Steaming Ham: The Ultimate Guide To Perfection

Ham steak is a versatile dish that can be cooked in several ways, including pan-frying, grilling, and baking. It is a convenient option for those who want to enjoy ham without cooking a whole ham roast. The cooking process is relatively quick and easy, making it a perfect choice for a quick dinner or a hearty breakfast. Ham steaks are typically sold as fully cooked slices, but they can also be made from leftover baked ham or even fresh ham. The key to a delicious ham steak lies in the glaze, which can be sweet, tangy, or spicy, depending on your preference. A classic brown sugar glaze is a popular choice, but you can also experiment with alternatives like honey, maple syrup, or even apricot jam. Whether you're serving it with eggs for breakfast or pairing it with sides like mashed potatoes and green beans for dinner, ham steak is a tasty and convenient option for any meal.

Pan-frying ham steaks

Pan-frying is a quick and easy way to cook ham steaks, taking around 15-20 minutes. It's a versatile method that allows you to add glazes or seasonings to enhance the flavour of the ham. Here's a step-by-step guide to pan-frying ham steaks:

Step 1: Prepare the Ham

Fully cooked ham steaks are typically used for pan-frying. Each steak should be around 8 ounces, and you can opt for boneless or bone-in, depending on your preference. If the ham is frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.

Step 2: Gather Your Ingredients and Tools

You'll need a large skillet or frying pan, preferably non-stick, and a source of fat such as butter, olive oil, or cooking spray. For added flavour, you can also prepare seasonings or a glaze. Common seasonings include garlic powder, thyme, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. For a glaze, you can use brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or a combination of these ingredients.

Step 3: Heat the Pan

Place your skillet over medium heat. If using butter, add it now and swirl it around to coat the bottom of the pan. If using cooking spray or oil, coat the pan generously to prevent the ham from sticking. Wait until the butter melts and starts foaming, or until the oil is hot, before proceeding to the next step.

Step 4: Cook the Ham Steaks

Place the ham steaks in the pan, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Fry the ham steaks for a few minutes on each side until they are browned and warmed through. If desired, you can sprinkle your chosen seasonings on the ham steaks as they cook. For a glaze, add it to the pan after the ham steaks have been seared on the first side, then turn them over to coat the other side.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the ham steaks are browned and cooked to your liking, transfer them to plates and drizzle or brush with the pan juices or glaze. Ham steaks go well with a variety of side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.

Glaze ingredients and alternatives

A glaze is easy to make and adds a delicious flavour to a roast ham. The best glaze for a baked ham will usually contain either honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup. The saltiness of the ham and the sweetness of the glaze complement each other perfectly. All three of these ingredients give a dark, syrupy consistency that works perfectly as a glaze.

For a sweet-salty flavour, a ham glaze recipe needs just a few minutes and a handful of ingredients. A basic recipe includes pineapple slices, maraschino cherries, light brown sugar, and yellow mustard. However, there are many alternatives and additions you can make to a glaze.

If you want to replace the light brown sugar, you could use dark brown sugar, honey, melted apricot jam, or apple jelly. For a tangy flavour, use orange, pineapple, or apple juice. You can also add spices such as Dijon mustard with a pinch of clove or ginger. If you want to add a kick to your glaze, try garlic powder or fresh garlic, ground ginger, or black pepper.

If you want to decorate your ham, you can add whole cloves between each cut. However, some people may not appreciate chewing on hidden cloves, so this is optional.

How to Glaze a Ham

Firstly, score the ham or thin skin on top to allow the glaze to get into the meat. If you are using a spiral ham, you don't need to do this as the glaze will seep between the slices naturally.

Roughly 30 minutes before your ham is done cooking, remove it from the oven and apply the glaze. Use a basting brush to generously apply the glaze to the outside of the ham, and repeat for extra flavour. Put the ham back in the oven and finish baking.

