Ham Steaks With Pineapple
Brighten up your meal with ham steaks topped with juicy pineapple and a flavorful homemade barbecue sauce. Perfect for slow cooker or oven!
These ham steaks with pineapple are a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday brunches. The sweet-tart pineapple and rich, tangy homemade barbecue sauce bring a tropical flair that complements the smoky ham beautifully.
Best of all, it’s a flexible recipe: cook it low and slow in the crockpot, or bake it in the oven for a faster finish. Either way, the result is juicy ham infused with bold, balanced flavor.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Easy to make. Just mix, pour, and cook—either in the oven or slow cooker.
Sweet and savory. The homemade sauce has just the right balance of tangy and sweet.
Versatile prep. Great for both everyday meals and special occasions.
Minimal ingredients. Uses pantry staples and canned pineapple for convenience.
Ingredient Notes
- Ham steak: Fully cooked ham steaks work best; about 1½ pounds total.
- Brown sugar: Adds molasses-like sweetness to balance the acidity.
- Cornstarch: Slightly thickens the sauce as it cooks.
- Ketchup: Base for the simple homemade barbecue-style sauce.
- Pineapple: Use chunks or tidbits in juice—reserve the juice for the sauce.
- Vinegar: Distilled white or apple cider vinegar helps balance sweetness.
- Dried minced onion: Adds flavor without extra prep—fresh onion can be substituted.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds savory umami depth.
- Black pepper: Just a pinch rounds out the sauce.
Steps to Make Ham Steaks With Pineapple
- Place ham steaks in a slow cooker or baking dish.
- In a bowl, combine brown sugar and cornstarch. Stir in ketchup, pineapple juice, vinegar, onion, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper.
- Sprinkle pineapple chunks over the ham.
- Pour sauce over all.
- For slow cooker: Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours.
- For oven: Bake uncovered at 350°F for about 30 minutes.
Tips for Success
- Use pineapple in juice, not syrup, for the best flavor balance.
- Double the sauce if you prefer extra to spoon over rice or vegetables.
- For a fresh twist, substitute fresh pineapple chunks.
- If your ham is very salty, reduce the Worcestershire or rinse the ham briefly before using.
Recipe Variations
- Use fresh pineapple. Dice fresh pineapple instead of using canned for a bolder tropical flavor.
- Add heat. Stir in a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Include bell peppers. Add sliced red or green bell peppers for color and crunch.
- Glaze-style oven bake. Bake uncovered and baste with sauce halfway through for a stickier finish.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with rice or mashed sweet potatoes to soak up the sauce.
- Pair with a green vegetable like steamed broccoli or green beans.
- Add a side of buttered cornbread or rolls.
- Include a fresh salad or fruit salad for a light contrast.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze ham and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat: Warm in the oven at 325°F until heated through, or reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or pineapple juice.
Ham Steaks With Pineapple
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ham, fully cooked
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 8 ounces pineapple , 8 to 16-ounce can, drained
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 tablespoon onion, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Place the ham steaks in the slow cooker.
- Combine the brown sugar and cornstarch in a bowl or 2-cup measure; blend well. Add the ketchup, pineapple juice, vinegar, minced onion, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper.
- Sprinkle the pineapple chunks over the ham in the slow cooker, then pour the sauce mixture over all.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours.
Oven
- Heat the oven to 350 F.
- Place the ham steaks in a baking dish.
- Combine the brown sugar and cornstarch in a bowl or 2-cup measure; blend well. Add the ketchup, the juice from the pineapple, vinegar, minced onion, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper.
- Sprinkle the pineapple chunks over the ham in the slow cooker, then pour the sauce mixture over all.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
