Does Ham Steak Have Anything To Do With Actual Steak?

Like many delicious things in life, knowing how to classify certain food items is hotly debated. From the obviously tongue-in-cheek arguments about cereal being considered a soup to serious debates over what constitutes a hamburger, classification is just something humans love to do. Among these hotly debated topics is the significantly more understated discussion of whether or not ham steak is "actual steak."

According to Merriam-Webster's definition, a steak falls under two definitions — the first being "a slice of meat cut from a fleshy part of a beef carcass" and the second, "a similar slice of a specified meat other than beef." In that regard, ham steak certainly fits the bill. After all, it's a huge cut of sliced meat. Obviously, it's not a T-bone steak, but that was never intended as a one-to-one comparison. Webster even mentions ham steaks under its second definition of the term. Ham steaks are called such for the simple reason that they look like and are cooked like steaks. Classifying things is about conveying ideas quickly anyway, and ham steak looks and tastes exactly like the name implies.

So as far as society is concerned, a ham steak is valid as any steak. Whether or not it's as delicious as a beef porterhouse steak is totally subjective. One positive it definitely has is its convenience. Ham steaks have bone-in and boneless versions, but both of them are just as easy to prep as the other. Pre-salted, easy to cut, and easy to pair with just about anything makes ham steak very popular.

Ham steaks are typically a large piece of ham leg or shank that act as a great substitute for those who want ham in a smaller dose. It's incredibly simple to prep and cook, making it a popular dish for impromptu celebrations. Ham is already plenty flavorful on its own, so no need to oversalt it. If you want to get fancy, a flavorful glaze of Dijon mustard, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, brown sugar, and cider vinegar is all you need to make that steak shine, literally and figuratively.

Brush this glossy mixture over your steak on one side before broiling it, then repeat on the other side once golden brown. Another reason why it's comparable to steak is it cooks about as fast as steak, clocking in at under 15 minutes from the prep stage to the dining table. Serve with a side of potatoes or stir-fried veggies, and you have a wonderfully filling meal for the holidays.