Tillie Doyle
Cooking ham steaks in a crock pot is a great way to prepare uncured cuts of meat. It is a simple process that can deliver juicy results. The first step is to brine the ham steak in saltwater with garlic. Then, brown the meat in a pan and place it in the crock pot with vegetables and broth. You can also add a sauce or glaze to the ham steak before cooking it in the crock pot for at least four hours.
Characteristics and their values for cooking fresh ham steak in a crock pot:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of ham | Fresh uncured ham steak |
| Ingredients | Ham steak, butter, flour, chicken stock, salt, pepper, chives, parsley, garlic, mushrooms, crock pot, pineapple juice, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, honey |
| Crock pot size | 6-quart oval crockpot |
| Ham size | 4-5 lbs boneless ham or 2-3 lbs bone-in ham |
| Servings | 6-8 people |
| Cooking time | 4-6 hours |
| Temperature | Low |
| Internal temperature | 140°F |
| Resting time | 15 minutes |
| Glaze | Honey, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar |
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What You'll Learn
How to select the right cut of fresh ham steak
Selecting the right cut of fresh ham steak is crucial for achieving the desired taste and texture when cooking in a crock pot. Here are some factors to consider:
Ham Variety
Firstly, understand the different varieties of ham available. Bone-in hams, for instance, retain more natural pork essence as the bone leaches rich flavours during the cooking process. Spiral-cut hams, on the other hand, have deep slashes that allow glazes, juices, and spices to permeate faster and deeper, resulting in a quicker cooking time. Uncured hams, or fresh hams, have a milder taste and cook faster due to their higher water content.
Size and Quantity
The size of the ham steak you choose depends on the number of people you intend to feed. A good rule of thumb is to estimate approximately 1/2 pound of boneless ham or 3/4 pound of bone-in ham per person. For a large group, consider a bigger ham, ensuring it fits snugly in your crock pot with about 2 inches of clearance on all sides for even heat circulation.
Cooking Requirements
Different cuts of ham have unique cooking requirements. For instance, spiral-cut hams may dry out faster than whole, uncut hams, so they require more frequent basting and careful monitoring to prevent overcooking. Uncured hams, due to their higher water content, cook faster and may require adjustments to cooking time and temperature settings.
Personal Preferences
Consider your personal preferences for taste and texture. Bone-in hams offer a richer flavour profile, while spiral-cut hams are convenient for serving and allow for faster cooking. Uncured hams provide a milder taste and a paler colour due to the absence of curing salts.
When selecting the right cut of fresh ham steak for your crock pot, it's important to understand how factors like variety, size, cooking requirements, and your personal preferences will influence the cooking process and the final outcome.
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Preparing the crock pot and ingredients
To prepare your crock pot and ingredients for cooking fresh ham steak, begin by selecting the right size of ham. The ham should fit snugly in your crock pot with about 2 inches of clearance on all sides for even heat circulation. For example, a 6-quart crockpot can typically accommodate a 4-5 lb boneless ham or a 2-3 lb bone-in ham. If your ham is too large, you can trim it to fit, or cover your crock pot with foil and then place the lid on top.
Next, gather your ingredients. Fresh ham steaks are uncured and have a milder, subtly sweet taste with a pale pink hue. You can brine the ham steak in saltwater with chopped garlic for 1 hour to overnight, depending on how much salt flavor you want. Alternatively, you can simply rub herbs and pepper on both sides of the meat.
If you plan to include vegetables in your crock pot, consider options like carrots, potatoes, onions, or green beans. You can also add beans, stock or water, salt, and pepper to taste.
For a glaze, you can combine pineapple juice with brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and honey. Slather this mixture over the ham before cooking to infuse extra flavor.
Now, your crock pot and ingredients are prepared and ready for cooking!
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for fresh ham steak in a crock pot can vary depending on the weight of the steak and the desired level of doneness. It's important to note that uncured ham steaks have a higher water content and therefore cook faster than cured steaks.
For a 4-5 lb boneless ham or a 2-3 lb bone-in ham, a cooking time of 4-6 hours on low heat in the crockpot is recommended. This will ensure that the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F, which is safe for consumption. If you prefer your ham to be more well-done, you can cook it for a longer period or adjust the temperature. However, it's important not to overstuff the crockpot, as this can lead to uneven cooking.
If you're in a hurry, you can cook the ham steak on high heat for at least 4 hours. This will produce similar results, but it's important to keep an eye on the ham to ensure it doesn't dry out.
