Sweet Citrus Glazed Ham Steak

For those looking for an excellent main course that’s both economical and quick, especially for smaller holiday meals or family dinners, ham steaks are an ideal choice. These aren’t just any cuts of meat; they are thick slices expertly carved from a pre-cooked whole ham, meaning your primary task is simply to reheat them to perfection. This makes them a fantastic shortcut to a satisfying meal without compromising on taste or quality.

While ham steaks can certainly be pan-fried for a quick sear, baking them in the oven offers a distinct advantage: the ability to cook your favorite vegetables simultaneously. This sheet pan method transforms a simple ham steak into a holistic meal, allowing asparagus, diced potatoes, or any other preferred veggie to roast alongside, absorbing the delicious flavors of the ham and its accompanying glaze. It’s a true one-pan wonder, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor.

But the true secret to elevating a ham steak, regardless of the cooking method, lies in the glaze. This seemingly small step makes an enormous difference, infusing the ham with an incredible depth of flavor that is simply unforgettable. A well-crafted glaze turns a good meal into a great one, creating a succulent, caramelized crust that delights with every bite.

As a proud Floridian, fresh orange juice is a kitchen staple, always readily available. Naturally, my go-to choice for a ham glaze is a vibrant honey-orange blend. This particular glaze never disappoints, delivering a delightful balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes that my family absolutely adores. In fact, they love it so much, they often drizzle it over just about everything else on their plates!

There’s no need to reserve this incredible dish for a special occasion. Much like the beloved baked turkey tenderloin, this glazed ham steak recipe is perfectly suited for any busy weeknight. Its ease and speed make it a fantastic option when time is short but you still crave a home-cooked meal that’s hearty and full of flavor. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary, proving that delicious doesn’t have to mean difficult.

Choosing ham steaks for your main course offers numerous advantages, particularly when you’re seeking convenience without sacrificing taste. Unlike preparing an entire ham, which can be a lengthy process, ham steaks are already fully cooked and require only reheating. This dramatically cuts down on preparation and cooking time, making them a hero for quick meals.

Beyond their speed, ham steaks are incredibly versatile. They serve as an excellent canvas for various flavors, from savory to sweet, allowing you to experiment with different glazes and seasonings. Their uniform thickness ensures even cooking, resulting in tender, juicy meat every time. Whether you’re feeding a small family or simply cooking for yourself, ham steaks provide just the right portion size, reducing waste and simplifying meal planning.

Moreover, the distinct texture and inherent savory qualities of ham steaks pair beautifully with a wide array of side dishes. From classic roasted vegetables to fresh salads and creamy mashed potatoes, they complement diverse culinary profiles, making them a flexible option for any menu. This adaptability ensures that while the ham steak remains the star, it can effortlessly integrate into various meal themes and preferences.

Crafting this delicious sheet pan meal requires just a handful of simple ingredients for the ham steak, the luscious honey orange glaze, and your choice of accompanying vegetables. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and some helpful tips for each:

• Pre-Cooked Ham Steaks: These convenient cuts are readily available in most grocery stores, often found in the refrigerated meat section. You’ll find them sold in both boneless and bone-in varieties, and they come in large slices or individually wrapped smaller portions. For a healthier option, always opt for a low-sodium slice if available, as ham can naturally be quite salty.
• Brown Sugar: This is the backbone of our sweet and savory glaze, providing a rich, molasses-like sweetness. If you’re looking to reduce the sugar content without sacrificing flavor, consider using a half-and-half combination of regular brown sugar and a zero-calorie alternative brown sugar. This can significantly cut down on calories while still achieving that desirable sticky-sweet consistency.
• Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice offers the brightest, most vibrant flavor, but high-quality pulp-free bottled orange juice works perfectly fine for convenience. If you do use fresh oranges, don’t forget to strain out any pulp for a smooth glaze. For an even more intense citrus punch, grate about 1 teaspoon of orange zest into the glaze mixture.
  • Flavor Variation: For a delightful twist, substitute pineapple juice for the orange juice. Pineapple offers a similarly sweet and tangy profile that complements ham beautifully, creating a tropical glaze.
• Honey: Adds a beautiful sticky texture and a different layer of sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the brown sugar and orange.
• Cinnamon & Ground Cloves: These warm spices are optional but highly recommended. They lend a subtle holiday aroma and a complex, comforting flavor that elevates the glaze beyond simple sweetness.

Please refer to the complete recipe card below for the full list of ingredients with precise measurements and detailed instructions.

Follow these simple steps to prepare your irresistible brown sugar honey orange glaze and perfectly cook your ham steak and vegetables in the oven, making for a truly effortless and delicious dinner:

Step 1: Prepare the Irresistible Glaze

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, orange juice, cinnamon, and ground cloves. This aromatic blend will create the magic for your ham. If you’re using fresh orange juice, be sure to add 1 teaspoon of orange zest at this stage for an extra burst of intense citrus flavor. Bring this mixture to a slow boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent it from sticking or burning. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 1 minute. This brief simmer allows the flavors to meld and the glaze to slightly thicken, giving it that perfect coating consistency. Remove the saucepan from the heat and set the glaze aside.

