How to Cook Ham Steak in the Oven

Name: Baked Ham Steaks
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 1 pound ham steaks (fully cooked (Note 1)); 2 tablespoons butter (salted); 3 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 tablespoons dijon mustard; ¼ cup pure maple syrup ((Note 2)); ½ teaspoon worcestershire sauce

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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!

three pieces of ham steaks and a side of broccoli on a plate.

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!

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Featured Ingredients
Step-By-Step Instructions
Tips and Tricks
Ingredient Swaps
Variations
Alternative Cooking Methods
Storing and Reheating
FAQs
Meal Planning
Additional Pork Recipes
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Recipe

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.

small bowl with glaze ingredients with a whisk.

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.

unbaked ham steaks on a baking sheet with a small bowl of glaze with a brush.

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.

Tips and Tricks

Need a ham dinner for 2-4 people? Make these glazed ham steaks with roasted tiny potatoes and freezer sweet corn!

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

Does a ham steak need to be cooked?

If the ham steak has been smoked and is labeled as fully cooked, it is safe to eat cold. However, if it is a fresh ham steak that has not been smoked, it must be cooked until an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

What is the best way to heat up a ham steak?

There are multiple ways to heat up a fully cooked ham steak. Depending on the weather, grilling a ham steak outside on a grill or Blackstone griddle may be perfect. If it is snowing outside or you do not have access to a grill, a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop or a sheet pan in the oven will work too! Cooking ham steak is flexible and has many options.

Meal Planning

pieces of ham steaks, roasted tiny potatoes and sweet corn on a plate.

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.

Additional Pork Recipes

Explore more pork recipes. Below are a few of our favorites!

Ham Balls - another option that uses cooked ham to create meatballs.
Pork Tenderloin - a great option for holiday meals, that is quick and easy.
Baked Pork Chops - a potato and pork chop casserole made from scratch.

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Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating + comment. It helps so much, and we love hearing from everyone! Thank You -Venessa

Recipe

three pieces of ham steak alongside a side of broccoli on a plate.

Baked Ham Steaks

4.84 from 12 votes

Top the ham steaks with an easy brown sugar glaze made from simple ingredients and let the oven do all the work.

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 45

Total Time: 50

Servings: Servings

Author: Venessa Mandelkow

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Ingredients

2 1 pound ham steaks fully cooked (Note 1)

Glaze Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter salted
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
¼ cup pure maple syrup (Note 2)
½ teaspoon worcestershire sauce

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Using tinfoil, completely cover a baking sheet. This makes for easy clean up.
Place the ham steaks on the baking sheet. Set aside.
Melt the butter, either in the microwave in a small bowl or on the stovetop in a small saucepan.
To the melted butter, add brown sugar, dijon mustard, maple syrup, and worcestershire sauce. Whisk glaze until combined.
Brush the glaze equally on the ham steaks.
Place in a 350 degree F preheated oven for 45 minutes or until heated through with an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Remove the ham steaks from the oven. Cut them with a sharp knife on the cutting board. Serve immediately.

Notes

Note 1: Purchase ham steaks in the meat department. Find fully cooked, smoked ham steaks, bone-in or boneless.

Note 2: Use only 100% pure maple syrup for the best flavor. Imitation maple syrup will not provide the best results.

Storage Notes: Keep leftover ham steaks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Leftover ham steaks will also freeze well. Place in a freezer-friendly container and use within four months.