This is the best ever glazed ham steak recipe! It’s delicious enough for Christmas dinner, but simple and quick enough for an easy weeknight meal. This family favorite uses pantry staples and is on the table in only 15 minutes.
Ham Steak Recipe
This ham steak recipe is quick, easy, and so incredibly delicious! The ham steaks are seared until they’re perfectly golden brown and coated in a sweet and tangy glaze that complements the salty flavor of the ham perfectly.
The sticky sweet glaze is made with apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper. Once you try this easy homemade glaze, you’ll never want to use store-bought again!
This is a great way to use up your leftover holiday ham, but it’s so good that I sometimes buy ham steaks from the grocery store just to make it. These easy ham steaks will quickly become a family favorite, and I’m sure everyone will ask for seconds!
I normally serve these glazed ham steaks for dinner with some easy side dishes, like a microwave baked potato or these air fryer sweet potato cubes. I’ve also been known to serve the leftovers with some eggs, biscuits, and white gravy for a hearty breakfast or brunch. It’s such a delicious combination!
Ingredients
Ham Steaks: These are versatile, tasty, and quick to cook, which makes them a great choice for a weeknight dinner.
Butter: Butter adds a rich, creamy flavor that complements the ham.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar gives your ham steaks a tangy kick that contrasts perfectly with the sweetness of the brown sugar.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor that balances out the savory and tangy flavors in this recipe. It also helps to caramelize the surface of the ham, giving it a beautiful, golden-brown finish.
Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is a great way to add a quick hit of flavor. It disperses more evenly throughout the glaze, plus you don’t have to worry about accidentally burning the fresh garlic while cooking.
Ground Ginger: Ground ginger adds a slightly sweet, warm, and spicy flavor to the glaze.
Black Pepper: A sprinkle of black pepper adds a touch of heat and sharpness, which enhances the overall flavor of the dish. Keep in mind that freshly ground black pepper will be spicier than pre-ground black pepper.
Alternative Ingredients: If you’re out of brown sugar, you could substitute it with honey or even maple syrup for a different kind of sweetness. If you don’t have ground ginger, try using fresh ginger or a dash of cinnamon for a unique twist. You could also add some mustard to the glaze for an extra tangy kick.
How To Cook Ham Steak
Melt the butter: Start by heating a large non-stick skillet on the stove. Once your skillet is hot, add some butter and let it melt. Swirl to coat the bottom of the skillet. (See the recipe card below for the full printable instructions.)
Sear the ham steaks: Place your ham steaks in the skillet and sear them until they’re browned. After searing one side, flip them to sear the other side.
Prepare the glaze: Add apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, ginger, and pepper to a small bowl and whisk together.
Add the Glaze: Remove the ham steaks from the skillet and add the remaining butter and glaze ingredients. Mix and heat until everything has dissolved and the glaze is bubbling.
Cook the ham steaks: Add the ham steaks to the glaze, flipping them every so often to prevent burning and to allow the glaze to get sticky.
Serve: Once the ham steaks are warmed through and covered in a sticky glaze, remove them from the skillet and serve them hot. See the recipe card below for the full written instructions, including ingredient amounts, cooking times, and helpful tips, etc.
Pro Tips
- Remember to turn down the heat when you flip your ham steaks to prevent the glaze from burning.
- Don’t overcook your ham steaks. They are normally already fully cooked and only need to be heated through.
What Are Ham Steaks Good For?
Ham steaks are great for quick and easy meals. They are perfect for grilling, frying, or baking and can be used in a variety of dishes. You can serve them as a main dish with some delicious sides, or slice them up to add to casseroles, salads, or pasta dishes.
Is Ham Steak Already Cooked?
Most ham steaks you find in the grocery store are already fully cooked. However, they can be sold as “fresh” which means they aren’t ready to eat. The ones that are already cooked are typically smoked or cured which adds to their delicious flavor, so you’re essentially just warming them up and adding your favorite seasonings or glaze.
What Goes With Ham Steaks?
Ham steaks pair well with so many sides. Some of my favorites are creamy mashed potatoes, a fresh green salad, or roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or honey glazed carrots.
What’s The Difference Between Ham And Ham Steak?
Ham is a large cut of pork that comes from the back leg of a pig, while a ham steak is a thick slice cut from a whole ham.