Ham steak grilling guide

A ham steak is a thick slice of ham, usually cut from the centre of the pork leg. It is a great option when you want a ham but don't want to cook a whole joint. They are usually sold fully cooked, so you are just heating them up and browning them a little.

Grilling Your Ham Steak

Grilling your ham steak is a great way to add a smoky flavour to your dish. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Grease your grill with oil and heat to a medium to high heat.
• Place your ham steak on the grill and cook for several minutes until browned.
• Flip the steak over and add your glaze. You could try a classic brown sugar glaze, or something more spicy or tangy.
• Continue to flip and glaze the steak until you have nice grill marks on the surface.
• Serve with your choice of sides.

Other Methods

If grilling is not an option, you can also pan-fry or bake your ham steak.

Pan-Frying

• Coat a frying pan with oil or butter and place over a medium heat.
• Fry the ham steak for a few minutes on each side until browned and warmed through.
• Remove from the pan and add your glaze to the pan.
• Return the ham to the pan and cook, turning often, until heated through.

Baking

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Line a baking sheet with foil and place the ham steak on top.
• Bake for around 30 minutes, or until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

Ham steaks are usually served with something sweet to balance out the saltiness of the meat. Try a classic brown sugar glaze, or serve with pineapple, honey, maple syrup, or apricot jam.

You can also serve your ham steak with creamy mashed potatoes, a fresh green salad, or roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or honey-glazed carrots.

Enjoy!

Baking ham steaks

Preheat the Oven:

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the ideal temperature for baking ham steaks.

Prepare the Baking Sheet:

Line a baking sheet with foil. This will make cleanup easier and help to catch any drippings from the ham.

Prepare the Ham Steaks:

If your ham steaks are frozen, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking. For the best results, bring the ham steaks to room temperature (about 15 minutes) before placing them in the oven. You can also brush the ham steaks with a glaze or seasoning of your choice before baking.

Bake the Ham Steaks:

Place the ham steaks on the prepared baking sheet and put them in the preheated oven. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the ham steaks are heated through and have a nice golden colour.

Serve and Enjoy:

Once the ham steaks are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Ham steaks go well with a variety of sides, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.

Storage and Reheating:

Leftover ham steaks can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, cover them and warm in the microwave at 50% power or in the oven at a low temperature to prevent drying out the meat.

Ham steak serving suggestions

Ham steak is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your ham steak:

Classic Sides

A few classic sides that pair well with ham steak include:

• Mashed potatoes: This ultimate comfort food is a perfect match for the salty ham, and you can doll it up with a sprinkle of chives or keep it simple.
• Green beans: Fresh green beans sautéed with almonds add a crunchy texture and vibrant colour to your plate.
• Potato salad: Try a warm and tangy German potato salad for a refreshing contrast to the rich, meaty ham steak.
• Roasted vegetables: Ham steak goes well with roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts or honey-glazed carrots.
• Cornbread: Add a Southern touch with a slice of cornbread, and drizzle with honey for extra sweetness.

Sweet Glazes

Ham's salty flavour is often balanced with something sweet. Here are some glaze ideas:

• Brown sugar: This traditional option adds sweetness and a hint of molasses.
• Honey: Drizzle honey over your ham steak for a different kind of sweetness.
• Maple syrup: A small amount of maple syrup creates a lovely sweet-and-salty combination without making the dish too sweet.
• Apricot jam: For a unique twist, spread some apricot jam on your ham steak.

Creative Combinations

For something a little different, try these creative combinations:

• Spicy glaze: Kick things up a notch with a mixture of hot sauce and maple syrup.
• Mustard-glazed: Add a tangy kick to your brown sugar and cinnamon glaze with a touch of Dijon mustard.
• Pineapple-topped: Give your ham steak a tropical twist by cooking it with pineapple slices or rings.
• Fried eggs: Ham and eggs are a classic combination, so why not serve your ham steak with fried, scrambled, or poached eggs?
• Salads: Ham steak goes well with a fresh green salad or a tomato, arugula, or cucumber salad.

Frequently asked questions