Ham Steak makes a delicious dinner for two or more. Add the optional brown sugar-mustard glaze for the exceptional taste of grilled ham steak.
It only takes five minutes to get this ham steak recipe ready, and ten minutes to cook on a grill, stove, or broiler.
A ham steak that has already been cooked and is ¾ to 1 inch thick. Butter or oil. An optional brown sugar-mustard glaze made of brown sugar, mustard, butter, and apple cider vinegar. Optional additions: ground cloves (suggested) and ground cinnamon. Honey may be substituted for brown sugar.
Ham steak is perfect for a smaller meal—think of it as a thick slice of ham. It is the right size, can be scaled up or down, and is easy to prepare. Leftovers are versatile and easy to store. It is economical and readily available in most grocery store deli or meat departments.
For the holidays, I’ve always loved honey-baked ham, but I never liked that tasty stuff on top of the fat. My solution is to brush it on the meat and cook it.
Smoked ham steak is a quick and easy way to add incredible flavor to a meal. With just a few simple steps, you can make juicy, smoky ham steaks right in your backyard smoker.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about prepping, seasoning smoking, and serving ham steaks that your family and friends will rave about. Let’s get started!
Selecting the Best Ham for Smoking
Choosing the right cut of ham is key for the perfect smoked ham steak Look for a boneless half ham steak that is about 1 inch thick. This size will smoke evenly without drying out. Ham steaks are sold fully cooked so they just need to be warmed and smoked.
Opt for uncured ham to avoid very salty flavor. If choosing cured, look for lower sodium options. Bone-in steaks add flavor but take longer to cook. Avoid presliced packet steaks which are often thin and dry out quickly.
For best results, choose thicker steak pieces you slice yourself. This allows more time in the smoker for full flavor without overcooking the ham.
Preparing Ham Steaks for the Smoker
Proper prep before smoking helps the ham steak absorb flavors and ensures it cooks evenly.
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Rinse the ham steak under cold water and pat dry completely.
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Trim off any excess fat or skin. Score remaining fat in crosshatch pattern.
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Brush both sides with olive oil or mustard to help seasoning adhere.
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Coat ham steak generously with your favorite rub or seasoning blend.
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For extra moisture and flavor, marinate 4-12 hours in apple juice, cola, or wine.
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Chill ham steak 30-60 minutes to allow seasonings and marinade to penetrate meat.
Setting Up Your Smoker
Arrange your smoker for indirect cooking by placing ham steak away from direct heat source.
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Set smoker to maintain 225-250°F using your choice of wood like hickory, apple, or cherry.
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Avoid excessive smoke which can create bitter flavor. Use wood chips or 2-3 chunks.
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Fill water pan 3⁄4 with water, juice, or beer to provide humidity.
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Oil grates to prevent sticking.
Once smoker reaches target temp, add prepared ham steak directly onto grates, avoiding overcrowding.
Step-by-Step Smoking Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfectly smoked ham steak:
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Place ham steak directly on oiled grates of 225-250°F preheated smoker.
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Smoke for approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
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Brush with glaze of your choice during last 30 minutes of smoking time.
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Ham steak is done when internal temp reaches 140°F.
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Remove from smoker and let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Monitor temperature closely and make any needed adjustments to maintain 225-250°F. The ham steak is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F. Resist cutting into it before allowing it to rest!
Glazing Your Smoked Ham Steak
For incredible flavor, brush ham steak with your favorite glaze during the last 30 minutes of smoking time.
Easy glaze ideas:
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Maple syrup, brown sugar, bourbon
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Orange marmalade, spicy mustard
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Pineapple preserves, soy sauce, ginger
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Honey, molasses, chili powder
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Sweet chili sauce, raspberry jam
Get creative and make your own signature ham glaze! Brush on lightly and let caramelize for a sweet, sticky finish.
