This glazed ham steak recipe is a delicious and easy meal, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy family gathering, with a touch of that Pioneer Woman charm. It brings together simple pantry staples to create a flavorful dish that’s ready in just about 15 minutes. If you’re looking for a comforting and quick recipe that the whole family will love, this ham steak with a sweet and tangy glaze is a winner.
Quick and Flavorful Ham Steak Recipe
This recipe transforms humble ham steaks into something truly special. Imagine tender ham steaks, seared to a beautiful golden brown and enveloped in a luscious glaze. The glaze, a homemade concoction of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper, offers the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, enhancing the natural saltiness of the ham. Once you taste this homemade glaze, you’ll understand why it’s a game changer – store-bought glazes simply can’t compare!
This is not just a great way to use leftover holiday ham; it’s a recipe worth making from scratch any time. The simplicity and incredible taste of these glazed ham steaks make them an instant family favorite. Prepare for requests for seconds!
For a complete Pioneer Woman-style meal, serve these glazed ham steaks with classic comfort sides. Think creamy mashed potatoes, buttery corn on the cob, or a simple green salad. They’re also fantastic with a microwave baked potato or air fryer sweet potato cubes for a quicker option. Leftovers? Don’t worry, they’re just as delicious the next day, perhaps with eggs and biscuits for a hearty breakfast, just like Ree Drummond might serve on the ranch.
A close up image of a ham dinner showing the glaze texture on the ham.
Close-up of glazed ham steak showcasing the delicious texture and glistening glaze.
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Style Ham Steak
Ham Steaks: The star of the show! They are quick-cooking and full of flavor, making them ideal for busy weeknights, just like many Pioneer Woman recipes focus on ease and speed.
Butter: Everything is better with butter, right? It adds richness and a creamy base for searing the ham, contributing to that comforting, home-cooked feel.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This is the secret to the glaze’s tanginess, cutting through the sweetness and adding a bright, vibrant note that balances the savory ham.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar provides the sweetness and a hint of molasses, creating a beautiful caramelization on the ham steaks and that signature glaze stickiness.
Garlic Powder: Garlic powder delivers a consistent garlic flavor throughout the glaze. It’s a pantry staple and easy to use, perfect for keeping things simple and efficient.
Ground Ginger: Ground ginger adds warmth and a subtle spice to the glaze, creating depth of flavor and complexity that elevates the dish beyond just sweetness.
Black Pepper: A touch of black pepper provides a bit of heat and sharpness, enhancing all the other flavors and preventing the glaze from being overly sweet.
Ingredient Swaps: Feel free to adapt based on what you have on hand. Honey or maple syrup can replace brown sugar for a slightly different sweetness profile. Fresh ginger or a pinch of cinnamon can stand in for ground ginger. A dash of mustard can also boost the glaze’s tanginess, offering a Pioneer Woman-esque twist with accessible pantry ingredients.
The labeled ingredients for ham steak recipe.
Cooking Ham Steak: Pioneer Woman’s Easy Method
Melt the Butter: Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat – cast iron would be very Pioneer Woman! Melt butter in the hot skillet, swirling to coat the bottom. (Full printable recipe card is below.)
Sear the Ham Steaks: Place ham steaks in the hot skillet and sear until nicely browned on each side. Searing creates a flavorful crust and helps the glaze adhere beautifully.
Melting butter in a hot skillet, and then once melted adding and searing both sides of the ham steaks until cooked.
Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, ginger, and pepper. This simple glaze packs a powerful flavor punch.
Adding apple cider vinegar, ginger, garlic, and pepper in a small mixing bowl and whisking until combined.
Glaze the Ham Steaks: Remove the seared ham steaks from the skillet. Add the remaining butter to the skillet along with the glaze mixture. Heat and stir until the glaze is bubbly and slightly thickened.
Removing the ham steaks from the skillet once both sides are cooked and then adding in the remaining butter and mixed glaze ingredients.
Cook in Glaze: Return the ham steaks to the skillet and coat them generously with the glaze. Cook, flipping occasionally, until the glaze becomes sticky and coats the ham beautifully.
Adding the seared ham steaks back to the hot skillet with the glaze and then cooking until glaze has been cooked.
