This slow cooker pickled pork cooks to be incredibly tender and loaded with flavor. It goes great with some gravy and vegetables.
The pickled pork will have a slight saltiness to it and is incredibly flavorsome. It will be so tender it will almost melt in your mouth. The pork is great as a main dish, but it also tastes great on its own in a sandwich.
You should be able to feed roughly six people without needing to adjust the recipe. I really think you should make some side dishes to go with the pork, especially if you want to feed a lot of people.
Another dish that is very similar to pickled pork is corned beef. You can also cook that in the slow cooker with roughly the same ingredients.
The leftover meat is perfect for so many different dishes. For example, I love to have it in sandwiches. The leftovers should last for roughly three days in the fridge or three months in the freezer. There is a slight risk of the meat drying out in the freezer.
If you’ve ever perused a deli counter or skimmed a holiday cooking magazine from the UK, you may have come across a cured pork product called “gammon.” This traditional British meat features prominently in dishes like gammon and pineapple, but leaves many Americans scratching their heads. Is gammon just a fancier name for our familiar sliced deli favorite, pickled pork? Or are they totally different cured pork products? Let’s unravel the mystery of this lesser-known cured meat and see how it compares to pickled pork.
What is Gammon Exactly?
Gammon refers to the hind leg of a pig that has been cured, smoked, and sometimes cooked It derives its name from the Old Northern French word “gambe” meaning leg Here are some key facts about gammon
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Comes from the hind leg of the pig usually from the thigh or rump areas.
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Is cured with salt, spices, and sometimes sodium nitrite.
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May be smoked or remain unsmoked.
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Ranges in color from pink to mahogany brown.
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Is often sold cooked, but can be sold uncooked.
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Has a distinctive salty, smoky, umami-rich flavor when sliced.
Gammon is related to ham, which also comes from a pig’s hind leg, but gammon is cured differently, smoked at a lower temperature, and seasoned uniquely giving it a distinct flavor profile.
And What About Pickled Pork?
Pickled pork refers to pork that has been cured and preserved in a vinegar-based brine liquid. Here’s an overview:
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Made from pork shoulder, loin, or other cuts.
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Cured in a pickling brine with vinegar, salt, spices, and sometimes sodium nitrite.
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Texture can be similar to deli ham.
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Color varies from pink to mahogany brown.
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Sold pre-sliced or in small pieces.
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Delivers a tangy, vinegar-forward flavor.
So pickled pork undergoes a brining process while gammon curing is based more on dry spices and smoking. With this understanding of their distinct production methods, are they really the same thing?
The Answer: Gammon and Pickled Pork Are Different
While both are cured and seasoned pork products, gammon and pickled pork differ significantly:
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Parts of the pig used: Gammon comes from the hind leg only while pickled pork uses shoulder, loin, or other cuts.
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Curing process: Pickled pork relies on an immersion brine technique while gammon employs a dry curing or rub process.
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Flavor profiles: Gammon has a deeper, smokier flavor from curing while pickled pork offers brighter, vinegary notes.
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Usages: Gammon is often served hot as a main while pickled pork plays the role of a cold cut or sandwich meat.
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Geographic roots: Gammon is traditionally British; pickled pork is more loved across America.
How to Enjoy Gammon and Pickled Pork
Now that you understand the key differences between gammon and pickled pork, here are some tips for savoring these timeless cured meats:
Gammon
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Enjoy in dishes like gammon steak with fried eggs or the classic gammon and pineapple.
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Pair with mustard, horseradish, or pickles to balance the salty richness.
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Sear quickly over high heat then roast until just cooked through.
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Opt for smoked or unsmoked based on preference.
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Slice thickly and serve at room temperature.
Pickled Pork
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Serve on sandwiches, in tacos, or as a pizza topping.
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Mix into potato, egg, or pasta salad recipes.
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Fry up cubes for a protein-packed breakfast hash.
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Bake into casseroles and soups to add flavor.
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Look for reduced sodium options to limit salt content.
