This ham steak recipe is the kind of dish that can go from “what’s for dinner?” to “wow, that was amazing” in under 20 minutes. The ham is seared until it has that golden crust, then bathed in a glaze that’s the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and just a little warm spice.
The first time I made this, it wasn’t even for a holiday — it was a Tuesday night when I was short on time but still wanted something special. By the time the ham hit the table, my family had already wandered into the kitchen from the smell alone. That glaze — a mix of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and pepper — clings to the ham in the most irresistible way.
Ingredients I Love Using
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Ham Steaks – Thick-cut, juicy, and perfect for quick cooking. Most store-bought ham steaks are already cooked, so you’re really just heating and glazing.
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Butter – Brings richness and helps get that caramelized edge.
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Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds a tangy brightness to balance the sweetness.
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Brown Sugar – Sweet and slightly molasses-y, it gives the glaze that sticky shine.
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Garlic Powder – Keeps the flavor even and smooth without risking burnt garlic.
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Ground Ginger – Adds warmth and depth to the glaze.
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Black Pepper – Freshly cracked for a little bite.
Easy Swaps: Maple syrup or honey instead of brown sugar, balsamic vinegar for a deeper sweetness, or fresh garlic in place of garlic powder if you want a sharper kick.
How I Make It
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Heat the Skillet – I start with a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and melt butter until it coats the pan.
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Sear the Ham – Place the steaks in the pan and cook until golden on one side, then flip and do the same on the other. Since ham steaks are already cooked, this is all about getting color and flavor.
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Make the Glaze – In a small bowl, I whisk together vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, ginger, and pepper.
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Glaze It Up – Remove the ham from the pan, add a little more butter, pour in the glaze, and let it bubble until it thickens slightly.
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Finish Cooking – Return the ham to the pan, turning it every so often so it gets fully coated and the glaze sticks.
My Cooking Tips
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Keep the Heat in Check – The sugar in the glaze can burn if the heat is too high, so I turn it down once the glaze goes in.
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Don’t Overcook – Since ham steaks are usually pre-cooked, you just need to warm them through. Overcooking can make them tough.
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Fresh Pepper Wins – Grinding black pepper right before using makes the flavor pop.
Serving Ideas
This ham steak pairs beautifully with all kinds of sides: buttery mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, honey-glazed carrots, or a simple salad. For a cozy brunch, I’ll serve it with biscuits, scrambled eggs, and a little white gravy. Leftovers? Slice them into strips and toss into omelets, pasta, or fried rice.
Storage and Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat without drying them out, I warm them gently in a skillet with a splash of water or extra glaze. You can also freeze ham steak for up to 2 months — just wrap it tightly before freezing.
Brown Sugar Ham Steak
This ham steak recipe is a weeknight hero—tender, juicy ham seared to perfection and coated in a buttery brown sugar glaze with a hint of spice.
Ingredients
- 4 ham steaks (about 4 ounces each)
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter, then add the ham steaks in a single layer. Sear for 2–3 minutes per side, lowering the heat to medium after flipping to prevent burning while still achieving a nice golden crust. Transfer the ham steaks to a plate.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Stir in apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, ginger, and black pepper. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble, about 1–2 minutes.
- Return the ham steaks to the skillet, coating them generously in the glaze. Cook for about 10 minutes, flipping every couple of minutes so both sides soak up the sweet-savory goodness.
- Serve immediately, spooning any extra glaze from the pan over the top for maximum flavor.
Notes
- This recipe also works beautifully with thick-cut ham slices. For a festive twist, swap the apple cider vinegar for pineapple juice and add a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 110Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 28mgSodium 408mgCarbohydrates 6gFiber 0gSugar 5gProtein 6g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thought
This glazed ham steak is proof that a quick meal can still feel special. Whether you serve it as part of a holiday spread or throw it together on a weeknight, it’s a dish that delivers every time — salty, sweet, tangy, and satisfying. The best part? You can have it on the table before anyone has a chance to ask, “When’s dinner ready?”