What Is Another Name For Ham Steaks?
Ham steaks are also sometimes referred to as center-cut ham slices or ham center slices. These names are often used interchangeably in recipes and at the grocery store.
Is Country Ham Same As A Ham Steak?
Country ham is a type of ham that has been preserved by curing and often smoking, while a ham steak is a slice of fresh or cured ham.
Why Is My Ham Steak So Tough?
If your ham steak turns out tough, it is probably because it was overcooked. Keep an eye on them while you’re cooking them to make sure they’re just getting warmed through and aren’t being overcooked.
Does Ham Steak Taste Like Ham?
Yes, ham steak does taste like ham because it is ham! It’s just a different cut. Ham steaks are thick slices of a whole ham, so they have the same delicious, savory flavor.
Can Ham Steaks Be Eaten Cold?
Yes, fully cooked ham steaks can be eaten cold, but they’re a lot more flavorful when they’re warmed up. They make a great addition to salads or sandwiches if you’re looking for a quick meal.
Can Ham Steak Be A Little Pink?
Yes, it’s safe to eat ham steak that’s a little pink. The pink color is from the curing process and doesn’t indicate that the ham is undercooked.
How Do You Know When A Ham Steak Is Done?
Since most ham steaks are already fully cooked, you’re basically just heating them up. They’re done when they’re hot all the way through and have a nice, golden brown color on the outside due to the sear or glaze. Ham is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145F.
How Do You Heat Up A Ham Steak Without Drying It Out?
To heat up a ham steak without drying it out, make sure you have enough butter in the skillet and don’t set the burner to too high of a temperature. Allowing the ham steak to sear, then warm at a gentler heat helps to keep the steak moist and juicy.
Can You Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely! But, since this recipe is so quick and easy, and it tastes so much better fresh, I really recommend cooking it when you’re planning to serve it.
Can You Freeze Cooked Ham Steak?
Yes, you can freeze cooked ham steak. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe bag. It should keep for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Can You Use Different Vinegars for the Glaze?
You sure can! While this recipe calls for apple cider vinegar, you can experiment with other types of vinegar like balsamic or red wine vinegar. Each type of vinegar will add a unique flavor to the glaze.
Can You Use Fresh Garlic Instead Of Garlic Powder?
Yes, you can use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder. Fresh garlic will give the glaze a more robust flavor. Just mince it finely before adding it to the glaze, and watch that you don’t have the heat too high to prevent burning.
What’s The Best Way To Store Leftover Ham Steak?
Leftover ham steak should be cooled and then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 3 days.
Keep In Touch
I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram! @KeyToMyLime #KeyToMyLime
Dinner Recipes
If you like this recipe, be sure to check out all of our other dinner recipes. Some reader favorites are:
- Crockpot Green Beans Recipe
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Horseradish Sauce Recipe
- Instant Pot Ham Recipe
- Ham Gravy
- Ham Pot Pie
- Pioneer Woman’s Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
- Ham and Noodle Casserole
BEST Ham Steak Recipe with Brown Sugar Glaze (15 Minutes!)
This is the best ever glazed ham steak recipe! This quick and easy family favorite recipe uses pantry staples and takes only 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter (divided)
- 4 (4 ounce) ham steaks
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 Tablespoon of butter to the skillet and allow it to melt. Once melted, add the ham steaks to the pan and sear (2-3 minutes). Flip the ham steaks, turn the heat down to medium, and sear (another 2-3 minutes). Turning down the heat allows the pan to cool down enough for the glaze, but it will still be hot enough to give the ham steaks a nice sear on the second side. Once browned, transfer the ham steaks from the pan to a clean plate.
- To the skillet, add the remaining Tablespoon of butter, the apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, ginger, and pepper. Whisk together to combine. Heat the glaze for 1-2 minutes, or until everything has dissolved and the glaze is bubbling.
- Add the ham steaks back to the skillet. Move them around to coat them in the glaze, then flip and coat the second side. Cook the ham steaks in the glaze for a total of 10 minutes, flipping them every 2 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the ham steaks from the pan and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1/4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 274Total Fat: 16gCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0.1gSugar: 4.4gProtein: 25.8g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
This ham steak recipe makes the best quick and easy dinner. I hope you love it as much as I do!
