This Hairy Bikers Christmas Ham Recipe is a festive and flavorful dish, which uses a boneless gammon joint and a sticky honey mustard glaze. It’s a great choice for holiday parties, ready in about 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Jump to RecipeHairy Bikers Christmas Ham Recipe Ingredients
- 2.3 kg (5.1 lb) gammon joint, unsmoked and boneless
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 sprig of rosemary
- Whole cloves, for studding
For the Honey Mustard Glaze:
- 5 tbsp clear runny honey
- 5 tbsp English mustard

How To Make Hairy Bikers Christmas Ham Recipe
- Boil the gammon: Place the gammon joint in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add bay leaves and rosemary. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Prep for roasting: Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Remove gammon from the pot and place on a foil-lined roasting tray. While still warm, remove the skin, leaving a thick layer of fat.
- Score the fat: Use a sharp knife to score the fat in a criss-cross diamond pattern, taking care not to cut into the meat.
- Make the glaze: Mix honey and English mustard in a small bowl until smooth.
- Glaze and roast: Brush the glaze evenly over the scored fat. Press a whole clove into the center of each diamond. Roast for 30 minutes until the glaze is golden and sticky.
- Rest and serve: Let the ham rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing into thick, juicy slices.

Recipe Tips
- Do I need to soak the gammon first? If it’s unsmoked and not too salty, soaking usually isn’t necessary.
- Can I use smoked gammon? Yes, but it will have a stronger, saltier flavor—adjust seasonings accordingly.
- How do I keep the ham moist? Simmering before roasting keeps it tender and juicy.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, cook and glaze the ham a day ahead and gently reheat before serving.
- What if I don’t have cloves? You can skip them or use a pinch of ground cloves in the glaze for similar flavor.
What To Serve With Christmas Ham
This glazed ham pairs beautifully with festive sides like:
- Roasted or mashed potatoes
- Braised red cabbage
- Honey-glazed carrots
- Green beans almondine
- Stuffing or dressing

How To Store Christmas Ham
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Freeze sliced ham in airtight containers or bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Christmas Ham Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 323 kcal
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 1,200mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 14g
- Protein: 25g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use a spiral-cut ham for this recipe?
Yes, just be gentle when glazing and reduce oven time slightly.
Is English mustard very spicy?
It’s stronger than Dijon—use less if you prefer a milder taste.
Can I use another glaze?
Yes, try maple syrup, brown sugar, or marmalade for variation.
How long should I rest the ham?
Rest at least 10 minutes, but up to 40 minutes is ideal for juicier meat.
Can I serve this ham cold?
Absolutely—it’s delicious both hot and cold.
Try More Recipes:
- Hairy Bikers Chicken Soup Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Cheese Potato Pie Recipe
- Hairy Bikers American Meatloaf Recipe
Hairy Bikers Christmas Ham Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: British4
servings10
minutes2
hours323
kcalA festive glazed ham with honey and mustard, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
2.3kg gammon joint, unsmoked
2 bay leaves
1 rosemary sprig
Whole cloves (for studding)
5 tbsp honey
5 tbsp English mustard
Directions
- Simmer gammon with bay and rosemary for 90 mins.
- Preheat oven to 200°C. Remove skin, score fat.
- Mix honey and mustard, glaze ham. Add cloves.
- Roast for 30 mins until caramelized.
- Rest 10–40 mins, then carve and serve.
