If you don’t want to serve turkey for Christmas, this honey-glazed ham from Gordon Ramsay can be in a party buffet.
You can make this honey-glazed ham by Gordon Ramsay ahead of time, and you can eat the leftovers for days after your main meal.
This honey-glazed ham is a tasty treat that goes well with roast potatoes and vegetables when served hot or sliced for sandwiches when it’s cool. You could also shred it and use it as a pie filling, or you could put it on a platter with your favorite cheeses and other cold cuts.
Anyone can cook this ham at any time of the year. In the summer, it tastes great with slaw and salads. We also like to enjoy it with chips and a side of fried eggs for dipping.
Christmas dinner just wouldn’t be complete without a juicy, glazed ham as the centerpiece. This classic holiday meat can seem intimidating to prepare, but with a few tips from culinary superstar Gordon Ramsay you can have a beautifully cooked ham worthy of any festive feast.
In this article, we’ll walk through Ramsay’s step-by-step method for making a honey glazed Christmas ham. With his guidance, you’ll learn how long to cook the ham for optimal flavor and tenderness, how to infuse it with aromatic spices, the secret to getting a beautifully burnished exterior, and more expert tips for holiday ham success. Read on for everything you need to know to cook a showstopping ham like a pro chef this Christmas.
Step 1: Start with a Good Quality Boneless Ham
The first key step is selecting the right ham. Ramsay calls for using a 3kg boneless, unsmoked gammon joint. Gammon is simply another term for an uncured ham, meaning it hasn’t been smoked or salted yet. Choose a joint that has some nice marbling, as this fat will keep the meat deliciously moist during cooking. Stay away from lean, very pale hams for this recipe.
Make sure your gammon is completely boneless as this allows the ham to cook more evenly. Bones conduct heat more aggressively often leading to overcooked meat around the bone. A boneless cut helps prevent this.
Aim for a joint that’s around 3kg to serve 8-10 people. You can go slightly smaller or larger depending on your guest list. Just keep in mind a larger, thicker joint may need a bit more roasting time.
Step 2: Soak the Ham Overnight
Before cooking, the ham needs a good long soak. Place it in a large pot and cover completely with cold water. Let it soak in the fridge overnight or for at least 8 hours. This draws out some of the salt and impurities from the meat, ensuring it won’t be overly salty.
If you’re short on time, you can get away with a 4-6 hour soak. But for the best flavor and texture, that full overnight soak is ideal.
Step 3: Simmer with Aromatics for Maximum Flavor
The next morning, drain the ham, place it back in the pot, and cover with fresh cold water. Add chopped carrots, leek, onion, peppercorns, coriander seeds, cinnamon, bay leaves and let simmer for around 3 hours.
This long, gentle simmer infuses incredible flavor into the meat. The vegetables, spices, and herbs all impart nuanced aromas and perfectly season the ham from within.
Skim off any froth or impurities that rise to the top periodically and top up with more boiling water as needed to keep the ham fully submerged.
Step 4: Cool and Glaze the Ham
Once cooked, remove the ham from the stock and let it cool slightly. Strain and reserve the stock for soup bases or other uses – don’t throw this flavorful ham broth away!
Next, make a sweet and sticky glaze. Ramsay uses demerara sugar, Madeira wine, sherry vinegar, and honey heated together into a glossy syrup.
Brush half the glaze over the ham, place in a 350°F oven and roast 15 minutes. Glaze again with the remainder, then roast 25-35 more minutes until beautifully caramelized on the outside.
Baste frequently with the pan juices for an irresistibly shiny, lacquered exterior. Turning the pan as you baste helps the ham color evenly.
Let rest 15 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute. Then carve and serve this stellar ham!
Handy Tips for Ham Success
Here are some extra pointers from Chef Ramsay for cooking your holiday ham like a pro:
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For optimal flavor, cook the ham on the same day you plan to serve it. The glaze particularly benefits from being freshly caramelized.
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Leftover ham keeps for up to 2 days refrigerated. Use it in dishes like pea soup, pasta carbonara, omelets, fried rice, sandwiches, and more.
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Don’t discard the ham stock! Freeze it in batches to use as a base for soups, stews, and sauces.
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Score the fat in a diamond pattern before glazing. This allows the glaze to seep into the meat for added flavor.
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Use a baking sheet underneath to catch any drips while roasting. This prevents smoking and makes cleanup easier.
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If reheating glazed ham, do so gently and add a splash of water to prevent drying out.
Get Festive with Ramsay’s Christmas Ham
With these expert tips from Gordon Ramsay, you can serve a holiday ham that looks and tastes like it came straight from a 5-star restaurant kitchen. Spend a bit of time prepping the ham the day before, then simply pop it in the oven on Christmas day for a fuss-free, flavorful centerpiece. Your guests will be thoroughly impressed by your cooking skills.
For more wow-worthy Christmas recipes, check out Ramsay’s cookbook “Christmas with Gordon”. With 100+ pages of his favorite holiday dishes, it’s a must-have for seasonal inspiration.
Wishing you and yours a very happy and delicious holiday season. May your Christmas dinner be merry, bright, and filled with Ramsay-approved ham!
How does Gordon Ramsay make honey glazed ham?
You can use this recipe to make a glazed ham, which Gordon does. It has become very popular over the years. His glaze is made from a combination of sugar, Madeira wine, sherry vinegar, and honey.
He first boils the ham with a mix of herbs and spices, but you can change this to your liking. Because of this, you can use star anise instead of cinnamon, and if you want, you can add coriander stalks or thyme sprigs to the liquid.
If you want to serve the ham hot, you should boil it the day before and roast it the day of. If you want to serve it cold, you can cook and bake it two days ahead of time.
What can I use instead of honey for a ham glaze?
You can swap for maple syrup if you prefer the taste. It will have a looser consistency but will still create a lovely sticky, sweet glaze.
CHRISTMAS RECIPE: Honey Glazed Ham With Pear & Saffron Chutney
FAQ
Should Christmas ham be cooked?
How to cook a ham Gordon Ramsay?
How does Martha Stewart bake a ham?
Does Gordon Ramsay make honey glazed ham?
Discover this amazing Gordon Makes His Famous Honey Glazed Ham | Gordon Ramsay’s Ultimate Christmas recipe with step-by-step instructions, cooking method, preparation time and full ingredients list.
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
Are glazed hams good for Christmas?
A lovely glazed ham is a great staple over Christmas, not least because it’s also delicious cold with Gordon’s pear and saffron chutney. Try the recipe today.
How does Gordon Ramsay prepare Gammon?
Gordon Ramsay prepares fresh gammon with a honey glaze and a homemade pear and saffron chutney. Show more Gordon Ramsay prepares fresh gammon with a honey glaze and a homemade pear and saffron chutney.