Authentic Georgia Char-Grilled Country Ham with Red-Eye Glaze

There is perhaps no flavor more evocative of a Georgia morning than the scent of salty, cured country ham hitting a hot griddle. Unlike fresh ham, country ham is aged, cured, and intensely flavorful, requiring a delicate balance of heat and sweetness to truly shine. This recipe takes that Southern staple and elevates it using the Arteflame grill. The unique design of the Arteflame allows you to achieve a searing char on the ham steaks while simultaneously simmering a classic Georgia-style glaze—often inspired by red-eye gravy—right on the flat cooktop. The result is a sticky, caramelized masterpiece that hits every taste bud.

Preparing Georgia Char-Grilled Country Ham is about respecting the ingredients. The saltiness of the cured meat needs to be offset by the sweetness of the glaze, creating that perfect savory-sweet umami profile. Whether you are serving this for a hearty Sunday brunch or a rustic dinner, the high-heat sear of the wood fire locks in moisture while crisping the fat. This guide will walk you through managing the salt content, prepping your grill, and executing the perfect glaze for a meal that tastes like true Southern hospitality.

Ingredients

• 2 slices of Country Ham (center cut, approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick)
• 1 cup Coca-Cola (classic, not diet, for the caramelization)
• 1/2 cup strong brewed black coffee
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Arteflame Grill

1. Start by building a fire in the center of your Arteflame grill using seasoning wood or charcoal.
2. Allow the grill to heat up for about 15-20 minutes. You want the center grate to be extremely hot for searing, while the outer flat top cooktop reaches a medium-high heat perfect for simmering the glaze.
3. Lightly oil the cooktop surface to ensure a non-stick cooking experience.

Step 2: Prepare the Glaze

1. While the grill heats, place a small heat-safe cast iron saucepan directly on the flat cooktop surface.
2. Add the Coca-Cola, black coffee, and brown sugar to the pan.
3. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves completely.
4. Let the liquid simmer and reduce by about half until it thickens into a syrup-like consistency. Stir in the butter at the end to give it a glossy sheen.

Step 3: Grill the Ham

1. Place the country ham steaks directly on the medium-hot part of the flat cooktop (not the direct center initially).
2. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on the first side. You are looking for a deep, mahogany crust to form.
3. Flip the ham steaks. As the second side cooks, brush the top generously with the reduced glaze.
4. Move the steaks closer to the fire for the last minute to crisp up the fat rim, being careful not to burn the sugary glaze.

Step 4: Rest and Serve

1. Remove the ham from the grill and place it on a serving platter.
2. Pour any remaining glaze from the saucepan over the steaks.
3. Finish with a light dusting of freshly cracked black pepper.
4. Let the meat rest for 2 minutes before serving to allow the juices and glaze to set.

Tips

Country ham is notoriously salty because of the curing process, which is why preparation is key before the meat even hits the grill. If you find standard country ham too intense, soak the ham steaks in fresh water for 30 minutes to an hour before grilling; this draws out some of the excess salt and softens the meat. Pat them completely dry before grilling to ensure you still get a good sear. When cooking on the Arteflame, temperature management is effortless—use the outer ring of the cooktop if the glaze starts to caramelize too quickly, or move the meat closer to the center if you want a crispier edge on the fat.

Another vital tip involves the glaze. Because the glaze contains sugar and soda, it can go from caramelized to burnt very quickly. Apply the glaze only during the final stages of cooking. If you apply it too early, the sugar will burn before the ham is heated through. Always keep a close eye on your cast iron sauce pot on the grill; if the liquid reduces too much, just slide it to the cooler outer edge of the plancha to keep it warm without scorching.

Variations

While the Coca-Cola and coffee glaze is a Georgia classic, there are several ways to tweak this recipe to suit different palates or occasions. You can easily adjust the sweetness or add a kick of heat depending on your preference. Since the Arteflame cooktop is so versatile, you can even experiment with adding solid fruits directly to the grill alongside the ham. Here are a few popular variations to try:

• The Bourbon Peach Twist: Substitute the coffee for a shot of Kentucky Bourbon and add peach preserves to the glaze.
• Spicy Honey Glaze: Omit the soda and coffee; instead, use honey mixed with crushed red pepper flakes and a splash of apple cider vinegar.
• Maple Mustard: Mix pure maple syrup with grainy mustard for a tangier, breakfast-style profile.
• Pineapple Slices: Grill fresh pineapple rings right next to the ham and stack them on top for a sweet and savory bite.
• Red-Eye Gravy Traditionalist: Skip the sugar and soda entirely; fry the ham, then deglaze the cooktop with just black coffee to pour over grits.

Best pairings

Georgia Char-Grilled Country Ham is a robust dish with intense flavors, so it requires side dishes that can stand up to the saltiness while providing a creamy or neutral balance. In the South, this dish is rarely served in isolation; it is almost always part of a larger spread. Since you have the Arteflame hot, you can cook many of these sides right alongside the ham on the flat top. The goal is to create a plate where the textures and flavors complement the cured meat rather than competing with it.

• Creamy Cheese Grits: The softness of the grits is the perfect counterpoint to the chewy, salty ham.
• Grilled Biscuits: Split biscuits and toast them on the flat top to sop up the glaze.
• Collard Greens: Braised greens with a little vinegar cut through the richness of the pork fat.
• Fried Eggs: Cook sunny-side-up eggs on the plancha; the runny yolk mixes beautifully with the ham glaze.
• Grilled Peaches: If in season, fresh Georgia peaches grilled until soft make an excellent garnish.

Conclusion

Mastering this Georgia Char-Grilled Country Ham recipe on the Arteflame is more than just cooking a meal; it is about connecting with a culinary tradition that runs deep in Southern culture. The combination of the smoky wood fire, the salty cured pork, and the sweet, coffee-infused glaze creates a flavor profile that is complex, comforting, and undeniably delicious. It transforms a humble ingredient into a centerpiece dish that works just as well for a fancy dinner as it does for a rustic breakfast.

By utilizing the different heat zones of your grill, you ensure perfectly cooked meat and a glaze that is sticky rather than burnt. We hope this recipe inspires you to gather friends and family around the fire, sharing stories and great food. Whether you stick to the classic Coke and coffee glaze or try one of the boozy variations, this dish is sure to become a requested favorite at your backyard cookouts.