Are you looking for a quick and easy meal that won’t leave you with a lot of leftovers? This Ham Steak Recipe with Brown Sugar Ham Glaze is perfect for you.
The ham steak in this recipe cooks in just 10 minutes on the stove and is juicy, slightly sweet, and full of savory goodness. It also comes with a delicious glaze. It’s the perfect portion for one and can be dressed up or down for any occasion.
When you pick up a package of ham slices from the deli or grab some leftover holiday ham, you may wonder what the best way is to cook it. After all, ham can easily dry out and toughen if cooked improperly.
The good news is that cooking ham slices is easy when you follow some simple tips. With the right techniques, you can transform plain ham into an irresistibly juicy, flavorful dish for any meal.
Getting Started with Ham Slices
Ham sold pre-sliced generally falls into two categories:
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Ready-to-eat (RTE) deli ham – This is fully cooked and cured ham that can be eaten straight from the package. Popular varieties include Black Forest ham and honey ham
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Cooked ham slices – These come from a whole, cooked bone-in or boneless ham. The ham was cooked but requires reheating before eating.
Other considerations when selecting ham slices
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Thickness – Thinner slices (1/4 inch) will cook faster than thick-cut slices (1/2 inch). Adjust cook times accordingly.
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Bone-in or boneless – Bone-in ham slices take longer to cook but add flavor. Boneless cook quicker.
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Cured or uncured – Cured ham is salted and/or smoked for preservation. Uncured ham is unprocessed.
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Sodium content – Cured ham tends to be higher in sodium. Check labels if limiting salt intake.
Picking the Best Cooking Method
You have versatility when it comes to cooking pre-sliced ham. Here are some top cooking methods:
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Pan-frying – Quick and adds lightly browned crispiness.
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Baking – Retains moisture and allows adding sauces or glazes.
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Broiling – Gives quicker, crisper results than baking.
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Grilling – Ideal for imparting smoky charcoal flavor.
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Microwaving – Fast but can dry out the ham.
The oven is ideal for cooking multiple slices, while the stovetop or grill work well for quicker cooking individual servings.
Oven-Baked Ham Slices
Baking ham slices in the oven is a simple, mess-free technique. The ham gently reheats while remaining tender and juicy.
Step 1 – Select thick or thin ham slices according to your preferred doneness. Thinner slices need less time.
Step 2 – Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
Step 3 – Brush with glaze, honey, brown sugar, pineapple juice or other liquid.
Step 4 – Bake at 350°F until heated through, 15-20 minutes usually does the trick.
Step 5 – Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end if you want crispy edges.
Step 6 – Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Baking gives you opportunity to add flavors like brown sugar, spices, or smoky bourbon. Apple juice, jellies, and preserves also pair wonderfully with baked ham.
Pan-Fried Ham Slices
For quick stovetop cooking, pan-frying is fast and gives you tasty browned ham:
Step 1 – Use a skillet with a small amount of oil or butter over medium-high heat.
Step 2 – dredge the ham lightly in flour or cornmeal first for extra crispy results.
Step 3 – Cook the slices for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned.
Step 4 – If the pan seems dry during cooking, add a bit more oil or butter.
Step 5 – Optionally, make a pan sauce from the browned bits after removing the ham.
Pan-frying adds a nice crust while keeping the interior moist. It brings out the flavorful browned bits from the ham for making sauces too.
Grilled Ham Slices
For outdoor cooking and smoky flavor, firing up the grill is an excellent option:
Step 1 – Heat gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat.
Step 2 – Lightly brush slices with oil or melting butter to prevent sticking.
Step 3 – Grill for 2-3 minutes per side with the lid closed as much as possible.
Step 4 – Move to indirect heat if slices are thicker or cook longer.
Step 5 – Brush with glaze or maple syrup during last few minutes if desired.
The grill imparts delicious smoky notes while giving your ham enticing grill marks. Hardwood chips or planks also add great smoked flavor.
