Can You Freeze Ham Steaks?

Are you looking for a quick and easy meal that won’t leave you with a lot of leftovers? This Ham Steak Recipe with Brown Sugar Ham Glaze is perfect for you.

The ham steak in this recipe cooks in just 10 minutes on the stove and is juicy, slightly sweet, and full of savory goodness. It also comes with a delicious glaze. It’s the perfect portion for one and can be dressed up or down for any occasion.

Smoked or cured ham steaks are an easy and tasty way to eat ham. Their smaller size makes them perfect for quick weeknight dinners or sandwiches. But ham steaks only stay fresh in the fridge for three to five days, like any other meat. To get more mileage out of your ham steaks, consider freezing them.

Yes, you can absolutely freeze ham steaks with great results. In fact, freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of ham steaks for weeks or months.

When frozen properly, ham steaks maintain their texture, moisture, and flavor. They can go straight from freezer to skillet with no need to thaw first. Freezing gives you the flexibility to buy ham steaks when they are on sale or available in bulk and save them for later.

How Long Does Frozen Ham Steak Last?

According to the USDA, a frozen fully cooked ham steak maintains best quality for 1-2 months in the freezer. However, frozen ham steaks remain safe to eat for even longer:

3-4 months in a regular freezer set at 0°F
6-12 months in a deep freezer set at -10°F or below

Of course the shorter amount of time it is frozen, the better the texture and moisture will be. For best flavor and quality, aim to use frozen ham steaks within 2-3 months.

How to Freeze Ham Steaks

Follow these simple steps for freezing ham steaks:

Wrap tightly. Wrap each ham steak individually in plastic wrap, wax paper, or freezer paper. Make sure to wrap tightly against the meat to prevent freezer burn.
Exclude air. Suck out as much air as possible or use a vacuum sealer if available. Air causes freezer burn.
Portion Freeze ham steaks in usable portions for your recipes Individual steaks or slices work well,
Use freezer bags Place wrapped ham steaks in freezer bags or airtight containers Freezer bags protect from unwanted freezer odors.
Label. Include the date and contents on each package. This lets you use the oldest ham first.
Freeze quickly. Get ham steaks into the freezer as soon as possible after packaging. Quick freezing maintains quality.
Use within 2-3 months. For best flavor and texture, use frozen ham steaks within 2-3 months.

Tips for Freezing Ham Steaks

Follow these tips for great results freezing ham steaks:

Chill ham steaks in the fridge before freezing. Cold ham freezes faster with smaller ice crystals.
Layer wax paper between steaks to make it easier to separate them.
Freeze ham steaks flat in a single layer to freeze quickly. Then stack.
Avoid storing ham steaks longer than 3-4 months for ideal texture.
When freezing many packages, place them around the freezer rather than stacking.
Leave a little extra space in packages for ham steaks to expand as they freeze.

Thawing Ham Steaks

Ham steaks can go straight from frozen to cooked with no need to thaw first. Just add a couple extra minutes to the cooking time.

If you want to thaw first, use one of these methods:

Refrigerator: Unwrap and place ham steaks on a tray or plate to catch drips. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Cold water: Seal ham steaks in a plastic bag and submerge in cold water. Change water every 30 minutes until thawed.
Microwave: Unwrap ham steaks and microwave on defrost, flipping halfway. Check often to prevent overcooking edges.

Avoid thawing ham steaks at room temperature. This allows bacteria to grow on the exterior before the interior thaws.

Cook thawed ham steaks immediately after thawing. Do not refreeze ham after it has been thawed.

How to Cook Frozen Ham Steaks

Cooking frozen ham steaks is easy in the oven, skillet, slow cooker, grill and more.

Oven: Bake frozen ham steaks at 350°F for about 20 minutes per side. Internal temp should reach 140°F.
Skillet: Fry over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes per side until browned and heated through.
Slow cooker: Add 1 cup liquid and cook on low 4-6 hours or high 2-4 hours.
Grill: Grill over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes per side. Watch for flare ups.

Always cook ham steaks to an internal temperature of 140°F as measured by a food thermometer. Reheating fully cooked ham to this temperature kills any bacteria for food safety.

Can You Refreeze Ham After Thawing?

Refreezing ham steaks after thawing is not recommended for food safety. Thawing allows bacteria on the surface to grow and multiply. Refreezing may allow this bacteria to survive.

For best quality and food safety, cook ham steaks immediately after thawing and do not refreeze. Use thawed ham within 3-5 days.

However, if ham steaks are still partially frozen or icy cold, they can safely be refrozen. Judge carefully if ham steaks are cold enough to refreeze right away.

