Ham steak is a classic weeknight dinner that has fallen out of favor in the last few decades. It’s a great time for reviving this dish and giving it a modern makeover. Using the right cut of meat provides the right texture and flavor without any issues with saltiness. Ham steaks are also versatile enough to cook in multiple ways, and we’ll discuss a few of them to give you more options.
What Kind of Ham to Use?
You’ll want a relatively thick slice of boneless or bone-in ham, cut from a traditional ham that is made from an entire leg of pork. Slices of other types of ham, such as picnic ham or ham made with chopped meat, are likely to turn out dry and too salty for this preparation method.
If you get an entire ham for the holidays and want to prepare some of the leftovers separately, you can use a large serrated knife to slice your own ham steaks from the center of it. However, the easiest way to prepare this dish is to get a cut and trimmed ham steak from the butcher.
Tips for Preparing the Perfect Ham Steak
There’s no need to soak a ham steak before cooking it unless you’ve already tasted the ham and found it too salty. Even if you want to add a glaze or other flavorings, you can simply limit the amount of extra salt added to balance out the flavors.
Smoked ham goes with a wide range of seasoning options like garlic and herbs, teriyaki glazes, or barbecue sauce. If you’re cooking the ham steak in the oven rather than in a frying pan, consider that the flavors will become concentrated by this particular method.
Glaze Variations
The glaze used in this recipe adds flavor and moisture to the ham steak without competing with the existing flavors from the curing and smoking process. If you’re interested in trying something different to spice up your dinner routine, consider:
- Lemon juice, garlic, and fresh thyme mixed with butter
- Chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Dijon mustard, and olive oil
- Orange or pineapple juice, onion powder, oregano, and crushed garlic
- Soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and a splash of plum sauce.
Side Dishes for Ham Steak
A starchy side dish like mashed potatoes or French fries is a great way to offset the delicious flavor of this ham steak. Fresh steamed asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower also bring out the meatiness of this dish.
Don’t forget about pairing ham steaks with beans, which has been a classic picnic pairing for decades. Baked beans work great with this glaze, but you can also try a three-bean salad or even refried beans topped with cheese.
Other Ways to Cook Ham Steak
A stainless steel skillet or cast iron pan is a reliable way to control the texture of the finished ham steak. Since the ham is fully cooked, you mainly need to add a sear to the surface and thicken the glaze before serving. You can also bake the ham steaks for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Watch out for ingredients like fresh herbs or minced garlic that might burn. If you put your ham steaks in a Crock Pot with your glaze ingredients, they’ll become soft and juicy in as little as 2 hours of cooking.
Most ham steaks can handle a short trip on the grill to increase the smokiness but watch out for making the meat too tough or dry. Covering the steak in barbecue sauce before it goes on the grill sets a perfect glaze while preventing dryness.
Glazed Ham Steak Recipe
Get familiar with the potential of the humble ham steak with this easy recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs of ham steaks, or between 2 and 4 steaks
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon or brown mustard
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon of olive or canola oil
Instructions
1. Mix the glaze ingredients. Unwrap the ham steaks or cut them from a full-sized ham. Trim off excess fat if there is any. Skin or glazed edges can be cut off or left on according to your preference.
2. Heat a cast iron pan or stainless steel skillet over medium heat. Add the olive or canola oil to the pan. While the oil is heating, brush the glaze onto the ham steaks with a brush. Place the ham steaks in the pan, adding only as many as can fit in the pan without crowding.
3. Brush on more glaze as the ham steaks cook if you desire. Cook for about 2 minutes per side before flipping. Let the glaze thicken and get a little browning on the edges of the steak. When the glaze is thick enough and the meat has begun to sizzle, remove it to a plate and serve immediately.
Notes
There is a chance that the ham steak will curl while it cooks, especially in an oven or on the stovetop. Slice the surface shallowly with a sharp knife in a diamond pattern to prevent this.
Conclusion
Serve up some ham steaks for a change from the rich taste of beef. This glazed recipe is sure to please even the pickiest eaters at the dinner table.
Glazed Ham Steak
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ham steaks, or between 2-4 steaks
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Dijon or brown mustard
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive or canola oil
Instructions
- Mix the glaze ingredients. Unwrap the ham steaks or cut them from a full-sized ham. Trim off excess fat if there is any. Skin or glazed edges can be cut off or left on according to your preference.
- Heat a cast iron pan or stainless steel skillet over medium heat. Add the olive or canola oil to the pan. While the oil is heating, brush the glaze onto the ham steaks with a brush. Place the ham steaks in the pan, adding only as many as can fit in the pan without crowding.
- Brush on more glaze as the ham steaks cook if you desire. Cook for about 2 minutes per side before flipping. Let the glaze thicken and get a little browning on the edges of the steak. When the glaze is thick enough and the meat has begun to sizzle, remove it to a plate and serve immediately.