Ham steak is an easy and delicious cut of meat that offers a lot of versatility. While ham steak can be enjoyed simply pan-fried or browned in the oven seasoned properly it can become an absolutely mouthwatering main dish or addition to various recipes. If you’re looking to spice up your ham steak game, here are 13 tasty seasoning and glaze ideas to make this meat shine.
Classic Brown Sugar Glaze
This brown sugar glazed ham steak recipe combines butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon to make a sweet, rich glaze that complements the salty ham beautifully. Brush the glaze over the ham steaks during the last few minutes of cooking for irresistible flavor and texture. The brown sugar caramelizes and the cinnamon adds warmth.
Maple Syrup and Mustard
For a tangy sweet glaze, combine maple syrup Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Brush the mixture over ham steaks while pan-frying or baking. The maple syrup provides sweetness while the mustard gives it a zesty kick. The garlic powder boosts the overall flavor.
Pepper Jelly Glaze
If you like a little heat, make a glaze with pepper jelly, chili sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. Pepper jelly can range from mild to hot, so adjust the glaze to your preferred spice level. This packs sweet, spicy and savory flavors into one dynamite ham steak topping.
Apple Cider Glaze
Apple cider mixed with brown sugar makes a pleasantly sweet and subtly tart glaze for ham steaks. Sometimes I’ll add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to give it extra fall flavor. The apple cider’s acidity balances the rich saltiness of ham.
Orange Marmalade and Soy Sauce
For a slightly Asian twist, brush ham steaks with a quick glaze made from orange marmalade, soy sauce, freshly grated ginger and garlic. The sweet citrus flavor combines with the salty, umami soy sauce and zesty ginger and garlic to create magic on your ham.
Herb Crusted Ham
Skip the sweet glazes and go for an herbal, savory crust on your ham steaks. Combine dried herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage with Dijon mustard, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Spread the mixture over ham steaks and bake until the crust is browned and crisp.
Spicy Dry Rub
For more texture and flavor, coat ham steaks with a spicy dry rub instead of a glaze. Mix brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper to make your own custom blend. The rub adds fantastic flavor and crunch to pan-fried or baked ham.
Balsamic and Rosemary
Minimize ingredients and let the flavors of balsamic vinegar and fresh rosemary shine through. Simply brush good quality balsamic vinegar over ham steaks along with some finely chopped fresh rosemary. The tangy sweetness of the balsamic and the woodsy rosemary are perfect ham steak complements.
Teriyaki Ham Steaks
Make an easy teriyaki style ham steak by mixing soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger and sesame oil. Pour the sauce over ham steaks the last 5-10 minutes of cooking until it bubbles and caramelizes slightly. It adds tons of flavor and needs only a few basic pantry ingredients.
Barbecue Ham Steaks
Barbecue sauce makes a quick and tasty ham steak glaze as well. Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce caramelizes beautifully on pan-fried or baked ham. For extra flavor, mix in a teaspoon of chili powder, cumin or smoked paprika to give the sauce extra depth.
Hoisin Glazed Ham
For a sweet, salty and umami glaze, mix hoisin sauce, rice vinegar and Sriracha. The hoisin provides intense salty-sweet flavor, vinegar adds tang and Sriracha brings the heat. This Asian glaze takes ham steaks to the next level.
Ham Steaks with Peach Salsa
Instead of a glaze, go for a fresh fruit salsa topping on your ham steaks. Dice peaches, mango, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro and toss everything with lime juice. Spoon the vibrant salsa over hot cooked ham for a burst of sweet fruit, heat and acidity.
Pesto Ham Steaks
Dollop pesto over hot cooked ham steaks for an herby Italian twist. The basil, garlic, pine nuts and Parmesan in pesto pair perfectly with salty ham. For extra flavor, mix some sun-dried tomatoes into the pesto. It’s a fast and fresh take on ham.
With options like sweet glazes, zesty rubs, herb crusts and fruity salsas, the possibilities for seasoning ham steak are endless. I hope these suggestions inspire you to move beyond plain ham and take the flavors to new heights. Ham steak is so quick and easy to cook, that a flavorful seasoning blend or glaze really takes it to the next level. All it takes is a few extra minutes and ingredients to make this humble cut totally drool-worthy.
Ham Steak with Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe ~ Quick & So Easy!!
FAQ
What can I add to ham for flavor?
What goes well with ham steak?
Why is my ham steak dry?
What’s the difference between ham and ham steak?
How do you spice up a ham steak?
Here’s how: Spicy Glaze: Swap out the brown sugar and cinnamon glaze for a spicy version. Use a mixture of hot sauce and maple syrup for a kick. Mustard Glazed Ham Steak: Add a little Dijon mustard to the brown sugar and cinnamon mix. Pineapple-Topped: Give your ham steak a tropical twist by cooking it with pineapple slices or rings.
What is ham steak sauce made of?
The ham steak sauce is made of brown sugar, water, butter, Dijon mustard, and paprika. You might want to make extra if you serve the ham steak with mashed potatoes. You can drizzle the glaze over the side dish. Yum! Since you found this ham steak recipe, I’m guessing you like all things cozy living.
Can you use maple syrup on ham steak?
Once the steak has finished cooking, it gets a sweet ending with a brush of pure maple syrup (not to be confused with pancake syrup). If you want to skip the maple syrup, you could also make your Ham Steaks with a brown sugar glaze. If you’re going this route, have a ⅓ cup brown sugar plus 2 tablespoons of butter on hand.
What can I substitute for Dijon mustard on a ham steak?
You can substitute regular mustard for Dijon mustard. Maple syrup, honey, or pineapple juice can be used in place of brown sugar on this cooked ham steak. Serving size is four servings. 1) Macaroni and cheese.