Step 2: Assemble Your Sheet Pan Masterpiece

Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. This simple step is a game-changer for effortless cleanup, saving you time and effort after dinner. Lightly spray the foil with a nonstick cooking spray to further ensure nothing sticks. Carefully place the ham steaks onto the prepared baking pan, ensuring they are not overlapping. Using a pastry brush, generously brush each side of the ham steaks with the prepared honey orange glaze, ensuring they are well coated. Next to the ham steaks, arrange your chosen vegetables – asparagus spears and diced potatoes in this instance – in a single layer. Make sure the vegetables are spread out and not crowded, which is key for proper roasting and crispness. Spritz the vegetables lightly with olive oil and season them generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Place the sheet pan into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your ham steaks and the size of your vegetable pieces. You’ll know it’s ready when the ham is thoroughly heated through and the vegetables are beautifully fork-tender and slightly caramelized. For optimal results, halfway through the baking time (around the 10-minute mark), take the pan out, gently toss the vegetables to ensure even cooking and browning, and rotate the pan if you are using more than one. This helps achieve consistent crispness. To confirm the ham is perfectly cooked and safe to eat, its internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C) when measured with a meat thermometer. Once done, remove from the oven and prepare to serve your delectable sheet pan dinner.

Expert Tips for the Best Baked Ham Steaks

• Avoid Overcooking the Ham Steaks: Pre-cooked ham steaks only need to be reheated, not cooked through like raw meat. Overcooking can lead to dry, tough ham. Keep a close eye on them. If your vegetables require a bit more time to reach desired tenderness but the ham is already at temperature, simply remove the ham steaks from the pan, cover them loosely with aluminum foil, and let them rest while the vegetables finish roasting. This ensures both components are perfectly cooked.
• Don’t Crowd the Vegetables: This is a golden rule for roasting. If you pack too many vegetables onto one sheet pan, they will steam instead of roast, resulting in soggy rather than crispy textures. For the best, crispiest roasted vegetables, ensure they are arranged in a single layer with a little space between each piece. If necessary, don’t hesitate to use two sheet pans, staggering their placement in the oven to allow for proper air circulation and even browning.
• Save or Double the Glaze: This brown sugar honey orange glaze is truly a highlight of the dish. It’s a fantastic idea to reserve a small amount of the prepared glaze before brushing it onto the ham steaks, or better yet, simply double the glaze recipe from the start. This way, you’ll have extra glaze to serve on the side, allowing everyone at the table to drizzle more of that sweet, tangy goodness over their ham and vegetables to their heart’s content. It’s also great for dipping!

Storage and Make-Ahead Options

• Storage: Any leftover baked ham steaks, along with the roasted vegetables, can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Ensure they cool completely before storing to maintain freshness.
• Reheat: To reheat, gently warm the ham and vegetables on the stovetop over low heat, in the oven at a low temperature (around 300°F/150°C) until heated through, or quickly in the microwave. Be careful not to overcook the ham when reheating.
• Make Ahead: To save time on the day of cooking, prepare the glaze ingredients ahead of time. Mix all the components for the brown sugar honey orange glaze and store the mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When ready to cook, simply heat the glaze slightly to loosen it before brushing it onto the ham.

Elevate Your Meal: Serving Suggestions

To perfectly round out this incredibly convenient sheet pan ham steak dinner, featuring tender asparagus and roasted potatoes, consider adding a few complementary elements. A simple yet refreshing mixed green salad, dressed with a bright red wine vinaigrette, provides a lovely crisp contrast to the richness of the ham. Alongside, serve soft, warm dinner rolls to soak up any extra glaze or juices.

For an appetizer that’s both flavorful and fits a low-carb preference, creamy Keto deviled eggs are a fantastic choice, offering a delightful bite before the main course. And when it comes to a sweet ending, my top picks for a truly tasty dessert are a comforting mixed berry crisp (especially convenient when using frozen berries) or a light and airy pineapple souffle. These choices ensure your meal is balanced, satisfying, and concludes on a high note.

It’s genuinely hard to imagine a full Easter or Christmas dinner that’s completely ready in just half an hour – but this recipe makes it possible. This meal is not only quick but also elegant enough to grace any holiday table, leaving you more time to enjoy with loved ones and less time in the kitchen. Just wow!

Absolutely! Cooking ham steak on the stovetop is a quick and easy alternative to baking. Simply heat a tablespoon of butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, brush the ham steak generously with your honey orange brown sugar glaze on both sides. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until it’s beautifully golden brown and heated through. This method is perfect when you’re short on time or prefer a stovetop sear.

Yes, you can certainly eat ham steak cold. Since ham steaks are pre-cooked before you even bring them home, they are safe to consume cold as long as they have been properly handled and stored in the refrigerator after cooking. Chilled ham steak can be a delicious addition to sandwiches, salads, or served as part of a charcuterie board.

When selecting ham steaks, look for pre-cooked, sliced ham. You can choose between boneless or bone-in options; boneless is generally easier to eat and slice after cooking. Pay attention to the sodium content and opt for low-sodium varieties if you’re mindful of salt intake. Most major grocery stores carry ham steaks in their meat section, often near other pork products.

While the brown sugar honey orange glaze truly elevates this ham steak recipe, you can certainly bake ham steaks without it. However, the glaze adds a significant amount of flavor, moisture, and a lovely caramelized crust. If skipping the glaze, consider seasoning the ham steak with your favorite spices (like garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of paprika) and a little olive oil before baking to ensure it doesn’t dry out and still tastes delicious.

Baked Ham Steak with Honey Orange Glaze

This easy baked ham steak recipe with a delicious brown sugar honey orange glaze is a complete sheet pan meal ready in 30 minutes. It’s a flavorful and quick solution for any meal!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Marjory Pilley

Grab 5 Low-Carb Sauces and get more easy, healthy recipes! JOIN HERE

Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 1449mg | Potassium: 878mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 876IU | Vitamin C: 58mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 4mg