This easy Hairy Bikers Marmalade Ham is made with a whole boneless ham joint, sweet marmalade, a touch of mustard, and a splash of rum. The result is a savory and succulent ham with a beautiful sticky, sweet, and tangy glaze. This recipe is perfect for a festive feast or a simple Sunday lunch and serves 6-8 people.
Hairy Bikers Marmalade Ham Ingredients
- 1.5kg boneless ham joint, ready to cook
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 1 carrot, roughly chopped
- 1 liter dry cider
- 1 liter cold water
For the Marmalade Glaze:
- 4 tbsp thick-cut marmalade
- 2 tsp English mustard
- 1 tbsp dark brown sugar
- 1 tbsp dark rum (optional)
How To Make Hairy Bikers Marmalade Ham
- Prepare the ham for simmering: First, place the ham joint in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add the quartered onion, chopped carrot, bay leaves, black peppercorns, and pour in the cider and enough cold water to just cover the ham.
- Simmer the ham: Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 20 minutes per 500g of ham. For a 1.5kg ham, this will be about 60 minutes. Keep an eye on the water level and top up with more boiling water if needed.
- Prepare for baking: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Carefully lift the ham out of the simmering liquid and place it on a wire rack over a baking tray. Let it cool for a few minutes.
- Score and glaze the ham: Using a sharp knife, score the ham in a diamond pattern, about 1cm deep. This will create beautiful patterns and help the glaze to penetrate. In a small bowl, mix the marmalade, English mustard, dark brown sugar, and dark rum together until you have a thick, sticky paste. Brush or spoon a generous amount of the glaze all over the top and sides of the ham.
- Bake the ham: Place the tray with the ham in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the glaze is bubbling, sticky, and has a rich, glossy color. You may need to brush the ham with more glaze halfway through baking.
- Rest and serve: Once baked, let the ham rest for about 10 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every slice is moist and tender. Serve in thick slices.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t over-simmer: Follow the cooking time precisely based on the weight of your ham. Over-simmering can make the ham dry and stringy.
- Score the ham deeply: Scoring the ham joint not only makes it look great but also creates more surface area for the glaze to adhere to and caramelize.
- Use good quality ingredients: A good, thick-cut marmalade will provide a better flavor and texture for the glaze. Similarly, using a decent dry cider will give the ham a more complex flavor while simmering.
- Keep an eye on the glaze: The sugar in the glaze can burn easily. Keep an eye on it during the last 10 minutes of baking. If it’s browning too fast, you can cover it loosely with foil.
What To Serve Marmalade Ham
This glazed ham is a versatile main course that pairs well with a variety of side dishes. For a traditional roast, serve it with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables like carrots and parsnips, and some steamed green beans. It’s also delicious in a sandwich with a little extra mustard or as part of a cold platter with pickles and cheese.
How To Store Marmalade Ham Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Once completely cooled, wrap the leftover ham tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: You can freeze leftover ham. Slice it first, then wrap the slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Place in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Hairy Bikers Marmalade Ham Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Total Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sodium: 1500mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 25g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 20g
- Protein: 45g
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this with a bone-in ham? Yes, you can. You will need a larger pot to simmer it in and will have to adjust the cooking time. The rule is about 20 minutes per 500g, but you should check the ham’s internal temperature with a thermometer; it should be 70°C (158°F) when cooked.
- I don’t have dry cider. What’s a good substitute? If you don’t have dry cider, you can use a dry white wine or simply use chicken or vegetable stock for the simmering liquid. The cider adds a subtle fruity flavor, but the ham will still be delicious without it.
- Can I make the glaze ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the marmalade glaze up to a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before you are ready to use it.
Try More Recipes:
- Hairy Bikers Jerk Chicken
- Hairy Bikers Fried Chicken Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Cumberland Sausage Pie Recipe
Hairy Bikers Marmalade Ham Recipe
Description
The Hairy Bikers Marmalade Ham is a wonderfully succulent ham joint, first simmered to perfection and then baked with a beautiful, sticky, sweet, and tangy marmalade glaze. It’s a fantastic centerpiece for any occasion and is surprisingly simple to make.
Ingredients
For the Marmalade Glaze:
Instructions
- Prepare the ham for simmering: Place ham, onion, bay leaves, peppercorns, and carrot in a large pot. Cover with cider and water.
- Simmer the ham: Bring to a boil, then simmer for 60 minutes.
- Prepare for baking: Preheat oven to 200°C. Place ham on a wire rack on a baking tray.
- Score and glaze the ham: Score the ham in a diamond pattern. Mix glaze ingredients and brush over the ham.
- Bake the ham: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the glaze is caramelized and sticky.
- Rest and serve: Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
