How Long to Cook Ham Steak in Oven at 350 for Juicy Results
Recently, I've been researching the cooking techniques of grilled ham steaks and found that controlling the temperature and time is particularly crucial. Let me share how long it takes to bake ham steaks in an oven at 350°F (about 175°C).
How long does it take to bake ham steaks in an oven at 350°F?
Standard thickness (about 1 inch): It takes 20 - 25 minutes.
Thin-sliced ham steaks (about 0.5 inch): It takes 15 - 20 minutes.
Thick-sliced ham steaks (over 1.5 inches): It takes 25 - 30 minutes.
If the ham steaks have been pre-cooked (most commercially available products are pre-processed), the baking time can be slightly shortened. Just heat them until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
For ham steaks marinated with syrup or sauce, the baking time needs to be shortened. It is recommended to bake them covered with tin foil and check every 10 minutes to avoid burning.
Doneness preference:
If you like a slightly charred surface, you can increase the oven to the Broil mode in the last 3 minutes.
Methods to judge the doneness:
Thermometer method: Insert it into the thickest part. When the temperature reaches 145°F (63°C), it's done.
Visual method: The meat changes from translucent to evenly pinkish-white, and the edges curl slightly.
Touch method: Gently press with a fork. If it bounces back strongly, it indicates that it's fully cooked.
Precautions:
Line the baking pan with aluminum foil or baking paper when using it to make cleaning easier.
Flip the ham steaks once during the process to ensure even heating.
After taking them out, it's best to let them rest for 3 - 5 minutes before cutting and serving.
How long to cook ham steak in oven at 400°F ?
If you like the taste of ham steaks that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, 400°F (200°C) is a great choice, and the baking time will also be shortened to 10 - 18 minutes:
Thin-sliced ham steaks: It takes about 10 - 12 minutes, and there is no need to flip them halfway.
Thick-sliced ham steaks: It takes about 15 - 18 minutes. I usually flip them once at the 8 - minute mark.
Tips for high - temperature cooking:
If you like a slightly sweet ham steak, you can brush a layer of honey or maple syrup on the surface, which can form an attractive caramelized crust.
I always preheat the oven to the required temperature and then put in the ham steaks. This can prevent the meat from shrinking.
If you plan to bake some vegetables together (such as carrots, potato chunks), I suggest baking the vegetables alone for 20 minutes first and then adding the ham steaks. This way, both can be baked just right.
What temperature to cook ham steak in oven?
Choosing the right temperature is the key to cooking ham steaks. Here are some of the best temperature suggestions I've summarized:
350°F (175°C): This is the temperature I commonly use. It's suitable for most pre - cooked ham steaks and can keep the ham steaks moist very well.
400°F (200°C): I use this temperature to bake raw ham steaks (such as fresh pork leg meat). The high temperature can effectively sterilize and lock in the meat juices.
Low - temperature slow baking (300°F/150°C): This is suitable for extra - thick - cut (over 3 cm) or bone - in hams. It usually takes 40 - 50 minutes.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends heating raw pork to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), while pre - cooked ham steaks only need to be heated to 140°F (60°C).
If your ham steaks are already pre - cooked, I suggest reducing the temperature to 325°F (160°C) and then extending the baking time (20 - 30 minutes). This can prevent the ham steaks from becoming too dry.
How to cook ham steak in oven?
I like to prepare ham steaks in the following way:
Ingredients Preparation:
1 ham steak(about 1 inch thick)
2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter (optional)
Brown sugar or honey (optional, for adding sweetness)
Mustard or glaze (optional, for added flavor)
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Essential Tools:
Baking pan, aluminum foil, meat thermometer
Step - by - Step Guide:
1.Pre - treating the ham steak:
First, I pat the surface of the ham steak dry with kitchen paper towels. Then, I gently score a diamond - shaped pattern on both sides to help the flavors penetrate.
Evenly smear olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and let the ham steak stand for 10 minutes.
If you like, you can also spread some mustard sauce, or choose honey, brown sugar or glaze according to your personal taste.
2.Preheating the oven:
I set the oven temperature to 350°F and preheat it for 10 minutes.
3.Baking the ham steak:
Place the ham steak in the baking pan and gently cover it with aluminum foil.
Then put it in the middle layer of the pre - heated oven and bake for about 20 - 25 minutes. You can flip it over once halfway.
If you like the surface to be golden and crispy, remove the aluminum foil in the last 5 minutes of baking to make the surface of the ham steak more appealing.
4.Serving:
I always use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature of the ham steak before taking it out of the oven.
After baking, let it stand for 3 minutes before cutting to ensure that the meat juices do not run out.
At this time, I will serve it with some roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes or a fresh salad. It's simply delicious!
How long to cook ham steak on stove?
Sometimes, I also choose to pan - fry ham steaks on the stove, which is faster:
For a 1 - inch - thick ham steak: Fry each side for about 5 - 7 minutes over medium heat.
Method:
I first preheat the pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil or butter to prevent sticking.
Then put in the ham steak and fry each side for 5 - 7 minutes. Adjust the specific time according to the thickness of the ham steak.
When the edges turn golden brown and the internal temperature meets the standard, it's done.
Tips for Pan - Frying
Before frying, I pat the surface of the ham steak dry with kitchen paper towels to avoid oil splashing.
If I want to add more flavor, I like to add some garlic slices or rosemary. Finally, I will also drizzle a little white wine, which has an excellent flavor - enhancing effect.
Advantages and Disadvantages Compared with the Oven Method
Advantages: I think pan - frying ham steaks is particularly suitable for small - quantity cooking and is fast (it can be done in 10 - 15 minutes).
Disadvantages: Compared with the oven, the ham steak is not heated as evenly and needs to be flipped more frequently.