Enjoy the Convenience of Frozen Ham Steaks

Freezing is an easy way to preserve ham steaks for future use. With proper freezing and thawing methods, frozen ham steaks retain their delicious smoky flavor and tender texture. Keep your freezer stocked so you can enjoy ham steaks anytime.

can you freeze ham steaks

What To Serve With Ham

When you eat your single-serving ham steak, there are many tasty sides that will make this main dish one you’ll remember. Here are some detailed recommendations:

Mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food side dish, and they go great with ham steak. No matter what, mashed potatoes are a must. Add a lot of butter and chives if you want to, or leave them plain.
Green Beans Almondine: Sautéing fresh green beans with almonds gives your meal a nutty crunch and bright color that makes it look good as well as taste good.
Potato Salad: A warm, sour German potato salad can be a nice change from a rich, meaty ham steak.
Cornbread: A piece of home-baked cornbread makes the meal more Southern. Add a little honey on top for an extra sweet boost.

Before you start cooking, read the whole recipe, including the section called “Ingredient Notes,” and look at the pictures that show the steps. This step-by-step guide will help you understand how to follow the recipe, so your ham steak will always be perfect. There is everything you need to know in the body of this recipe post, so don’t skip anything!
Bring the ham to room temperature: Set the ham steak out for about 15 minutes until it’s at room temperature. This ensures even cooking.
Warm up your pan. For a perfect sear on your ham steak, always start with a hot pan.
You don’t have to use the brown sugar glaze on the ham steak. You can cook it according to the recipe and eat it plain if you’d rather.
If you see a sale on ham steaks, buy a lot of them and freeze them. If you store them right, you can freeze them for up to three months.

You can substitute with honey, maple syrup, or regular granulated sugar.

Store this brown sugar glazed ham steak in the refrigerator, covered for 3-4 days.

Absolutely, just double the ingredient amounts.

Some readers have told me that their glaze hardens in the pan. It shouldn’t happen like this, and you can see from the video and pictures that the butter and brown sugar melt. This process can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the level of heat. If the glaze gets tough, it means the sauce was cooked for too long or the heat was too high.

How To Cook Ham Steak

Step-by-step pictures and written instructions will show you how to cook a ham steak and make the sweet glaze. Ingredient quantities and complete recipe instructions can be found in the recipe box below.

Melt the butter in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat.

can you freeze ham steaks

Sear the ham steak for about 4 minutes. After that, turn the steak over and cook for three more minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover.

can you freeze ham steaks

Melt butter in the same skillet. Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir the mixture often while cooking for 30 seconds to one minute, which is just long enough for the sugar to melt. Pour over ham steak and enjoy!.

can you freeze ham steaks

Ham Freezing and Storing

FAQ

How do you store ham steak in the freezer?

Ham can be stored in the freezer for up to six months. If you plan on eating it within two months, we recommend storing it in the fridge. If you are going to freeze your ham, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help lock in its natural juices and help to keep the ham from drying out.

How long are ham steaks good in the fridge?

In short? Once you open a package of ham, or if it comes open — like if it was sliced at the deli counter— you can safely eat your leftovers for up to five days.

Are ham steaks already cooked?

Ham Steak or Thick Cut Steak Cook’s Bone-In Ham Steaks are fully cooked and ready to eat, or you may heat them using the following directions.

How to thaw frozen ham steak?

There are three safe ways to thaw ham: in the refrigerator, in cold water (in an airtight or leak-proof bag), and in the microwave. It’s best to plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator. It will take about 4 to 6 hours per pound.

Can you freeze cooked ham?

Airtight in plastic is the best way to freeze cooked ham. When you’re ready, simply thaw it and use it in your favorite recipes. All cooked ham, hence the name, is cooked before you buy it and is sold either chilled or frozen. If you bring home a fresh whole ham and bake it, this counts as cooked, and you can freeze the remainder too.

Can you freeze cooked ham steak?

Yes, you can freeze cooked ham steak. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe bag. It should keep for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Can ham steak be refrigerated after opening?

Yes, ham steak can be stored in the fridge after it has been opened. It should be kept in an airtight container or wrapped tightly using plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It is also important to place it in the coldest part of the fridge.

Can You refreeze ham steak if thawed?

You can safely refreeze ham steak if it was thawed in the fridge. It’s not so safe when it has been thawed in the microwave, as bacteria might have already gotten to it. Nonetheless, it’s always better to plan ahead and thaw only the portions that are to be eaten that day or during the next 2 or 3 days.