How To Cook Ham Steak In The Oven

Learn how to cook ham steak in the oven for busy weeknights or fancy holiday meals. How? It is one of those easy dinners for a brown sugar glazed ham steak recipe that tastes delicious and simple.  The oven does all the work!

A ham steak is a slice of a whole ham. Baking an entire ham can take hours, while a fully cooked ham steak is done in 45 minutes. You can find ham steaks in the meat department of your local grocery store, or when butchering a pig, ask the butcher to slice a whole ham into ham steaks. 

For a delicious ham dinner, add an easy glaze to the top of the ham slice made from simple ingredients: Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and maple syrup. With minimal effort, you have found the best way to cook ham steaks in the oven!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Easier than baking a whole ham
• Perfect for ham dinner for a small family gathering
• Gluten Free and Low FODMAP

Featured Ingredients

• Ham Steaks - Use fully cooked, smoked either a bone-in ham steak or boneless. I recommend using a smoked ham steak versus a fresh ham steak. The hard work has already been done for you. 
• Butter - Salted butter is the best choice. 
• Brown Sugar - Adds a sweetness to compliment the smoky flavors. 
• Dijon Mustard - Adds a bit of spicy mustard flavor to the glaze.
• Maple Syrup - Find a maple syrup that is 100% maple versus the imitation kind filled with ingredients like high fructose corn syrup. 
• Worcestershire Sauce - Adds a salty, umami flavor to the glaze.

See the recipe card for the exact measurements and complete instructions. Selected ingredients are based on guidance on current serving sizes measured by the Monash University Food App and FODMAP Friendly App at the time of publishing. As always, follow your gut and modify as needed.

Step-By-Step Instructions

If needed, defrost the frozen ham steak. Take it out of the freezer the night before and have it defrost in the refrigerator. Or defrost it in a cool water bath until thawed. 

Cover a baking sheet with tinfoil for easy cleanup. Place the ham steaks on the baking sheet.

In a small bowl, melt butter in the microwave or in a small saucepan.

Add the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and worcestershire sauce. Whisk until combined. 

Brush the glaze equally over the ham steaks. Brush the edges, too. 

Bake the ham steaks in a 350 degree F oven for up to 45 minutes or until heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. 

A smoked ham steak is fully cooked, so the internal temperature is less critical than raw meat. Use this as a guide to make sure the ham steak is thoroughly warmed.

Ingredient Swaps

• Pork Options: If ham steaks aren’t an option, use pork tenderloin. I love this recipe for glazed pork tenderloin, which also has cooking instructions. It is another great option!

Variations

Dairy Free Baked Ham Steaks: Use a dairy free butter substitute instead of salted butter.

Alternative Cooking Methods

• Stovetop - Use a large skillet, add olive oil, and fry the ham steak. The ham steak will caramelize and have great coloring. Add the brown sugar glaze. 
• Grill - Cook the ham steaks over medium heat on the grill. Skip adding the glaze to the grill. Instead, cook the glaze in a saucepan on the side. Once they are cooked, pour the glaze over the grilled ham steaks. 
• Blackstone Griddle - For a hearty breakfast meat option, heat the griddle to medium heat and cook the ham steak until heated. Skip the glaze if you do not want a sweet ham, or heat in a small saucepan until thickened. Add griddle pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit for breakfast the whole family will love.

Storing and Reheating

Storage: Any leftover ham steaks should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should be used within 3-4 days or cubed and frozen for simple meals later. 

Reheat: Leftover ham steaks are great for a hearty lunchtime sandwich, like a club sandwich. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until warm. 

Freezer: Frozen glazed ham steak will last for up to four months.

FAQs

Meal Planning

Ham steaks are perfect for when you want a ham dinner, but not for twelve people. For a complete meal, add instant pot mashed potatoes and gluten free crock pot mac and cheese. Include a veggie side dish, like homemade green bean casserole or gluten free corn pudding. These are all delicious sides and go great with the smoky, salty ham. They are also perfect for holiday dinners. 

Leftover ham steaks are great for cheesy scalloped potatoes or wild rice and ham casserole. Another option is to serve ham steaks for breakfast with gluten free Swedish pancakes or gluten free French toast casserole.