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Why we love this recipe
This super-quick recipe is a luxurious tasting number that uses ham steaks and so it cooks up in about fifteen minutes. Perfect for a speedy weeknight supper or a ridiculously easy holiday dinner.
The absolute longest and most challenging part is cutting up the apple (which you don’t even need to peel — we are talking coring and chopping only).
And the secret weapon ingredient in this super fast fancy ham recipe? MAPLE SYRUP. Yep, it’s not just for banana pancakes. 😀
Yep, it’s a sweet and salty extravaganza coming to your dinner table in about fifteen minutes flat. Let’s make it!
What is a ham steak?
A ham steak is quite simply a thick slice of a roasted full ham, usually about eight ounces. You can usually find them somewhere near the bacon in your supermarket, and you can get them either boneless (which I recommend) or with a piece of the bone in.
It’s a perfect solution when you are craving a ham supper, but you don’t want to commit to a giant full ham, and they are great for everything from a quick ham chowder to ham macaroni and cheese to this quick recipe.
Ingredients needed for this recipe
Ingredient additions and substitutions
- Meat: This recipe also works great with the same size piece of turkey. Go to your deli counter and ask for a couple of 1/2 slices of cooked turkey and they will hand it right over.
- Nuts: You can swap in chopped pecans, slivered almonds or even peanuts for the walnuts. And if you need to leave them out altogether, that’s fine too.
- Raisins: Want to up the flavor even further? Add a half cup of raisins when you add the apples.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Here’s how to make this recipe
Step 1: Pop your ham steaks right into a non-stick skillet over medium low heat. They are fully cooked so you are just looking to heat them through and maybe get a little bit of brown on them. You can brown them whole and cut them into serving size pieces later.
Step 2: Meantime, you can throw together the chunky apple walnut sauce in just about the amount of time it takes to heat up the ham. Melt some butter in a skillet and add the walnuts to brown them up a little.
Step 3: Add a couple of chopped apples along with some maple syrup and brown sugar. I know, this sounds like a lot of sweet stuff, but I promise the salty savory ham will balance it right out.
Step 4: It all combines into a syrupy, succulent sauce that you ladle over your ham slice (here comes that sweet and salty combo that I love so much!). Cut the ham steaks in half, cover each half with topping. And you’re done!
Recipe FAQs
Use your favorite! If you want to add a little tart flavor to the mix, green Granny Smith apples are a great choice. Macintosh apples are sweeter and will get a little softer. And personally, I love Gala apples for this recipe!
Yep! Ham steaks come fully cooked (it will say that on the package) so all you are really doing is heating them up.
You can! Or you can swap in a different chopped nut – pecans, macadamia nuts and pistachios would all be wonderful.
Pop your question in the comments section below and I will answer pronto!
Want to round out your meal?
I like to serve spinach on the side, but mashed potatoes, carrots or green beans would also be perfect.
And for dessert, keep the apple happiness coming with this caramel apple cake!
Other ham recipes we love
Could you leave us some stars?
If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section. Your thoughts and advice will help both us and your fellow readers. 🥰
Looking for more dinner inspiration? Here’s our complete collection of dinner recipes!
Ham Steaks With Apple Walnut Sauce
Take your ham supper from good to great with this recipe for ham steaks with apples! It’s sweet and savory deliciousness that’s ready in 15 minutes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 8-ounce cooked ham steaks
- 2 medium apples, cored and chopped
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Heat ham over medium low heat in large skillet until heated through and slightly browned.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in medium skillet over medium high heat and add walnuts. Stir until walnuts are browning, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add apple, maple syrup and brown sugar. Bring to boil and stir until sugar is dissolved and apple softens slightly, about 3 minutes.
- Cut the ham slices in half, place ham slices on plates and ladle sauce over top. Serve immediately.
Notes
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- Apples: Any kind of apple will work with this recipe. Granny Smith apples (the green ones) have a more tart flavor, while Macintosh apples are sweeter. But any variety is great!
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- Nuts: You can swap in chopped pecans, slivered almonds or even peanuts for the walnuts. And if you need to leave them out altogether, that’s fine too.
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- Raisins: Want to up the flavor even further? Add a half cup of raisins when you add the apples.
Alice says
Hi Kate!
I do love cooking with ham steaks but lately I have found them to be so overly salted that they are just not palatable for us. Wondering if you have a favorite brand or some way to lessen the saltiness?
Thanks for any advice!
Hi Alice! I usually use Hormel steaks, but you are right, they can get on the salty side. The best way to get them a little less salty is to give them a good soak in water – a couple of hours if you can – and that actually helps a good bit! :)
Alice says
Great idea! I’ll give that a try, thanks Kate!
Of course! If you get a chance, let us know if that works out for you. :)
Ellie says
This is such a nice combination. The flavors compliment each other perfectly. Scrumptious!
Thanks Ellie! I always make it during apple picking season!