begin by plugging in your Instant Pot and placing the insert into the cooker. Set the trivet inside the insert so the ham sits above the liquid. If your ham is too large to fit comfortably, trim excess around the edges so it fits without crowding.
Generously brush the entire ham with the spicy brown mustard, making sure to work the mustard into the spiral cuts so the flavor penetrates each slice. Press the ham onto the trivet with the cut side down.
Evenly press the brown sugar onto the mustard-coated ham. The sugar layer adheres better if you press it gently into the mustard. Drizzle the honey over the brown sugar, then pour the pineapple tidbits and their juice across the top, allowing some juice to collect in the bottom of the pot. The pineapple juice helps create steam and a subtle fruit flavor that complements the sweet-and-spicy glaze.
Secure the Instant Pot lid and move the valve to the SEALING position. Select the “Meat” or “Manual” setting on high pressure and set the cook time to 15–20 minutes, depending on the size of your ham and how deeply you want the glaze to infuse. The cooker will take several minutes to come up to pressure before timing begins; the display will show “ON” while it heats.
When the pressure cooking completes, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for 15 minutes. Natural pressure release helps the ham retain moisture and ensures the glaze settles into the slices. During natural release, the display may count up to indicate elapsed minutes. After the 15-minute natural release, carefully move the valve to the venting position if needed and wait for the float valve to drop before opening the lid.
Remove the ham carefully using two utensils for support. At this point, the ham will be fully heated and glazed. For a crisp, caramelized edge, arrange slices on a baking sheet and broil in a preheated oven for a few minutes—watch closely so the sugar does not burn. Broiling yields a beautifully browned exterior while keeping the interior moist.
Serving Suggestions
This ham pairs well with traditional holiday sides such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, or a bright winter salad. Leftovers make excellent sandwiches; drizzle a little of the reserved pan juices over slices for extra flavor.
Tips
- If your ham is particularly large, increase the pressure-cook time slightly, but because it is already fully cooked, avoid excessive cooking to prevent dryness.
- Adjust the amount of spicy mustard or brown sugar to taste if you prefer sweeter or more pungent flavors.
- Save any leftover glaze or juices; reheated gently, they make a flavorful sauce for reheated slices.
