This traditional Hairy Bikers Christmas Ham is made with a whole gammon joint, fragrant bay leaves, and a sweet and tangy honey-mustard glaze. This recipe creates a perfectly tender, succulent ham with a sticky, caramelized crust that is a beautiful centerpiece for any holiday meal. It’s a festive favorite perfect for Christmas dinner or a Boxing Day buffet, and the recipe makes a large joint that can be served hot or cold.
Hairy Bikers Christmas Ham Ingredients
- 2.3 kg (5.1 lb) gammon joint, unsmoked and boneless
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 sprig of rosemary
- Whole cloves, for studding
For the Honey Mustard Glaze:
- 5 tbsp clear runny honey
- 5 tbsp English mustard
How To Make Hairy Bikers Christmas Ham
- Boil the gammon: Place the gammon joint in a large pot and cover it completely with cold water. Add the bay leaves and rosemary sprig. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Prepare for roasting: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Carefully remove the boiled gammon from the pot and place it on a foil-lined roasting tray. While it’s still warm, use a sharp knife to remove the layer of skin, leaving a generous layer of fat behind.
- Score the fat: With a sharp knife, score the fat in a criss-cross diamond pattern, being careful not to cut down into the meat itself.
- Make the glaze: In a small bowl, mix the runny honey and English mustard together until well combined.
- Glaze and roast: Use a basting brush to spread the honey mustard glaze evenly all over the scored fat. Gently press a whole clove into the center of each diamond. Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the glaze is golden, sticky, and caramelized.
- Rest and serve: Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving into thick slices.
Recipe Tips
- Check if you need to soak the gammon: Some gammon joints can be very salty, especially if they are a traditional dry-cured variety. Check the packaging instructions or ask your butcher. If soaking is recommended, place the gammon in a pot of cold water in the fridge for 12-24 hours, changing the water a few times.
- Prevent the glaze from burning: Keep a close eye on the ham during the final roasting step. The honey and sugar in the glaze can burn quickly. If the top gets too dark, you can loosely cover it with a piece of foil.
- Pat the fat dry: For the best results, pat the layer of fat dry with a paper towel before you apply the glaze. This helps the glaze adhere better and form a beautiful, sticky crust.
- The benefit of scoring: Scoring the fat in a diamond pattern not only creates a beautiful presentation but also helps the glaze penetrate and the fat to render nicely, resulting in a more flavorful and tender ham.
What To Serve Christmas Ham
This festive ham is a centerpiece on its own. For a traditional Christmas dinner, serve it with classic sides like roasted potatoes, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower cheese. For a simpler meal, it’s wonderful with a side of warm crusty bread and a simple salad. The ham also makes incredible leftovers for sandwiches or can be diced into a creamy pasta dish.
How To Store Christmas Ham Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Let the ham cool completely before storing it in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: Slice the leftover ham and place the slices in a freezer-safe bag or container with as much air removed as possible. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Hairy Bikers Christmas Ham Nutrition Facts
- Per serving (approximate):
- Calories: 323 kcal
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 1,200mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 14g
- Protein: 25g
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between gammon and ham? Gammon is a cured leg of pork that needs to be cooked before it can be eaten. Ham is a gammon joint that has been cooked and is ready to eat, often sold sliced. This recipe uses a gammon joint which you will cook to turn it into ham.
- Can I use a different kind of mustard? Yes, while English mustard provides the classic sharp heat and flavor, you can substitute it with Dijon mustard for a milder tang or wholegrain mustard for a different texture and appearance in the glaze.
- How do I know when the ham is fully cooked? For this recipe, the ham is mostly cooked during the initial simmering step. The final roasting is to create the beautiful glaze. If you are unsure, you can check the internal temperature of the ham with a meat thermometer. It should reach a minimum of 145°F (63°C).
Try More Recipes:
- Hairy Bikers Chicken Soup Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Chicken Jalfrezi Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Tartiflette Recipe
Hairy Bikers Christmas Ham Recipe
Description
This Hairy Bikers Christmas Ham recipe is a holiday favorite, featuring a whole gammon joint boiled to perfection and then roasted with a sweet and savory honey-mustard glaze. The result is a succulent, tender ham with a beautiful, sticky caramelized crust, perfect for any festive table.
Ingredients
For the Glaze:
Instructions
- Boil the gammon: Place the gammon in a large pot with bay leaves and rosemary, cover with water, and simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Prepare for roasting: Remove the gammon, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), and place the ham on a foil-lined tray. Remove the skin, score the fat in a diamond pattern, and stud with cloves.
Glaze and roast: Mix the honey and mustard, then brush the glaze over the ham. Roast for 30 minutes until golden and caramelized.- Rest: Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before carving.
