Thick, juicy ham steaks with deeply caramelized edges and a glossy sweet-savory brown sugar glaze — this is comfort food at its finest. A quick sear in a hot skillet plus a buttery brown sugar glaze delivers holiday flavor on a weeknight, in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 ham steaks, about 8 oz each and 1/2-inch thick
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp pineapple juice (optional, for extra sweetness)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Pinch of ground cloves (optional)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, Dijon, apple cider vinegar, pineapple juice (if using), garlic powder, paprika, pepper, and cloves.
- Sear the ham: Melt 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the ham steaks 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
- Add the glaze: Pour the glaze over the steaks and add the remaining butter to the skillet.
- Caramelize: Cook 3–4 minutes, spooning the glaze over the steaks, until thick, glossy, and caramelized at the edges.
- Rest: Transfer to a platter and rest for 2 minutes so the glaze sets.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
- Serve: Serve hot with extra pan glaze spooned over the top.
Pro tip: Don’t walk away during the final caramelize — brown sugar goes from perfect to burnt fast, so keep the heat at medium and keep spooning.
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Estimated nutrition per serving: 390 calories, 32g protein per serving.
