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Home » Classic Ham Steak with Red-Eye Gravy

Classic Ham Steak with Red-Eye Gravy

By Kim 2 Comments

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Ham steak with red-eye gravy is an easy comfort food classic that takes mere minutes to make. The slightly bitter coffee gravy a great accompaniment to the rich salty-sweet taste of ham.

Classic Ham Steak With Red Eye Gravy cooks in minutes and is so tasty! #hamsteak #redeyegravy #ham #lowcarb #keto

This is a tasty comfort food dish my mother taught me after I graduated college and was living on my own. Southerners will rightly take credit for this dish, but my grandmother learned how to make it as a young woman working in a diner in upstate NY.

A ham steak is a thick slice of ham including a small circular bone near the center of the steak. It’s about half an inch thick and varies in size, but will easily feed four people with sides. The beauty of a ham steak is that it cooks in about 6-7 minutes, so it’s a fantastic meal to have in mind for a busy week. Red eye gravy is a great foil for the ham.

Mom always made – gravy with strong coffee and bacon grease. The slightly acidic bitterness of coffee marries nicely with the rich salty-sweet taste of the ham. It’s a match made in heaven. But, make sure not to burn the coffee or it will be too bitter.

How to cook ham steak

The easiest way to cook a ham steak is in a frying pan on the stove. Let the ham come to room temperature for 20 minutes. Then heat up the pan, add some oil (I like bacon grease) and brown the ham 3-4 minutes per side depending on the thickness of the ham. That’s it! Serve immediately or cover loosely with foil if you want to make red eye gravy.

You can also use a small pre-formed boneless ham to make this dish. Just slice the ham into 1/2 inch slices and brown both sides in the pan. You can get three slices in the pan at the same time.

Ham steak on a platter with green beans and cheesy cauliflower mash.

How to make – gravy

Making red-eye gravy is very easy. After browning and removing the ham from the pan, turn the heat down to medium and add 1/4 cup of strong coffee and 1/4 cup of water. Stir to scrape up any browned bits of ham from the pan. Then, add two tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon ketchup, stirring to blend the ingredients.

Red eye gravy is a thin, but flavorful gravy. It can become quite bitter if cooked too long or if the pan is too hot. Adding a little butter helps temper the bitterness and the ketchup helps balance the overall flavors. Some people add a touch of brown sugar, molasses, sorghum syrup or maple syrup instead.

Ham steak with red eye gravy, cheesy cauliflower mash and green beans.

What to serve with ham steak and red eye gravy

Grits or mashed potatoes are traditionally served with ham and red eye gravy, but so are biscuits and/or french bread. Since I follow a low carb diet, I serve cauliflower mash or roasted rutabaga instead of a starch. Green beans, especially Southern Style Green Beans are also traditional, but collard greens, Brussels sprouts, or any sautéed greens are equally good.

Although I serve ham steak with red eye gravy for dinner, it’s just as appropriate to serve it for Sunday breakfast with biscuits, eggs, grits, and sorghum butter. Low Carb or Keto dieters should try it with eggs and low carb pancakes or waffles. Maple walnut scones would also be tasty!

Ham steak with red eye gravy, cheesy cauliflower mash and green beans.

Ham Steak with Red Eye Gravy

Course: Breakfast, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: ham steak, red eye gravy
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 417kcal
Ham steak with red eye gravy is an easy comfort food classic that takes mere minutes to make. The slightly bitter coffee gravy a great accompaniment to the rich salty-sweet taste of ham.
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 pound Ham steak
  • 2 tsp Bacon grease
  • 1/4 cup Strong black coffee
  • 1/4 cup Water
  • 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp Ketchup (I use reduced sugar)

Instructions

  • Let ham steak come to temperature for 20 minutes. Blot it with a dry paper towel so it browns and doesn't steam in the pan.
  • Place a large frying pan over medium heat. When completely hot, add 2 teaspoons of oil and tilt pan to distribute the oil. 
  • Put the ham in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and warmed through. Remove to a plate and keep warm.
  • Turn the heat down to med-low and add the coffee and water, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits. Let it reduce slightly, then add the butter and ketchup (see post for other ideas). Stir until the butter melts and is slightly emulsified in the gravy.
  • Spoon over the ham at service. Serves 4.

Notes

Nutrition Facts
Ham Steak with Red Eye Gravy
Amount Per Serving
Calories 417 Calories from Fat 288
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 32g 49%
Cholesterol 103mg 34%
Sodium 1730mg 72%
Total Carbohydrates 0.26g 0%
Sugars 0.2g
Protein 31g 62%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.26g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 32g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 1730mg | Sugar: 0.2g

Southern style green beans with pork and broth.

Delicious Southern Green Beans!

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Classic Ham Steak With Red Eye Gravy cooks in minutes and is so tasty! #hamsteak #redeyegravy #ham #lowcarb #keto
Pin102
Share79

Filed Under: Breakfast, Dinner, Fast & Easy, Paleo, Pork, Stove Top (Griddle/Pot/Skillet), Whole 30

Previous Post: « Filet Mignon Steak Pizzaiola
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  1. Erica B

    January 26, 2019 at 6:12 pm

    What a great idea! I’m always at a loss for ways to dress up ham. My husband and I had this for lunch today, with roasted garlic smashed cauliflower and spinach with butter and vinegar. It was a hearty Southern-ish lunch. I should have reduced the gravy a bit more, but I was worried about burning the coffee. I did add a pinch of salt, another tablespoon of ketchup, a smidgen of molasses, and a few drops of Worcestershire sauce. I think the additions rounded out the flavor nicely and offset the bitterness of the coffee.. Next time I’ll reduce the gravy more, and I’m sure the more intense flavor will be excellent. We’ll definitely have it again. Thank you, Kim!

    Reply
    • KimKim

      January 26, 2019 at 8:24 pm

      I’m so glad you liked the recipe, Erica, and love that you were able to adjust the gravy to your tastebuds. Thanks so much for sharing and for taking the time to comment on the recipe. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. -Kim

      Reply

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KimHi, I'm Kim. I love coffee, steak, and love to bake. Are you looking for great Low Carb, Keto recipes that taste like the real thing? You're in the right place! Sign up for my NEWSLETTER and never miss a post!

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