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How to cook a gammon joint

Our gammon recipe is so easy and perfect for any time of year...

★★★★★ Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars. 18 Ratings
Rate this recipe
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Serves 8+
  • Gluten Free

Preparation

Total time
6 Hrs 30 Mins
Preparation time
30 Mins
Cooking time
6 Hrs

  • joint of gammon

  • onion, sliced

  • lemon, sliced

  • peppercorns

  • 2 bay leaves (optional)

For the glaze

  • 2 tbsp demerara sugar

  • 1 tbsp French mustard

  1. Soak the joint of gammon in cold water for a few hours (or overnight) to remove the salt (if you haven't got time to soak the gammon for a few hours, boil it for 30 minutes instead to remove the salt and then start the recipe)

  2. Transfer to a large saucepan or slow cooker (if using a slow cooker, cook on low for 6 hours), add fresh cold water, an onion, a lemon and a few peppercorns (and a couple of bay leaves if you have them)

  3. Bring to the boil slowly and simmer for 25 minutes per 500g

  4. Skim off any scum that comes to the surface as it is cooking

  5. Then leave to cool for a few minutes before lifting out

  6. Carefully peel off skin (without removing the fat) and cover with a glaze of demerara sugar and french mustard

Print this recipe

You will need

Slow cooker - This shutter-proof and hob-proof one by Morphy Richards measures 33 x 25 x 20 cm - see more details here at Amazon .

Large saucepan - We really like this cerastone-coated one as it allows for healthier cooking with little or no oil and is 22cm. See more details here at Amazon .

Brush - perfect for painting on the glaze - see more details here at Wilko.

Tips

It's a British classic meal, we show you the best way to cook it. The cooked meat will last up to 5 days in the fridge and makes delicious sandwiches, especially smothered with english mustard.

25 minutes per 500g is equivalent to the following cooking times:

Check out Netmums '5 ways to cook gammon' gallery

Variations

Instead of water, cook your ham in Coke, cider or stock

If you want it to look fancy when you serve it up, you can cut diagonal shapes in the surface fat and add a clove into each diagonal before putting in a 220'C/Gas mark 7 oven for 20 minutes or until the glaze is caramelised

For an alternative glaze; use honey, orange juice and mustard

If you use water, save the stock for boiling vegetables

Reviews

★★★★★ Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars. 18 Ratings
Rate this recipe

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Has anyone tried this in coke, need advice asap. It's cooking now and the coke has like separated. So it's like clear liquid with like brown scummy bits floating in it. Something isn't quite right here :/ help someone please?

    Reviewed on 23/12/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Looks a great recipe, will use this over the Christmas period.

    Reviewed on 11/11/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    will be trying this for xmas

    Reviewed on 11/11/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Turned out perfect... thanks!

    Reviewed on 01/11/15

  • christine b(172)

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Great with Pease pudding and veggies :-)

    Reviewed on 31/10/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Served with cabbage and new potatoes, Yummy :)

    Reviewed on 15/04/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Amazing

    Reviewed on 08/04/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Help! I've just bought two small joints of gammon as I couldn't get hold of a large one. I'm planning on boiling them both together - do I need to double the cooking time?

    Reviewed on 03/04/15

  • Susan N(37)

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    It tasted really great and a joint makes many meals. You can slice it and freeze it and serve at a later date

    Reviewed on 31/03/15

  • Claire F(173)

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Massive hit with my family! We had this on Sunday and it was yummy! I popped it in the slow cooker - such an easy meal to make. Everyone loved it, served it with chips and peas! Nom nom x

    Reviewed on 11/03/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    I am going to try this recipe out with the coke idea. It sounds great

    Reviewed on 13/02/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    I cook this all the time. I vary like the recipe with diet coke, apple juice, or as the recipe states. its a winner!

    Reviewed on 13/02/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★☆ Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

    How much water or juice should be used please as am going to try this in the morning x

    Reviewed on 08/02/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    I love this recipe, it is spot on and tastes delicious

    Reviewed on 02/02/15

  • kerry v

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Lovely. We had this on Boxing Day.

    Reviewed on 27/01/15

  • Lucy H(258)

    ★★★★☆ Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

    This was totally delish and really easy. My family gobbled it up :)

    Reviewed on 22/01/15

  • Lucy H(258)

    ★★★★☆ Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

    This was totally delish and really easy. My family gobbled it up :)

    Reviewed on 22/01/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    So easy to do in slow cooker and if using water then can use as a base stock or for soup with leftover ham. A joint easily makes 3 meals, eg pie then soup so frugal too

    Reviewed on 21/01/15

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