Zesty Glazed Ham Steak Sauce
Elevate your ham steak experience with this Zesty Glazed Ham Steak Sauce. A perfect blend of tangy ketchup, spicy hot sauce, and rich brown sugar creates a flavorful marinade that infuses the meat with mouthwatering sweetness and a hint of heat. This versatile sauce not only serves as a marinade but also doubles as a basting sauce during grilling or broiling, ensuring your ham steak is juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor. Ideal for family gatherings or a weeknight dinner, this recipe is sure to impress your guests and family alike.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
ketchup
3/4 cup (none)
cider vinegar
1/4 cup (none)
Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons (none)
hot pepper sauce
1/2 teaspoon (none)
prepared mustard
2 tablespoons (none)
dark brown sugar
1/4 cup (packed)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, prepared mustard, dark brown sugar, and salt.
2
Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it begins to simmer. Allow it to cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors together.
3
Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool slightly.
4
Place the ham steaks in a shallow dish and pour half of the sauce over them, making sure they are well coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
5
Preheat your grill, broiler, or skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the ham steaks from the marinade, discarding used marinade.
6
Grill, broil, or fry the ham steaks for approximately 6-8 minutes on each side, basting with the reserved sauce during cooking, until heated through and caramelized on the outside.
7
Serve the ham steaks hot and drizzle any remaining sauce on top before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Glazed Ham Steak Sauce?
It is a flavorful blend of ketchup, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and dark brown sugar designed to be used as both a marinade and a basting glaze for ham steaks.
What are the core ingredients for this sauce?
The sauce requires ketchup, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, prepared mustard, dark brown sugar, and salt.
How long should I marinate the ham steaks?
For the best results, marinate the ham steaks for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for a deeper flavor profile.
Can I use this sauce as a basting agent?
Yes, the recipe specifically recommends reserving half of the sauce to baste the ham steaks during grilling, broiling, or frying.
Is this ham steak sauce spicy?
The sauce has a hint of heat due to the 1/2 teaspoon of hot pepper sauce, but it is balanced by the sweetness of the dark brown sugar.
How long do I need to cook the sauce on the stove?
You should simmer the mixture over medium heat for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
What cooking methods can be used for the ham steaks?
You can prepare the ham steaks using a grill, a broiler, or a skillet over medium-high heat.
Should the sauce be cooled before marinating?
Yes, you should remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool slightly before pouring it over the raw ham steaks.
Can I reuse the marinade after the meat has soaked in it?
No, you should always discard the used marinade that has come into contact with the meat. Use the reserved portion of the sauce for basting instead.
How long does it take to cook the ham steaks?
The ham steaks generally take about 6-8 minutes per side until they are heated through and caramelized.
What type of vinegar is recommended for this recipe?
Cider vinegar is recommended for its tangy acidity which complements the sweetness of the glaze.
Can I substitute the dark brown sugar?
While dark brown sugar provides a rich molasses flavor, you can substitute it with light brown sugar if necessary.
What kind of mustard should I use?
The recipe calls for 'prepared mustard,' which typically refers to standard yellow mustard or Dijon mustard.
How many ingredients are in the Zesty Glazed Ham Steak Sauce?
There are 7 main ingredients: ketchup, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, mustard, dark brown sugar, and salt.
Is the sauce simmered covered or uncovered?
The sauce should be simmered uncovered for 15 minutes to help it thicken and develop flavor.
Can I use this glaze on other meats?
Yes, this zesty glaze would also pair well with pork chops, grilled chicken, or even as a cocktail sausage sauce.
Do I need to add extra salt to the ham?
The recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of salt in the sauce. Since ham is naturally salty, you usually do not need to add more to the meat itself.
What is the primary flavor profile of this recipe?
It is a savory and zesty profile with a balance of tanginess from vinegar and ketchup and sweetness from brown sugar.
Is this a good recipe for a weeknight dinner?
Absolutely, as the active cooking time for the ham is relatively short (under 20 minutes) and the sauce can be made quickly.
How do I ensure the ham is caramelized?
Basting the ham with the sugar-rich sauce during the final minutes of cooking over medium-high heat will create a beautiful caramelized exterior.
Can I make the sauce in a large batch and store it?
Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
What should the consistency of the sauce be?
After simmering for 15 minutes, the sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and cling to the ham steaks.
Can I skip the hot pepper sauce?
Yes, if you prefer no heat at all, you can omit the hot pepper sauce without ruining the overall flavor of the glaze.
Is this recipe suitable for family gatherings?
Yes, it is an impressive yet easy-to-scale dish that is ideal for hosting guests or large family meals.
Should I serve the remaining sauce at the table?
The recipe recommends drizzling any remaining (unused/clean) sauce over the hot ham steaks just before serving for extra flavor.
How do I marinate the ham properly?
Place the steaks in a shallow dish, coat them thoroughly with half the sauce, and cover them before putting them in the fridge.
Can I use honey instead of brown sugar?
Honey can be used, though it will change the flavor slightly and the glaze may be a bit stickier than when using brown sugar.
What heat level should I use to simmer the sauce?
Use medium heat to bring the mixture to a simmer and maintain that temperature for the 15-minute cooking period.
Does this recipe work with pre-cooked ham?
Most ham steaks sold in stores are pre-cooked; this recipe is perfect for reheating and flavoring those steaks to make them more gourmet.
How much ketchup is required?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of ketchup as the base of the sauce.