Though they hail from different culinary traditions, both gammon and pickled pork can add a savory, salty bite to dishes when used thoughtfully. Next time you come across these cured pork products, you’ll understand exactly how they differ.
Slow Cooker Pickled Pork Recipe5/5 (100%) 1 vote
- 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) pickled pork
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 1 carrot, roughly chopped
- 14 peppercorns
- 8 cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup malt vinegar
- Enough water to cover
- In a slow cooker, put the carrot, onion, bay leaves, cloves, peppercorns, brown sugar, and malt vinegar.
- Add the pickled pork.
- Top with water until the pork is submerged.
- Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Remove the pork and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Discard the poaching liquid.
- Serve & Enjoy.
- Sometimes malt vinegar has gluten in it, so use apple cider vinegar instead of malt vinegar to make this gluten-free.
- Based on where you live, pickled pork may also be known as salted pork or gammon.
- If you need this dish faster, set the slow cooker to high and cook it for only four hours.
Note: I use a 5. 5L (6 Quart) slow cooker for all the recipes that I have on this website unless specified. If you have a smaller or larger slow cooker, then you might need to adjust the ingredients.
The information above is an estimate generated by an online nutrition calculator.
Pickled Pork Serving Ideas
There is plenty of food that will go great with the pickled pork. Below are just a couple of ideas on what you can do.
My favorite combination of side dishes to go with this pork is roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables, and cauliflower cheese. They are delicious and match very nicely with the flavors of the pork.
There are quite a few side dishes that you can make in a spare slow cooker. For example, some cheesy potatoes will work very nicely with this dish. It is one of my favorite side dishes.
If you’re cooking for a lot of people, you might want to use a slow cooker to make mashed potatoes. It is a great way to make a lot of food without much effort. It also goes great with the pork and some delicious gravy.
Be sure to share your serving ideas in the comments section towards the bottom of this page.
You can add some vegetables in with the pork and poaching liquid. However, I would not recommend it as the vegetables will take on a lot of the vinegar flavor. Instead, I recommend cooking them in a separate slow cooker or in an oven.
I suggest letting the meat rest for fifteen minutes. This will make it easier to cut the pork. That way, the meat won’t fall apart as quickly, and you can get it done faster.
Pickled pork might be called something else depending on where you live. What we call it in the US is salted pork, and what we call it in the UK is Gammon.
For a bit of extra flavor, you can substitute the water with some chicken stock instead. However, water will work perfectly fine.
If you want to know how to make this tasty pickled pork in the slow cooker, watch the video below. Alternatively, there is a full written recipe immediately beneath the video.
Pickled Pork. How to Cure and Pickle Pork / Ham – Easy Home Made Pickled Pork
FAQ
Is gammon like pickled pork?
What is gammon called in the USA?
What is the difference between gammon and pork?
What is a good substitute for gammon?
What is the difference between pork and Gammon?
1. The key difference between pork and gammon is that pork refers to all cuts of pig meat, while gammon specifically refers to the cured hind leg of the pig. 2. Pork is the most widely consumed red meat globally and is enjoyed in various forms such as smoked pork, ham, bacon, and sausages. 3.
Are Gammon and Ham the same?
While gammon and ham are both cuts of pork, they are not exactly the same. Gammon is the hind leg of the pig that has been cured and often smoked, whereas ham comes from the hind leg of the pig that has been cured, smoked, or dried. Both gammon and ham are delicious and versatile, but they each have their own unique flavor and texture.
What is Gammon meat?
Gammon meat is a type of pork that comes from the hind leg of a pig. It is a popular choice for many people because it is flavorful, versatile, and easy to cook. Gammon meat is known for its rich, smoky flavor and juicy texture, making it a great option for a variety of dishes.
Is Gammon the same as bacon?
Gammon is a delicious cut of pork, made from the hind legs of a pig. It’s cured in the same way as bacon, by dry-salting or brining, and also like bacon, you can get smoked or unsmoked varieties. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What’s the Difference Between Gammon & Ham?