Serving Your Perfect Smoked Ham Steak
Slice smoked ham steak across the grain into thin pieces. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Great sides for smoked ham steak include:
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Smoky baked beans
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Skillet cornbread
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Coleslaw or potato salad
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Roasted vegetables
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Macaroni and cheese
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Southern-style greens
Leftovers will keep refrigerated for 3-5 days. Enjoy smoked ham steak in scrambled eggs, sandwiches, pasta, soup and more!
Smoking Ham Steak on a Pellet Grill
Pellet grills like the Traeger are fantastic for smoking ham steak. Follow these tips:
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Set grill to Smoke setting and preheat to 225°F.
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Add ham steak directly to grill grates.
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Smoke for around 1 hour until 140°F internal temp.
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Switch to High setting if browning or caramelizing glaze.
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Use oak, cherry, or maple pellets for best flavor.
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Grill thick steaks longer around 1.5 hours.
Pellet grills make smoking incredibly easy thanks to precise temperature controls. Delicious smoked ham steak awaits!
Troubleshooting Smoked Ham Steaks
Problem: Ham steak is dry or tough after smoking.
Solution: Don’t overcook, slice across grain, and use lower heat around 180-200°F.
Problem: Bitter, sooty taste.
Solution: Avoid too much heavy smoke. Use less wood.
Problem: Bark is too charred or burnt tasting.
Solution: Cook further from coals or heat source at lower temperature around 200°F.
Problem: Ham steak has bland flavor.
Solution: Use more robust dry rub or marinade and wrap earlier to steam.
Mastering Delicious Smoked Ham Steak
With the right cut of ham and proper smoking method, you can make insanely delicious smoked ham steak easily at home. Brush with sweet glaze and serve for an irresistible meal.
Experiment with different woods, seasonings, and glazes to find your favorite. Smoked ham steak also shines in scrambled eggs, sandwiches, salads and more. Enjoy this quick smoking treat!
How to Cook Ham Steak
- ▢ 1 pound ham steak – ¾ to 1-inch thick
- ▢ vegetable oil or butter
- ▢ 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ▢ 1 tablespoon butter
- ▢ ½ teaspoon dry ground mustard
- ▢ ½ teaspoon cider vinegar
- ▢ ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves and cinnamon – optional
- For Grill: Heat the grill until the surface is 400° to 450° and the heat is set to medium. Clean and oil grates very well. On the stove, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. For the broiler, use a broiling pan that has been greased or one that has been lined with foil and has a rack in it.
- Rinse the ham under running water. Dry with a paper towel and cut off any fat that can be cut off. Cut the steak into serving-size pieces for easier handling.
- For the glaze, you can mix brown sugar, butter, dry ground mustard, cider vinegar, and ground cinnamon or cloves if you want to. Microwave and stirring every 10 seconds until liquid.
- If you want, you can brush the ham with the glaze or vegetable oil.
- Either cook on a 400° grill or in a large skillet over medium-low heat with butter. It takes about 4 to 5 minutes per side to get a good color and heat all the way through. If the ham steak isn’t marked as fully cooked, make sure to cook it to 145°.
How to Cook Ham Steak
For Grill—reheat the grill to medium with a surface temperature of 400° to 450°. Clean and oil grates very well. For the stovetop—use a large skillet with butter over medium heat. For the broiler—use an oiled broiling pan or a pan lined with foil with a rack.
Rinse the ham under running water. Pat dry with a paper towel and trim any trimmable fat. Cut the steak into serving-size pieces for easier handling.
Optional glaze —Mix brown sugar, butter, dry ground mustard, cider vinegar, and optionally add ground cinnamon or cloves. Microwave and stirring every 10 seconds until liquid.
Brush the ham with the optional the glaze or vegetable oil.
Cook on a 400° grill, large skillet with butter over medium heat or under a broiler. You are cooking to a good color and heated through—about 4-5 minutes per side. Be sure to cook to 145° if the ham steak is not labeled as fully precooked.
Serve in a sandwich, on a salad, or on a plate with side dishes for a great meal.
Smoked Ham Steak with a Brown Sugar Whiskey Glaze on the REC TEC 700
FAQ
Is smoked ham steaks already cooked?
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How to cook a ham slice on a pellet grill?