15 Delicious Ways to Cook and Serve a Ham Steak

Ham steaks make for a quick and easy dinner, but it can get boring eating them plain over and over. So what are some tasty ways to prepare ham steaks and delicious sides to serve them with? With a little creativity, you can take this humble cut of meat to new heights.

Read on for my top 15 suggestions for making and serving ham steaks that go way beyond just frying them up plain. With recipes for glazes, egg dishes, salads, sandwiches and more, you’ll never get bored with ham steaks again!

1. Glaze with Brown Sugar and Butter

One of the simplest ways to dress up a ham steak is with a brown sugar and butter glaze As the ham cooks, the butter and sugar melt together into a sweet, sticky coating that adds flavor and crunch

Try this Brown Sugar Ham Steak Recipe – it only requires 5 ingredients and takes just 25 minutes total to prepare. The touch of sweetness pairs especially well with roasted or mashed potatoes.

2. Make a Sweet and Tangy Glaze

For a more complex flavor, whip up a glaze using ingredients like brown sugar, mustard, vinegar and spices.

This Glazed Ham Steaks Recipe combines Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and cloves for a sweet, tangy and slightly spicy coating. It transforms ordinary ham steaks into a restaurant-worthy dish.

3. Fry Ham Steaks with Redeye Gravy

Redeye gravy is a classic Southern way to infuse ham steaks with flavor. After frying the ham in a skillet, make the gravy by deglazing the pan drippings with coffee.

The bittersweet, earthy sauce soaks right into the ham as it simmers. Serve with flaky biscuits to sop up every last drop.

4. Bread and Pan Fry for Ham Croquettes

To give breaded ham steaks extra crunch, coat them in panko or crushed crackers before frying. For handy ham steak croquettes, finely chop the cooked ham and combine it with mashed potatoes.

Roll the mixture into balls, coat in breadcrumbs and fry until crispy. These are great for dipping in mustard or ketchup.

5. Dredge in Cornmeal Before Frying

For a super crispy crust, dredge ham steaks in cornmeal instead of plain breadcrumbs before frying. The coarse grains provide added texture and absorb less oil.

Jazz up the cornmeal with spices like paprika, garlic powder or cayenne pepper. The flavored crust pairs especially well with mac and cheese or potatoes.

6. Make Cheesy Ham Steak Quesadillas

For a quick Tex-Mex meal, stuff ham steaks into quesadillas with cheese, peppers and onions. Just fry the ham briefly until hot, then assemble the quesadillas and cook them in a skillet until the cheese melts.

Offer salsa, sour cream and guacamole as toppings for these satisfying ham steak quesadillas.

7. Bake Ham Steaks in BBQ Sauce

Bring on the sauce and bake ham steaks covered in tangy barbecue sauce for pulled pork-style flavor without the work.

Coat the steaks in your favorite bbq sauce and bake at 350°F until heated through and sticky. Shred the tender meat and pile it high on buns.

8. Skewer Ham Steaks for Kabobs

Take ham steaks outdoors by threading them onto skewers for grilled kabobs. Alternate chunks of ham with vegetables like pineapple, bell pepper and onion.

The high heat from the grill caramelizes the sugars in the ham and makes it irresistible. These kabobs pair well with rice or a fresh green salad.

9. Cook Ham Steaks in Creamy Sauces

Blanket ham steaks in comforting, creamy sauces as they cook for instant flavor. Smothered chicken flavors like mushroom, onion and pepper work exceptionally well.

The velvety sauce keeps the ham steaks incredibly moist. Serve them over egg noodles, mashed potatoes or biscuits to soak up every drop.

10. Make Breakfast Sandwiches

Ham steaks aren’t just for dinner – they make fantastic breakfast sandwiches too. Just fry one up, assemble on an English muffin or biscuit with cheese and an egg cooked to order.

Add a slice of tomato or avocado and you have a complete morning meal. The salty ham and rich egg yolk combine for an unbeatable flavor duo.

11. Fry Ham Steaks with Eggs

Rather than sandwiching it between bread, why not serve your ham steak topped with a sunny-side up or over easy fried egg?

The runny yolk acts as its own sauce and adds a luscious factor. Quick fried eggs take ham steaks up a notch at breakfast, lunch or dinner.

12. Enjoy Ham Steaks with Salads

For a lighter meal, pair your ham steaks with fresh, crisp salads. Spinach, kale or field greens contrast nicely with the salty meat.

Good options include tomato salad, arugula salad, or cucumber salad. Occasionally, I serve these steaks for brunch, and then I like to serve them with fried eggs, scrambled eggs, or poached eggs.

13. Make Ham Steak Lettuce Wraps

Skip the bread and wrap diced ham steaks in lettuce leaves for a low-carb, lighter meal. Romaine or iceberg lettuce work great.

Load the lettuce cups with extras like cheese, tomatoes, onion and mustard. The fresh vegetables and greens offset the richness of the ham.

14. Toss Chopped Ham Steak into Pasta

Boil some pasta like farfalle, penne or rotini, then throw in chopped ham steak along with tomatoes, spinach, olive oil and Parmesan.

The bits of ham add a meaty depth and plenty of extra protein to this easy one-skillet pasta dish. Serve with garlic bread for a hearty, satisfying meal.

15. Make Ham Steak Caesar Salad Wraps

This creative take on a Caesar salad uses ham steaks in place of chicken. Chop the cooked ham and toss it with romaine, Parmesan, Caesar dressing and croutons.

Wrap it all up in a tortilla or stuff into a hollowed out tomato or bell pepper for a fun hand-held Caesar salad.

Endless Ways to Enjoy Ham Steaks

As you can see, humble ham steaks can be so much more than just a bland fried meat. With a variety of quick cooking methods and flavorful accompaniments, you’ll never again be bored by this budget-friendly cut.

Which of these ham steak recipes and serving suggestions will you try first? Get creative with glazes, breadings, eggs, salads and more. Each option transforms ham steaks into a mouthwatering meal.

So grab a pack of ham steaks next time you’re grocery shopping. With this list of cooking inspiration, you can serve them over and over without losing your appetite. Get ready to become a ham steak connoisseur!