How to Grill Ham Slices

Co-authored by Sasha Reyes and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: November 29, 2022 References

Ham slices or steaks are one of the easiest meats to grill. Mix up your choice of flavorful glazes and baste the ham with the sauce. Then, grill the slices and turn them once so they're heated throughout. Because the flavor of ham works well with lots of flavors, choose a glaze made with pineapple, brown sugar, horseradish, ginger, maple syrup, or rosemary.

Ingredients

Buttery Pineapple Glaze^{[1]
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1 cup (240 ml) pineapple juice
1 cup (240 ml) sherry or apple juice
1/4 cup (56 g) butter, melted
1 tablespoon (6 g) ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) ground cloves

Makes enough glaze for 2 pounds (910 g) of ham slice or steak

Spicy Brown Sugar Glaze^{[2]
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1 cup (200 g) packed brown sugar
¹⁄₄ cup (59 ml) lemon juice
1/3 cup (79 g) prepared horseradish

Makes enough glaze for 1 pound (450 g) of ham slice or steak

Maple Orange Glaze^{[3]
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1 large orange, juiced
¹⁄₄ cup (59 ml) maple syrup
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
4 whole cloves
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Makes enough glaze for 1 pound (450 g) of ham slice or steak

Cider Ginger Glaze^{[4]
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1 cup (240 ml) apple cider
2 cups (400 g) dark brown sugar, packed
7 whole cloves
½ teaspoon (0.5 g) ground ginger or 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) (7 g) grated fresh ginger

Makes enough glaze for 1 pound (450 g) of ham slice or steak

Sweet and Spicy Rosemary Glaze^{[5]
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1/3 cup (105 g) orange marmalade
1 tablespoon (15 ml) cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons (0.8 g) chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon (0.5 g) dry mustard
¹⁄₂ teaspoon (2.5 ml) soy sauce
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Makes enough glaze for 1 pound (450 g) of ham slice or steak

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making a Glaze

1
Combine ingredients for a buttery pineapple glaze. For a rich glaze, melt 1/4 cup (56 g) of butter in a mixing bowl. Stir in 1 cup (240 ml) of pineapple juice, 1 cup (240 ml) of sherry or apple juice, 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) (6 g) of ground mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) ground cloves.
- Stir until the sugar dissolves.
2
Mix and microwave a spicy brown sugar glaze for 1 minute. If you'd like a sweet glaze with a little heat, stir together 1 cup (200 g) of packed brown sugar, ¹⁄₄ cup (59 ml) of lemon juice, and 1/3 cup (79 g) of prepared horseradish. Microwave the glaze until the sugar dissolves and the glaze is warm.

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3
Simmer a maple orange glaze on the stove top. Put the juice from 1 orange into a small skillet or saucepan. Stir in ¹⁄₄ cup (59 ml) of maple syrup, 1 clove of garlic, 4 whole cloves, 1 pinch of ground cinnamon, and 1 pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Heat the glaze over medium and stir it frequently.
- Keep simmering the glaze until half of the liquid has evaporated.
- If you like, strain out the cloves and garlic before using the glaze.
4
Cook a cider ginger glaze on the stove. Measure 1 cup (240 ml) of apple cider, 2 cups (400 g) of dark brown sugar, 7 whole cloves, and ½ teaspoon (0.5 g) of ground ginger or 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) (7 g) of grated fresh ginger into a saucepan. Stir and heat the glaze over medium heat until the glaze becomes syrupy.
- Half of the liquid should evaporate as the glaze cooks.
5
Simmer a sweet and spicy rosemary glaze. Put 1/3 cup (105 g) of orange marmalade, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of cider vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons (0.8 g) of chopped fresh rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 g) of dry mustard, ¹⁄₂ teaspoon (2.5 ml) of soy sauce, and 1 pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Stir and heat the glaze over medium until the glaze is syrupy.
- The glaze should cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
6
Use your favorite store-bought glaze. If you don't have the time or inclination to make your own ham glaze, use your favorite purchased glaze, sauce, or dressing. For example, you can baste the ham slices with:
- Barbecue sauce
- Italian dressing
- Maple dijon dressing
- Teriyaki sauce

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Cooking the Ham on the Grill

1
Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-hot. Turn on a gas grill to medium-high or fill a chimney with charcoal briquettes. Light the charcoal and dump them on the center of the grill once the briquettes are hot and lightly ashy.^{[6]
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2
Oil the grill grate. To prevent the ham slices from sticking, dip a paper towel in a little vegetable oil. Use tongs to hold the oiled paper towel and rub it over the grill grates.^{[7]
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3
Arrange the ham slices on the grill and brush them with glaze. Lay one to two 1 lb (453 g) ham slices on the oiled grill grate. Dip a basting brush in whichever glaze you prepared and brush the glaze over the ham.
- Place the slices at least 1 in (2.5 cm) apart on the grill.
4
Grill the ham for 3 to 4 minutes. Leave the lid off of the grill and let the ham slices cook so they brown a little on the bottom.
5
Baste the other side with glaze and grill them for 3 to 4 more minutes. Use tongs to turn the ham slices over. Dip the basting brush in glaze and brush the other side of the ham. Grill the ham until it's completely warm throughout.
- Consider basting the ham slices with more glaze as they grill or refrigerate leftover glaze in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.
- Store the leftover ham in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days.
6
Enjoy your grilled ham.