Brown Sugar and Bourbon-Glazed Ham Steaks

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Pan-seared ham steaks glazed with a sweet and smoky brown sugar bourbon sauce, perfect for festive dinners. This american-inspired holiday ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) ham steaks, brown sugar, bourbon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.2 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Add 4 ham steaks (6 oz each) and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown edges form.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup bourbon, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp ground cloves until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Pour the bourbon glaze over the ham steaks in the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, spooning glaze over the ham frequently until the sauce thickens and coats the steaks.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and let ham steaks rest for 3 minutes before serving with extra glaze spooned on top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Brown Sugar and Bourbon-Glazed Ham Steaks take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Brown Sugar and Bourbon-Glazed Ham Steaks?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) ham steaks from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Brown Sugar and Bourbon-Glazed Ham Steaks?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Brown Sugar and Bourbon-Glazed Ham Steaks for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Brown Sugar and Bourbon-Glazed Ham Steaks?

American holiday like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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