James Martin Slow Cooked Ham​

This James Martin slow cooked ham is wonderfully tender, juicy, and packed with rich savoury flavour. The slow cooking process ensures the meat stays moist while absorbing the aromatic spices, followed by a sticky, caramelised glaze. It’s an easy, reliable recipe that looks impressive with minimal effort. Allow around 3 to 4 hours in total, making it perfect for a relaxed weekend cook.

Ingredients

For the ham

• 1.8–2.5kg gammon joint
• 1 onion, halved
• 1 carrot, roughly chopped
• 1 celery stick, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 10 black peppercorns
• 1 tsp cloves

For the glaze

• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

How to Make James Martin Slow Cooked Ham

• Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C fan. Place a shelf in the middle of the oven so the ham cooks evenly and the glaze caramelises beautifully.
• Simmer the ham: Place the gammon joint in a large pot. Add the onion, carrot, celery, bay leaves, peppercorns, and cloves. Cover with water, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 2 to 2½ hours.
• Prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, mix together the honey, wholegrain mustard, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
• Remove and score: Take the ham out of the pot and allow it to cool slightly. Remove the skin, leaving a thin layer of fat. Score the fat in a diamond pattern.
• Glaze the ham: Place the ham in a roasting tin and brush generously with the glaze, making sure it gets into the scored lines.
• Roast: Bake in the oven for 25 to 35 minutes, basting occasionally, until the glaze is sticky and golden.
• Rest and slice: Remove from the oven and let the ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

How do I keep the ham moist?

Simmer gently rather than boiling rapidly, and avoid overcooking. Letting the ham rest before slicing also helps retain juices.

Can I make the glaze richer?

Add a splash of orange juice or a pinch of ground cinnamon for a deeper, festive flavour.

How do I get a perfect caramelised finish?

Baste the ham once or twice during roasting and ensure the oven is fully preheated before glazing.

Do I need to soak the gammon first?

If your gammon is particularly salty, soak it in cold water for a few hours or overnight before cooking.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with buttery mashed potatoes and greens
• Pair with roasted vegetables and gravy
• Slice cold for sandwiches or salads
• Add to a festive buffet spread

Storage

At room temperature

Do not leave cooked ham out for more than 2 hours.

In the refrigerator

Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Slice as needed to keep it fresh.

In the freezer

Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before use.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Sodium: 1200mg

Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on ingredients used.

FAQs

James Martin Slow Cooked Ham

Recipe by Milli RoseCourse: MainCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Tender slow cooked ham simmered with aromatics and finished with a sticky honey mustard glaze. Perfect for family meals or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 1.8–2.5kg gammon joint

• 1 onion, halved

• 1 carrot, chopped

• 1 celery stick, chopped

• 2 bay leaves

• 10 black peppercorns

• 1 tsp cloves

• 3 tbsp honey

• 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard

• 2 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Directions

• Simmer gammon with vegetables and spices for 2 to 2½ hours.
• Mix glaze ingredients together.
• Remove skin and score fat.
• Brush with glaze and place in roasting tin.
• Roast for 25 to 35 minutes until golden.
• Rest, slice, and serve.

Notes

• Simmer gently to keep the ham tender.
• Baste during roasting for best glaze.
• Leftovers keep well and are versatile.