Serve: Once the ham steaks are heated through and gloriously glazed, remove from the skillet and serve immediately. (Find detailed instructions, ingredient measurements, and more tips in the recipe card below.)
Pioneer Woman Pro Tips for Perfect Ham Steak
- Low and Slow (ish): Reduce the heat after searing to prevent the glaze from burning and ensure the ham heats through gently.
- Don’t Overcook: Ham steaks are typically pre-cooked, so you’re just warming them and adding flavor. Overcooking can make them dry and tough.
What to Serve with Ham Steak: Pioneer Woman Style Sides
Ham steak is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. For a true Pioneer Woman meal, consider:
- Classic Comfort: Creamy mashed potatoes, cheesy scalloped potatoes, or potato salad.
- Veggies with a Touch of Sweetness: Honey-glazed carrots, roasted sweet potatoes, or corn on the cob.
- Fresh and Bright: A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, or coleslaw.
- Grains and Bread: Fluffy dinner rolls, cornbread, or rice pilaf.
A couple of large dinner plates with ham steak, steamed broccoli, and a baked potato on top of a napkin.
Ham Steak FAQs: Your Pioneer Woman Guide to Ham Steak Success
Is Ham Steak Already Cooked? Most ham steaks are pre-cooked, making them convenient for quick meals. However, always check the packaging to be sure.
Why Is My Ham Steak Tough? Overcooking is the main culprit. Gentle heating is key to keeping ham steak tender.
Does Ham Steak Taste Like Ham? Yes, it’s a slice of ham! It offers the same savory, delicious ham flavor.
Can Ham Steaks Be Eaten Cold? Yes, cooked ham steak is safe to eat cold, but warming enhances the flavor significantly.
Can Ham Steak Be a Little Pink? Yes, a slight pinkness is normal due to the curing process and doesn’t indicate undercooking.
How Do You Know When Ham Steak Is Done? It’s done when heated through and nicely browned. Aim for an internal temperature of 145F if you want to be precise.
How to Heat Ham Steak Without Drying It Out? Use medium heat, enough butter or glaze, and avoid overcooking. Searing followed by gentle warming in the glaze is ideal.
Make Ahead? Best enjoyed fresh, but the glaze can be prepped ahead.
Freeze Cooked Ham Steak? Yes, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Different Vinegars in Glaze? Experiment with balsamic or red wine vinegar for unique flavor twists.
Fresh Garlic Instead of Powder? Yes, mince fresh garlic finely and add to the glaze, but watch for burning.
Storing Leftovers? Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
A side image of a ham steak dinner on top of a blue plate showing the visible pepper flakes on top.
A close up image of multiple glazed ham steaks in a hot skillet.
An overhead image of a ham steak dinner scene with a freshly baked potato and butter on top.
A Pinterest pin image with a picture of a ham steak recipe with title text at the top.
Pinterest image for ham steak recipe, perfect for saving and sharing.
Dinner Recipes
If you enjoyed this ham steak recipe, be sure to explore our other dinner recipes for more easy and delicious meal ideas!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter (divided)
- 4 (4 ounce) ham steaks
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 Tablespoon of butter to the skillet and allow it to melt. Once melted, add the ham steaks to the pan and sear (2-3 minutes). Flip the ham steaks, turn the heat down to medium, and sear (another 2-3 minutes). Turning down the heat allows the pan to cool down enough for the glaze, but it will still be hot enough to give the ham steaks a nice sear on the second side. Once browned, transfer the ham steaks from the pan to a clean plate.
- To the skillet, add the remaining Tablespoon of butter, the apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, ginger, and pepper. Whisk together to combine. Heat the glaze for 1-2 minutes, or until everything has dissolved and the glaze is bubbling.
- Add the ham steaks back to the skillet. Move them around to coat them in the glaze, then flip and coat the second side. Cook the ham steaks in the glaze for a total of 10 minutes, flipping them every 2 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the ham steaks from the pan and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1/4 Amount Per Serving: Calories: 274Total Fat: 16gCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0.1gSugar: 4.4gProtein: 25.8g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
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This ham steak recipe is a quick, easy, and flavorful dinner, perfect for any night of the week. Enjoy!
