Christmas ham recipes (2024)

Follow our basic guide on how to cook and prepare gammon and ham, plus the differences between the two. We also have a great leftover ham recipe collection, full of ideas for lunches and dinners including salads, soups and tasty pies. If you're choosing an alternative meat for Christmas dinner, go with one from our turkey recipes collection.

Showing 1 to 24 of 37 results

Honey-glazed ham
A star rating of 4.9 out of 5.78 ratings
Add a sticky honey and mustard glaze to gammon for a delicious sweetness that contrasts with the saltiness of the meat. It's great for a celebration supper
- 2 hrs 20 mins
- Easy
Hot honey-glazed gammon
A star rating of 5 out of 5.2 ratings
Serve up this spicy, sticky and sweet gammon over the festive period. It's just as fabulous in Boxing Day sandwiches as it is for the main event
- 1 hr 45 mins
- More effort
- Gluten-free
Slow cooker gammon in cola
A star rating of 4.6 out of 5.98 ratings
Fill your kitchen with the smell of Christmas with this slow cooked gammon. The cola adds a sweet treacly flavour to balance the saltiness of the ham.
- 6 hrs 10 mins
- Easy
- Gluten-free
Sticky ginger-glazed ham hocks
A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.3 ratings
Fan of glazed gammon at Christmas? By using ham hocks, the meat is more affordable and you get a higher ratio of glaze to meat – a win win!
- 2 hrs 40 mins
- Easy
- Gluten-free
A star rating of 5 out of 5.9 ratings
Bake a gammon joint with a marmalade, ginger and star anise glaze for a centrepiece main course. It's ideal at Christmas time or for Sunday lunch
- 3 hrs
- More effort
- Gluten-free
A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.2 ratings
Let the spicy notes of ginger come into their own in this Christmas ham. It’s poached in ginger beer, then basted in a sticky tamarind glaze
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- 2 hrs 50 mins
- Easy
- Gluten-free
A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.10 ratings
Cook this festive roast ham up to three days ahead and keep it covered in the fridge to save on stress when entertaining
- 1 hr 40 mins
- Easy
A star rating of 5 out of 5.3 ratings
Elevate a joint of ham using storecupboard spices. Pork pairs well with fragrant fennel, and the sweet, sticky honey nicely counters the punch of chilli
- 3 hrs 15 mins
- Easy
- Gluten-free
Spiced ginger-glazed ham
A star rating of 4.2 out of 5.8 ratings
Treat guests over for Christmas to a Boxing Day ham. You don’t need a long shopping list – this easy, sweetly spiced version uses just five ingredients
- 3 hrs 40 mins
- Easy
- Gluten-free
A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.2 ratings
Enjoy homemade ham, egg and chips, pub-style. As it’s a simple dish it needs to be done properly - learn from chef Tom Kerridge in this recipe
- 30 mins
- Easy
A star rating of 4.2 out of 5.5 ratings
The ginger in this recipe is almost toffee-like, the meat stays juicy and the clementines add a pop of colour
- 4 hrs 30 mins
- Easy
Slow-cooker ham with sticky ginger glaze
A star rating of 4.6 out of 5.22 ratings
See Also
Homemade Harissa Recipe
A small gammon will easily fit in a slow cooker. Cook it low and slow for homemade glazed ham that's ideal for sandwiches, party buffets or simply sliced and served with chips
- 7 hrs 40 mins
- Easy
Miso-glazed roast ham
A star rating of 5 out of 5.5 ratings
A succulent, sweet and savoury roast ham makes the perfect centrepiece for a Sunday dinner with family and friends, especially at Christmas
- 5 hrs 40 mins
- More effort
A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.149 ratings
Cook a juicy gammon joint in a cinnamon-spiced stock, then add a sticky syrup and clove sauce and serve in thick slices.
- 3 hrs 25 mins
- Easy
Baked glazed ham
A star rating of 5 out of 5.6 ratings
This is a true Christmas centrepiece and an essential for any traditional dinner. Simple and effective, with just five ingredients to a festive favourite
- 6 hrs 15 mins
- More effort
- Gluten-free
A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings
Enjoy the deep savoury taste of slow-cooked ham, complemented by fresh sage and zesty lemon – ideal for Sunday lunch
- 5 hrs 35 mins
- Easy
- Gluten-free
A star rating of 5 out of 5.3 ratings
If you’re craving Christmas ham, this is the recipe you need. It’s simple, cheap and has a beautiful mustard and treacle caramelised glaze to top it off
- 3 hrs 35 mins
- Easy
- Gluten-free
A star rating of 4.2 out of 5.6 ratings
If you're looking for a Christmas classic with a twist, this French ham hock and pistachio terrine, transformed into a modern make-ahead starter is for you
- 5 hrs
- More effort
A star rating of 5 out of 5.1 rating
Add a festive, sticky and zesty glaze to ham, then serve with a sharp cranberry sauce which cuts through the smoky meat
- 4 hrs 10 mins
- More effort
- Gluten-free
A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.86 ratings
Gordon Ramsay’s succulent maple-glazed ham is perfect for a Boxing Day feast
- 3 hrs 10 mins
- More effort
Sticky maple-glazed ham with baked apple sauce
A star rating of 5 out of 5.4 ratings
Slow-roast a whole leg of gammon with apple juice, then cover in a sticky spiced glaze for a Christmas treat - perfect sliced hot or cold
- 6 hrs 40 mins
- Easy
Spiced Christmas gammon with membrillo glaze
A star rating of 5 out of 5.6 ratings
Give festive ham a Spanish twist with a sticky quince and orange glaze. Allspice, cloves and cinnamon add real warmth
- 3 hrs 15 mins
- Easy
- Gluten-free
A star rating of 4.9 out of 5.10 ratings
Glaze your gammon joint with fruit, bay leaves, allspice and cloves then slow-roast and serve in thick slices
- 3 hrs 40 mins
- More effort
A star rating of 4.9 out of 5.7 ratings
Served hot or cold, this delicious cut of pork with a sugar glaze is best sliced into thick pieces
- 3 hrs 45 mins
- Easy