Additionally, the shape of your crockpot matters. A 6-quart oval crockpot is ideal for the aforementioned ham sizes, but if your ham doesn't fit with the lid snugly, you may need to trim the steak or use foil to create a tight seal.
For smaller hams, you can reduce the cooking time accordingly. For example, a 2-pound ham would require a shorter cooking time than a larger ham. As a guide, estimate approximately ½ pound of boneless ham or ¾ pound of bone-in ham per person when determining cooking time and temperature.
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Glazing and basting the ham steak
Firstly, understand the role of glazing and basting. Glazing refers to applying a sweet and sticky coating to the surface of the ham steak, enhancing flavour and creating a desirable appearance. Basting, on the other hand, involves spooning or brushing juices over the meat during cooking to keep it moist and juicy.
Now, let's discuss the process. Begin by selecting a suitable glaze for your ham steak. A popular option is a mixture of brown sugar, mustard or Dijon, vinegar or balsamic vinegar, and honey. You can also experiment with other ingredients such as butter, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to create a unique flavour profile. Combine these ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Before glazing, ensure your ham steak is prepared properly. This includes trimming, scoring, and studding techniques, which allow the glaze to penetrate deeper into the meat, maximizing flavour. Place your ham steak in a crock pot, cut-side down, and pour pineapple juice into the pot to add a complementary flavour to the glaze.
Apply the glaze evenly over the surface of the ham steak. Use a brush or spoon to generously coat the meat. You can also add whole spices or herbs to the glaze for extra flavour and presentation.
During the cooking process, baste your ham steak periodically. Basting helps keep the meat moist and prevents it from drying out. Use a spoon or brush to drizzle the pan juices over the ham steak. Depending on your recipe and cooking time, baste your ham steak halfway through the cooking process and again about an hour before it's done.
Finally, don't forget to rest your ham steak after cooking. Tent it with foil to keep it warm and let it rest for about 15 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender steak. After resting, you can glaze it again or serve the glaze on the side.
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Serving suggestions and storage
Ham steak is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes. You can serve it with a glaze, or plain with one or two accompaniments. For a touch of sweetness to balance the savoury ham, try sides like Jalapeno Cornbread, or Roasted Acorn Squash. A charred, high-heat sear is also a delicious way to serve ham steak.
For a simple side, a salad is a good option. Instead of leafy greens, try a heartier salad like broccoli and cauliflower, or a French-inspired mixed green salad with a vinaigrette dressing. Other simple sides include roasted vegetables such as onions, bell peppers, garlic cloves, eggplants, zucchini, and summer squash.
For a more indulgent side, try Hasselback potatoes with butter, garlic, and Parmesan, or creamy mashed potatoes with Yukon gold potatoes, heavy cream, butter, chives, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried herbs.
Ham steak is also delicious when cubed and sautéed, then added to Mac and cheese, frittatas, scrambled eggs, hash, quesadillas, or ham and spinach quiche. You can also chop it finely and use it in a ham salad with pecans, dried cranberries, celery, mayo, and onion.
If you're serving a large group, you can go with a larger ham. A good rule of thumb is to estimate approximately half a pound of boneless ham per person, or three-quarters of a pound of bone-in ham per person.
When storing leftover ham, it's important to follow food safety guidelines. According to the USDA, cooked leftover ham can be refrigerated and consumed within 3-5 days, or frozen for up to two months. For freezing, wrap the ham in freezer-safe plastic wrap or heavy-duty aluminium foil and store it in a resealable freezer bag. The ideal freezing temperature is 0°F (-18°C) or below.
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Frequently asked questions
Recipes suggest cooking a fresh ham steak in a crock pot for 4-6 hours on a low setting. However, some recipes suggest cooking it for as little as 4 hours on a high setting.
The size of the ham steak you use depends on the size of your crock pot. A 6-quart oval crockpot can fit a 4-5 lb boneless ham or a 2-3 lb bone-in ham.
To cook a fresh ham steak in a crock pot, you will need butter, flour, chicken stock, salt, pepper, chives, parsley, garlic, mushrooms, and optionally, carrots and potatoes.
First, brine the ham steak in saltwater with garlic for 1 hour to overnight. Then, pat the ham dry and rub herbs and pepper on both sides of the meat. Finally, brown the meat in a pan and place it in the crock pot.
Cook the ham steak in the crock pot until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part reaches 140°F.
