Dinner

Peppercorn & Honey Glazed Smoked Gammon Recipe

ByNoah Steele February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

Introduction

This Peppercorn & Honey Ham is a beautifully glazed, smoked gammon joint that combines sweet honey and a mix of peppercorns for a rich, flavorful finish. Perfect for a special meal, it’s simmered slowly to tender perfection before roasting with a glossy, spiced honey glaze.

A large piece of glazed ham sits on a white round plate, sliced to reveal its pinkish, tender inside and caramelized brown outside coated with black pepper and shiny glaze. Below the thick main piece, two thin slices are laid flat, showing a smooth texture and a darker edge. To the side of the ham, a grilled half orange with char marks and bright orange color adds contrast. Green bay leaves peep out from beneath the ham, adding a touch of natural green. A gold-toned fork with a black handle rests beside the slices. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface, around which sparkly gold and silver star-shaped decorations lie scattered for a festive feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2kg tied, smoked gammon joint
2 onions, unpeeled, halved

2 bay leaves
2 thyme sprigs

2 rosemary sprigs
2 celery sticks, roughly chopped

2 carrots, roughly chopped
1 tbsp black peppercorns
1 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns

½ tbsp black peppercorns (for glaze)
½ tbsp Sichuan peppercorns (for glaze)
1 tsp pink peppercorns (for glaze)

100ml runny honey

Instructions

Step 1: Place the gammon, onions, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, celery, carrots, 1 tbsp black peppercorns, and 1 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns into your largest, deepest pot. Cover completely with cold water and bring to the boil. Immediately reduce to a simmer, cover loosely with the lid slightly ajar, and cook for 1 hour.
Step 2: After simmering, turn off the heat and leave the gammon in the liquid for an additional 40 minutes with the lid on.

Step 3: Remove the gammon from the stock and set aside to cool slightly. Keep the stock and freeze it to use as a flavorful base for soups.
Step 4: While the gammon cools, toast ½ tbsp black peppercorns, ½ tbsp Sichuan peppercorns, and 1 tsp pink peppercorns in a small saucepan over medium heat until fragrant. Grind them coarsely using a pestle and mortar, avoiding large chunks. Mix the ground peppercorns with the honey in a small bowl to create the glaze.
Step 5: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6. Line a roasting tin with foil large enough to hold the gammon comfortably.

Step 6: Peel back and discard the gammon’s skin once it has cooled slightly, then score the thick layer of fat. Place the gammon in the lined roasting tin and brush half the honey glaze all over, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies.
Step 7: Roast the gammon for 25 minutes, glazing halfway through with the remaining glaze. Reserve a little glaze to brush on immediately after roasting for a shiny finish.

Tips & Variations

Use the leftover stock to make a delicious soup or stew, adding extra vegetables and herbs.

If you prefer less spice, reduce the Sichuan peppercorns in the glaze or substitute with black peppercorns only.
For a more intense flavor, marinate the gammon in the glaze overnight before cooking.

Storage

Store any leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave to retain moisture and flavor. The cooking stock can be frozen for up to 3 months and used for soups or sauces.

How to Serve

The image shows a large, thick half of roasted ham with a shiny, caramelized brown outer layer covered in small black pepper specks on top, resting mostly upright on a white plate. Below and slightly to the front, there are two slices of ham with a smooth, soft pink texture. To the left of the ham, there is a grilled orange slice with char marks, and some green bay leaves are placed around the ham, adding color contrast. A metal fork with a light wooden handle rests on the plate to the right, partly on one ham slice. The white plate sits on a white marbled surface scattered with various small gold and silver star shapes for decoration. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of ham for this recipe?

Yes, a smoked ham or gammon joint of similar size works well. Make sure it is tied and suitable for boiling and roasting as instructed.

What if I don’t have a pestle and mortar for grinding peppercorns?

You can use a spice grinder, a clean coffee grinder, or place the peppercorns in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin to achieve a coarse grind.