If you were like me, Thanksgiving seems like it was just yesterday. I’m not ready to make another big dinner yet. So for Christmas, I’m making these super simple ham steaks instead of a full glazed ham. They’re so incredibly quick, I get my ham fix, and I can spend Christmas day relaxing. These glazed ham steaks taste great and are so easy to make that I think I will start making them for dinner all the time.
A juicy, flavorful ham steak makes a satisfying entree for breakfast, lunch or dinner. While ham steak can certainly stand on its own, pairing it with complementary side dishes enhances the meal.
The right sides highlight the smoky, salty flavors of the ham while providing contrasting textures. They also add more nutrition and variety to the plate.
In this article, I’ll recommend 12 of the best side dish options to serve with ham steak. Keep reading to find the perfect pairings to match your ham!
1. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes mashed with butter, brown sugar and spices beautifully balance the savoriness of ham steak. The creamy, sweet potato puree also adds fiber vitamin A and potassium. Jazz up instant mashed sweet potatoes by stirring in cinnamon and chopped pecans.
2. Mac and Cheese
For ultimate comfort food, pair ham steak with ooey-gooey macaroni and cheese The cheesy pasta complements the ham’s richness Make it from scratch or dress up a boxed version with extra cheese, bacon bits or sautéed veggies.
3. Crispy Green Beans
The crispy crunch of breaded and fried green beans contrasts nicely with tender ham steak. For added flavor, toss fresh green beans in seasoned breadcrumbs or panko before baking or air frying. Fried okra, onion rings or zucchini also pair well.
4. Collard Greens
Slow cooked collard greens with smoked ham hocks or bacon are a classic Southern side for ham steak. The slightly bitter greens balance the ham’s sweet, salty flavor. You can buy prewashed bagged collards for easy prep.
5. Scalloped Potatoes
Creamy scalloped potatoes are a delicious match for ham steak. Thinly sliced russet or Yukon gold potatoes baked in a cheesy white sauce complement the ham perfectly. For a lighter option, swap in low-fat milk and top with crispy fried leeks.
6. Grilled Pineapple
Caramelized pineapple brings a touch of sweetness and acidity to balance ham steak’s richness. Grilling or broiling adds great charred flavor. Glaze pineapple slices with brown sugar, honey or maple syrup before cooking for the best caramelization.
7. Creamed Corn
Sweet creamed corn is a classic pairing for salty cured meats like ham. Make your own by simmering corn cut from the cob in cream or half and half. Or substitute canned or frozen creamed corn heated with butter and spices.
8. Coleslaw
A scoop of tangy coleslaw complements ham steak’s heaviness. For a lighter option, try vinegar-based coleslaw rather than mayo-dressed. Customize coleslaw with fruits like chopped apple or pineapple for more sweetness.
9. Cornbread
Warm skillet cornbread dotted with corn kernels gives a fun twist to basic bread. The slight sweetness and crunchy corn kernels pair wonderfully with ham steak. For moisture, brush hot cornbread with honey butter straight from the oven.
10. Baked Beans
No ham dinner is complete without baked beans! Their sweet, smoky barbecue flavor is made for ham steak. Jazz up canned beans or make your own batch loaded with bacon, onions, brown sugar and spices.
11. Roasted Root Vegetables
A roasted medley of carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes and beets adds color to the plate while complementing ham steak’s richness. Toss veggies in olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting until caramelized for maximum flavor.
12. Fried Apples
For a lighter, fruit-based accompaniment, sautéed apples pair wonderfully with ham steak. Fry sliced apples in butter, brown sugar and cinnamon until softened. Top with optional chopped pecans or cranberries for crunch.
Tips for Serving Ham Steak and Sides
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Allow 1-2 complementary sides for breakfast or lunch ham steak plates. Offer 2-3 sides for a heartier dinner.
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Look for contrasting colors, textures and flavors to create interest. For example, pair crispy fried okra with creamy sweet potato casserole.
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Warm or room temperature sides work best to prevent ham steak from cooling too quickly.
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For buffets, keep ham steak and cooked sides heated using chafing dishes or slow cookers.
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Offer condiments like mustard, mayo and ketchup for customizing plates.
With so many possibilities, you could enjoy ham steak with different perfect pairings all week long! Using classic Southern flavors as inspiration helps craft the ideal plates.
So break out the cast iron skillet for quick pan-fried ham steak any night of the week. Just add a couple favorite sides from this list, and you have an easy, delicious dinner the whole family will request again and again.
What Kind of Ham to Use
I like ham steak that is sliced thickly (½ inch thick) for this recipe because it makes it feel more like a main dish. You can find a lot of different kinds of sliced ham or sliced ham quarters in the grocery store, near the cured meats that are kept in the fridge. You can use any of them. It doesn’t matter how thinly you slice the ham; you’ll just cook it for less time in the next step, browning. And you may need to make more glaze if you’re trying to cover more pieces.
The glaze I used is a mix of sweet and sour flavors that gets thick and sticky. You can’t really taste the Dijon mustard at the end, but you can use a sweet, spicy, and smoky rub instead if you don’t have any or don’t like Dijon. I used this rub in my Glazed Pork Chops recipe.
How are the Leftovers?
I love, love, loved eating the leftovers of this ham. So much so that I think I might make this often for meal prep! These glazes don’t stay clear and shiny after being chilled, but they still taste great!
Ham Steak with Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe ~ Quick & So Easy!!
FAQ
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