Mastering Delicious Ham Steak Without Brown Sugar

Ham steak is a quick and easy dinner staple that typically gets topped with a sweet, brown sugar glaze. But what if you don’t have any brown sugar on hand or want to avoid the added sugar? No worries! With a few simple ingredient swaps, you can make insanely tasty ham steak without brown sugar.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover how to choose the best ham steak, prep and cook it properly, and creative ways to glaze and flavor it without using brown sugar You’ll learn foolproof techniques to make this satisfying center-of-the-plate protein shine, even without its trademark sweetness Let’s get cooking!

Selecting Quality Bone-In or Boneless Ham Steak

The first step is choosing great ham steak at the store Here’s what to look for

• Weight – Pick a steak that’s big enough to feed your crowd About 1/2 pound of meat per person is a good estimate,

• Bone-in vs Boneless – Bone-in ham steak has more flavor but boneless is easier to portion. Choose based on your preference.

• Precooked vs Fresh – Fully cooked, pre-seasoned ham just needs to be warmed. Uncooked ham must reach 145°F internally before eating.

• Color – Opt for ham steak that is pinkish-red with nice marbling, which indicates flavor and juiciness.

• Expiration Date – Always check the use-by date and select the package with the latest date for freshness.

Prepping Ham Steak for Maximum Flavor

Proper prep is key to making ham steak as delicious as possible:

• Pat dry – Blot ham steak with paper towels to remove excess moisture that can inhibit browning.

• Trim edges – For bone-in steaks, trim off any hard, dried out sections around the bone.

• Score fat – Use a sharp knife to cut slashes in any outer fat cap. This allows seasoning and glazes to penetrate better.

• Season generously – Rub both sides with spices like garlic powder, paprika, pepper and sage.

• Chill if fresh – For uncooked ham steak, refrigerate 30-60 minutes before cooking so seasoning can soak in.

Quick Stovetop Cooking Method

Pan-searing is the fastest and easiest way to cook great ham steak:

• Use bacon grease – Render fresh bacon to cook ham steak in for extra porky flavor. Vegetable oil also works.

• Get pan very hot – Use medium-high to high heat to ensure the ham browns nicely and doesn’t stew.

• Brown both sides – Cook 3-5 minutes per side until deeply browned. Turn carefully to avoid tearing.

• Check temperature – Cook precooked ham steak to 140°F or fresh to 145°F internally before removing from pan.

• Let rest 5 minutes – Allowing it to rest makes the meat juicier and easier to slice.

Ideas for Flavorful, Sweet Glazes Without Brown Sugar

You can make amazingly delicious ham steak glazes without using brown sugar. Try these easy substitutions:

• Maple syrup – Brush on pure maple syrup during last few minutes of cooking for caramelized sweetness.

• Honey – Drizzle with clover honey and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a kicked-up glaze.

• Fruit preserves – Coat ham steak with thick, fruity jams like pineapple, cherry or orange marmalade.

• Dijon and molasses – Mix equal parts Dijon mustard and molasses for a tangy, bittersweet glaze.

• Coke or Dr. Pepper – Boil can of soda until thick and syrupy, then brush over ham for sweetness.

• Bourbon and mustard – Whisk together bourbon, grainy mustard and a pinch of red pepper flakes.

• Teriyaki sauce – Brush on store-bought or homemade teriyaki sauce during last few minutes of cooking.

Serving Suggestions for Ham Steak

Ham steak is extremely versatile. Here are some tasty ways to serve it:

• Breakfast – Pair with eggs, hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy for a stick-to-your-ribs breakfast.

• Lunch – Pile slices on bread for hearty ham and cheese sandwiches.

• Dinner -Serve with cheesy scalloped potatoes, green beans and cornbread.

• Appetizers – Dice into cubes to make ham salad for crackers or ham and cheese poppers.

• Salads – Toss diced ham steak into spinach salads, grain bowls or wedges of iceberg.

• Soups – Add ham chunks or strips to bean soup, potato soup, split pea soup and more.

With these handy tips and techniques, you can easily make insanely delicious ham steak without using any brown sugar at all. A quick sear in the pan and a flavorful glaze made with simple kitchen staples is all you need to make this humble meat shine.