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How to cook a gammon joint
Our gammon recipe is so easy and perfect for any time of year...
- 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
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)
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)
Bring to the boil slowly and simmer for 25 minutes per 500g
Skim off any scum that comes to the surface as it is cooking
Then leave to cool for a few minutes before lifting out
Carefully peel off skin (without removing the fat) and cover with a glaze of demerara sugar and french mustard
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:
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
Guest
★★★★★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
★★★★★Looks a great recipe, will use this over the Christmas period.
Reviewed on 11/11/15
Guest
★★★★★will be trying this for xmas
Reviewed on 11/11/15
Guest
★★★★★Turned out perfect... thanks!
Reviewed on 01/11/15
christine b(172)
★★★★★Great with Pease pudding and veggies :-)
Reviewed on 31/10/15
Guest
★★★★★Served with cabbage and new potatoes, Yummy :)
Reviewed on 15/04/15
Guest
★★★★★Amazing
Reviewed on 08/04/15
Guest
★★★★★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)
★★★★★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
Guest
★★★★★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
★★★★★I am going to try this recipe out with the coke idea. It sounds great
Reviewed on 13/02/15
Guest
★★★★★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
★★★★☆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
★★★★★I love this recipe, it is spot on and tastes delicious
Reviewed on 02/02/15
kerry v
★★★★★Lovely. We had this on Boxing Day.
Reviewed on 27/01/15
Lucy H(258)
★★★★☆This was totally delish and really easy. My family gobbled it up :)
Reviewed on 22/01/15
Lucy H(258)
★★★★☆This was totally delish and really easy. My family gobbled it up :)
Reviewed on 22/01/15
Guest
★★★★★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