Broiler Method
Using your oven’s broiler setting, you can cook ham slices quickly under direct high heat:
Step 1 – Place ham slices on a broiler pan or rimmed baking sheet lined with foil.
Step 2 – Broil 4-5 inches from heat, flipping once halfway through, for about 5 minutes total.
Step 3 – Watch carefully to avoid over-broiling.
The intense direct heat from above caramelizes the exterior while cooking the inside. It gives the same quick results as grilling.
Microwaved Ham
While the microwave can dry out ham, you can use it in a pinch:
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Use thick, boneless ham slices only.
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Layer slices between damp paper towels.
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Heat for 30 seconds at a time just until warm; do not overcook.
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Brush with glaze or sauce to add moisture.
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Let stand 2 minutes before serving.
Microwaving won’t give you the nice caramelized crust, but it’s fast, especially for reheating a single portion. Use it cautiously and heat ham just until warm.
Delicious Ways to Flavor Your Ham
Plain ham is tasty, but adding sauces, glazes, and other ingredients can take it to the next level. Consider flavoring with:
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Brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup
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Jams, jellies, fruit preserves
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Spices like ground mustard, cloves, nutmeg
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Sweet chili sauce or teriyaki
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Bourbon, rum, whiskey
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Citrus juices
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Pineapple slices
Brush glazes on during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking so they don’t burn. For pan-fried ham, make a quick sauce from the drippings.
Helpful Tips for Cooking Ham Slices
Follow these recommendations for the best results when cooking your ham:
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Let the meat sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before cooking for more even heating.
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Trim off excess outer fat, which can cause shrinkage and curling.
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Use a meat thermometer to ensure reheated ham reaches 140°F.
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Add liquid to pan while cooking to prevent drying out.
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Turn or flip ham slices at least once during cooking.
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Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing for juicier results.
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Store leftover cooked ham slices for 3-4 days refrigerated.
Common Problems and Easy Fixes
Even experienced cooks can occasionally encounter minor issues when cooking ham. Here are some quick troubleshooting tips:
Problem: Ham edges curling up.
Fix: Trim fatty edges or secure with toothpicks if pan-frying.
Problem: Ham is dry or tough after cooking.
Fix: Use lower heat and cook slowly. Add more liquid next time.
Problem: Ham slices are overcooked or burnt.
Fix: Watch heat closely and use lower temp or shorter cook time.
Problem: Ham is bland with no added flavor.
Fix: Brush with glaze, roll in spices, or use ham that is pre-flavored.
Problem: Ham sticks to the pan while cooking.
Fix: Use light coating of oil or butter in the pan before cooking.
With the right preparation and techniques, you can cook ham slices perfectly every time. Refer to this guide for foolproof oven-baked, pan-fried, grilled and broiled ham recipes.
Satisfying Ham Meals for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
In addition to cooking techniques, think about creative ways to serve your ham slices. Here are satisfying ham meal ideas:
Breakfast
- Eggs Benedict with ham
- Ham and cheese omelet or breakfast casserole
- Ham, egg and cheese sandwich
Lunch
- Ham and Swiss panini
- Ham, apple and brie sandwich
- Ham salad lettuce wraps
Dinner
- Ham fried rice
- Pasta carbonara with ham and peas
- Ham steak with pineapple glaze and roasted veggies
With so many cooking methods to choose from, you can enjoy ham slices for any meal of the day. Experiment with different techniques, flavors and menu pairings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Ham
If you’re new to working with ham, you probably have a few questions when getting started. Here are answers to some frequent queries:
How long does it take to cook ham slices?
- Thin ready-to-eat slices: 10-15 minutes
- 1/2-inch deli ham slices: 15-20 minutes
- 1-inch-thick ham steak: 20-30 minutes
What is the best way to reheat ham?
Low, slow heating in the oven keeps ham moist. Microwaving can dry it out. Glaze or sauce helps add moisture when reheating.