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FAQs

What is the best ham to serve for Christmas? ›

Most holiday chefs can immediately eliminate fresh ham from the list, narrowing it down to city ham or country ham. City ham has a drier texture and a more intense salty flavor, so it's usually safer to go with a city ham if you're unsure whether everyone would like a country ham and looking for a crowd-pleaser.

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How do I get the best Christmas ham? ›

Best ham tips:

Naturally smoked hams usually have less water-weight and better flavour, so look for one that has a dark colour on the rind and is naturally smoked. Choose one with a good layer of fat of you are going to glaze, as that's where the flavour melts in.

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What is the best way to cook a precooked ham? ›

If the ham is labeled "fully cooked" (does not require heating), heat it in the oven for about 10 minutes per pound, or to an internal temperature of 140 F. If the ham is labeled "cook before eating," heat in an oven set no lower than 325 F to an internal temperature of at least 145 F.

What makes ham taste better? ›

Peach preserves, hot pepper jelly, and maple syrup work as sweet bases for glazes that add sheen as well as distinct flavor. Tasty additions such as aromatics, herbs, and spices switch up a traditional ham and make it truly memorable.

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What type of ham has the best flavor? ›

Buy bone-in ham. Yes, the bone is a little more work to cut around, but the meat is more flavorful and the hambone can be used to flavor soups and stews. Check the label. City hams can be artificially plumped up with water or solutions, but this dilutes the flavor, so look for one with no added water or juices.

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Which end of the Christmas ham is better? ›

One of our most frequently asked questions at Christmas is which end is better, the Chump End or Shank End? It really comes down to personal preference. However if you are presenting the Ham as a centrepiece, or prefer easier carving, then the Shank end is your best bet.

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How many pounds of ham do you need for Christmas? ›

How much ham per person? The best rule of thumb for ham is to plan about 1/2 pound per person when picking a bone-in ham (it's heavier) and 1/3 pound if boneless. Look, at the end of the day, some people will eat more than expected, some will eat less—it'll even out.

What is the tastiest ham in the world? ›

Joselito | Declared the best ham in the world | Iberian acorn-fed ham. SINCE 1868 With more than 150 years of experience, Joselito holds the secrets of an ancestral tradition.

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How do you enhance a precooked ham? ›

Add 1/2-3/4 of a cup of wine or stock to the pan (you don't want the ham swimming in liquid) and throw some aromatics in there—a few whole cloves, some star anise, and cinnamon sticks are all good options.

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Why do you soak a ham before cooking? ›

If necessary, soak the gammon (ham) in cold water to reduce saltiness, according to butcher or packet instructions (most do not need this anymore as curing methods have changed). Weigh to calculate the cooking time. Place in a large pan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil.

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Is spiral or boneless ham better? ›

It really depends on what you like and how many people you're serving! We liked both whole and spiral-cut hams and didn't have a preference for bone-in or boneless.

Which ham is more moist? ›

Bone-In Ham. Another distinction you'll see is between boneless and bone-in hams. A bone-in ham tends to be moist and have a nice, rich flavor that comes from the bone, but carving it can be a bit challenging since you have to work around the bone.

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What is the difference between a leg ham and a shoulder ham? ›

Although shoulder and ham are obtained from the pig, they come from different parts. The pork shoulder is the front leg of the pig. While the ham is the hind leg. The constitution and anatomy of the pig make the ham a larger and meatier piece, while the shoulder is thinner and with a bone that takes up more space.

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Is turkey or ham better for Christmas dinner? ›

Overall, turkey is recommended over ham for nutrition. However, this is based on sodium content. Ham is very high in sodium, but it is rich in zinc, potassium, and iron. Ham has been used for generations to add salt and flavor to other dishes.

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Christmas ham recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best ham to serve for Christmas? ›

What is the tastiest ham in the world? ›

References