Grilled Ham Steak

I don’t know about you, but I love to grill. It’s an easy way to whip up dinner without heating the house (or making a mess in the kitchen). You may immediately think of a steak, pork chop or chicken breast at the mention of “grilled meat,” but the grilled ham steak is one of my sleeper favorites.

Grilled ham steaks boast a smoky flavor with gorgeous grill marks that give the steaks an elevated appearance. An easy glaze adds a tangy sweetness and a glossy sheen, just like the glazed ham steak you’d make in a cast-iron skillet.

Learning how to grill ham steak is easy. The secret to success lies in the grill’s temperature. When meat overcooks, it becomes tough and chewy. Ham steak is no exception. Medium heat (325° to 375°F) is gentle enough to warm the ham steaks through yet hot enough to create a light sear. If your grill lid doesn’t have a built-in thermometer, use the hand test: Hover your hand about 5 inches above the grill grate, palm side down. At medium heat, you should be able to hold your hand there for five to seven seconds.

If you’re new to grilling, take a peek at our hottest grilling tips and tricks in our guide for how to use a gas grill.

What is ham steak?

Ham steak is a cut of meat sliced from the ham, or the pig’s hind leg. These steaks can be bone-in or boneless, and they range from 1/2 to 2 inches thick. Some butchers sell fresh ham steak, but most ham steaks are cut from fully cooked hams known as city hams. These hams are cured with brine, so you don’t need to add much (or any) salt.

A 1-inch-thick ham steak should weigh around 2 pounds. That’s the perfect size for a weeknight dinner when you’re in the mood for ham but you don’t want to cook a whole roast.

Ingredients for Grilled Ham Steak

• Fully cooked bone-in ham steak: We recommend using a bone-in ham steak that’s about 1 inch thick. You can substitute boneless ham in a pinch, but the bone does serve a purpose: It keeps the meat tender as it reheats. (Plus, you can use the leftover bone to make split pea soup.)
• Preserves: Apricot preserves are a classic choice for ham glaze. Plum preserves work in this recipe, too.
• Prepared mustard: Mustard balances out the sweetness of the preserves. The best mustard for ham glaze depends on how much spice you’d like to add. Choose yellow mustard for a mild tang, or choose robust Dijon or spicy brown mustard for a spicy edge.
• Lemon juice: A little lemon juice adds a pop of bright acidity to the ham glaze.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the ham glaze

In a small saucepan, combine the preserves, mustard, lemon juice and cinnamon. Cook and stir over low heat for two to three minutes. Set the glaze aside.

Step 2: Grill the ham steak

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Prepare a gas or charcoal grill for medium heat.

Score the edges of the ham steak. Grill, uncovered, until a thermometer reads 140°, five to seven minutes on each side, brushing the ham with the glaze during the final few minutes of cook time.

Editor’s Tip: Ham steak is fully cooked when you purchase it, so you only need to warm it through. Make sure to flip the steak halfway through so it heats evenly.

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Recipe Variations

• Make a honey-mustard glaze: Our Test Kitchen recommends this honey-mustard glaze: Stir together 3 tablespoons spicy brown mustard, 2 tablespoons honey and 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest. Brush the glaze onto the ham as directed above. For additional glaze options, look to your favorite ham recipes.
• Add pineapple: Ham and pineapple are a great match! Top the ham steaks with grilled pineapple slices or pineapple salsa. You can also use crushed pineapple to make pineapple-glazed ham.
• Use the oven: If the weather doesn’t cooperate, cook the ham steaks in the oven under the broiler. Position the steaks about 4 inches from the heat, and flip halfway through the cook time for even heating.

How to Store Grilled Ham Steak

Store leftover grilled ham steak in an airtight container in the fridge for three to four days. Any extra ham steak will taste great in leftover ham recipes like split pea soup or breakfast casseroles. For longer storage, freeze ham in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Grilled Ham Steak Tips

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What should you serve with grilled ham steaks?

Grilled ham steak is a versatile meat. It pairs well with everything from green beans to mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. If you want to make good use of the extra grill space, whip up grilled green beans or your favorite grilled potatoes recipe.

Can you cook ham steak on a griddle?

Ham steak tastes great on an outdoor griddle like the Blackstone. You can also cook it in an electric griddle or stovetop pan like a cast-iron skillet or grill pan.