Should I flip ham while cooking?
Yes, turn or flip at least once to preventcurling and ensure even cooking.
What is the ideal finished temperature for cooked ham?
Cook until it reaches 140°F internally. Avoid overcooking.
Can I freeze cooked ham slices?
Cooked ham can be frozen for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Now that you’re armed with expert techniques for oven-baking, pan frying, broiling and more, you can cook ham slices like a pro. Refer to this guide whenever you need quick, foolproof ways to transform humble ham into a mouthwatering meal.
Why You’ll Love This Ham Steak Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 10 minutes.
- Minimal Ingredients: Requires only a handful of pantry staples.
- Perfect for One: Scaled down to serve just one person.
- Customizable: Easy to adapt based on your personal preferences.
- Balanced Flavors: The homemade glaze perfectly complements the savory ham.
Please scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full measurements and step-by-step instructions for this brown sugar ham steak recipe.
- Ham steak: Choose an 8-ounce ham steak that is fully cooked. You can find these in the meat section of most grocery stores, sometimes next to breakfast meats like bacon. Words like “fully cooked,” “cured,” or “hickory smoked” should be very clear on the packaging. ” Avoid uncooked versions for safety reasons. My go-to brand of ham is Smithfield Ham.
- Butter: To sear the ham steak and make it taste better, use 1 tablespoon of salted butter. Even if you only have unsalted butter, it will still work. You might want to add a pinch of salt.
- Cinnamon and brown sugar are two important ingredients that turn melted butter into a rich glaze for the ham. The ham is so tasty because the brown sugar makes it sweet and the cinnamon gives it a warm spice.
Ham steak can be made in a lot of different ways, so you can make it fit your tastes or dietary needs. Here’s how:
- Spicy Glaze: Use this glaze instead of the brown sugar and cinnamon glaze. For a kick, mix hot sauce and maple syrup together.
- For a mustard-glazed ham steak, mix some Dijon mustard with the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Pineapple-Topped: Cook your ham steak with pineapple rings or slices to make it taste more tropical. The sweet and tangy flavors work incredibly well with ham.
What To Serve With Ham
When you eat your single-serving ham steak, there are many tasty sides that will make this main dish one you’ll remember. Here are some detailed recommendations:
- Mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food side dish, and they go great with ham steak. No matter what, mashed potatoes are a must. Add a lot of butter and chives if you want to, or leave them plain.
- Green Beans Almondine: Sautéing fresh green beans with almonds gives your meal a nutty crunch and bright color that makes it look good as well as taste good.
- Potato Salad: A warm, sour German potato salad can be a nice change from a rich, meaty ham steak.
- Cornbread: A piece of home-baked cornbread makes the meal more Southern. Add a little honey on top for an extra sweet boost.
- Before you start cooking, read the whole recipe, including the section called “Ingredient Notes,” and look at the pictures that show the steps. This step-by-step guide will help you understand how to follow the recipe, so your ham steak will always be perfect. There is everything you need to know in the body of this recipe post, so don’t skip anything!
- Bring the ham to room temperature: Set the ham steak out for about 15 minutes until it’s at room temperature. This ensures even cooking.
- Warm up your pan. For a perfect sear on your ham steak, always start with a hot pan.
- You don’t have to use the brown sugar glaze on the ham steak. You can cook it according to the recipe and eat it plain if you’d rather.
- If you see a sale on ham steaks, buy a lot of them and freeze them. If you store them right, you can freeze them for up to three months.
You can substitute with honey, maple syrup, or regular granulated sugar.
Store this brown sugar glazed ham steak in the refrigerator, covered for 3-4 days.
Absolutely, just double the ingredient amounts.
Some readers have told me that their glaze hardens in the pan. It shouldn’t happen like this, and you can see from the video and pictures that the butter and brown sugar melt. This process can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the level of heat. If the glaze gets tough, it means the sauce was cooked for too long or the heat was too high.