How to Cook a Ham Steak in 15 Minutes

Name: How to Cook a Ham Steak in 15 Minutes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 6 precooked ham steaks, medium sized (or large ones, halved, ); ½ teaspoon dried thyme

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Learning How to Cook a Ham Steak turns a simple weeknight dinner into something truly special. This method delivers perfectly browned, juicy ham steaks that pair beautifully with any side dish you choose!

Four slices of glazed ham, showcasing how to cook a ham steak perfectly, are garnished with fresh herbs and arranged on a wooden serving board with a beige cloth underneath.

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👩‍🍳 This recipe comes together in 15 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.

Table of Contents

My 2 Best Tips for Cooking Ham Steak

Temperature Control: Maintaining medium heat throughout the cooking process prevents the ham from becoming tough or developing burnt spots while ensuring proper browning. Too high heat will create a dark exterior before the interior warms through, while too low heat won't develop that desirable caramelized crust. Adjust the burner as needed to maintain consistent temperature.

Oil Selection: Using olive oil provides a neutral flavor that won't overpower the ham while offering excellent heat distribution for even browning. The oil should coat the bottom of the pan but not be so deep that it pools around the steaks. Alternative oils like avocado or vegetable oil work well too, but avoid butter which can burn at the required cooking temperature.

melissa leaning over counter looking up from a cook book.

I usually start by heating the olive oil until it shimmers perfectly in the pan, then add the ham steaks with a generous sprinkle of aromatic thyme. The key is getting that beautiful golden-brown sear on both sides while the herbs release their fragrant oils into the meat.

You will love this ham steak recipe because it's such an easy weeknight dinner solution. This savory, herb-crusted dish delivers restaurant-quality results with simple ingredients.

Ham steak is one of those versatile proteins that transforms any meal into something special - from hearty breakfast plates with eggs to elegant dinner presentations alongside roasted vegetables.

🩷 Melissa

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Enter your email below and we will send it straight to your inbox. Plus you will get great new recipes from us every week!

Melissa Griffiths

Learning How to Cook a Ham steak turns a simple weeknight dinner into something truly special. This method delivers perfectly browned, juicy ham steaks that pair beautifully with any side dish you choose.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings

Calories 317 kcal

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
6 precooked ham steaks, medium sized (or large ones, halved, )
½ teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions

Heat the oil over medium heat until shimmering in a large pan like a Dutch oven or deep skillet.
Add the ham steaks and sprinkle with the thyme.
Cook on both sides until browned, adjusting the heat up or down as needed to brown the meat without burning.

Notes

Flavor Variations: Experiment with different herb combinations like rosemary and garlic powder, or add a touch of brown sugar for caramelized sweetness. A splash of apple cider vinegar or white wine during cooking can also enhance the flavor profile.

Quality Selection: Look for ham steaks with minimal added water and avoid those with excessive packaging liquid. Higher quality steaks will have better texture and flavor, making your final dish more satisfying and delicious.

Portion Planning: One medium ham steak typically serves one person as a main course, though appetites vary. If serving children or using as part of a larger meal with multiple sides, you might get away with smaller portions.

Storage: Ham steak can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week. It can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 317kcalCarbohydrates: 0.1gProtein: 44gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 2868mgPotassium: 735mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 0.002gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 73mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 2mg

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How To Cook Ham Steak

Step 1: In a large saucepan, add your olive oil and cook until shimmering.

Step 2: Once it’s heated, add the ham steaks and sprinkle the sides with thyme.

Step 3: Cook the ham steak on both sides until is it nicely browned and completely heated through.

Step 4: Serve as desired and enjoy.

Six slices of glazed, cooked ham are arranged in a row on a wooden serving board, garnished with fresh herbs—perfect inspiration if youre wondering how to cook a ham steak for your next rustic meal.

Recipe FAQs

Can you freeze ham slices?

Yes you can! Whether the ham steak is pre-cooked or not doesn’t matter, you can still freeze it just the same. If you eventually plan on just using some steaks, and not all of them, then I recommend freezing them solid for about an hour on a baking sheet first. They can then be placed in a freezer bag all together but can be individually taken out. These can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Is ham steak already cooked?

Ham steaks are not normally pre-cooked, but some are. The ham steaks that come in a large slice from the deli section are usually smoked but still technically raw meat. The ham steaks that are logs of meat reconstituted from various parts of the ham are usually pre-cooked or smoked and no longer considered “raw” but should still be heated through before eating.

How do I know when the ham steak is properly heated through?

The ham steak should reach an internal temperature of 140°F and have golden-brown edges on both sides. Since it's pre-cooked, you're mainly reheating and developing flavor, which usually takes 3-4 minutes per side.