🎄 Your Essential Guide to the Perfect Christmas Ham

What kind of ham is used for Christmas?

Choosing the right ham sets the tone for your Christmas feast. Along with choosing between bone-in and boneless, you can also select the hock end or chump end of the leg:

• Hock end: More visually appealing for a centrepiece.

• Chump end: Higher meat-to-bone ratio and easier to slice.

We only sell Australian Hams produced locally. With an emphasiss on using female animals for quality assurance. Our hams are award winning and we insist on using the same brand year on year.

Portioning guide

Plan your serving size based on the crowd you’re feeding:

• Whole leg ham (approx. 7 kg): Serves 18+

• Half leg ham (approx. 4.5 kg): Serves 10–12

• Quarter Ham (approx 3kg): Serves approx 6

Keep the ham refrigerated in its original plastic wrapping until you’re ready to prepare it.

How to prepare Christmas ham

To get your ham ready for glazing, start by placing the ham skin-side up on a sturdy board. Use a small sharp knife to make a shallow cut just under the rind around the shank end, then gently slide your fingers between the skin and the fat. Work slowly, easing the skin back in large sections—your hands will give you more control than the knife and help keep the fat layer intact. Once the rind is fully removed, score the fat in a neat diamond pattern, taking care not to cut into the meat. If you’d prefer to skip this whole process, we sell hams already prepped and ready to glaze. 

 If not glazing, remove the skin and fat and slice as desired.

How to glaze a Christmas ham

For complete convenience, our glazing kits come with everything you need: a premium glaze, a basting brush and the traditional cloves to decorate your Christmas ham.

Or create one from scratch. For a DIY glaze, gently warm ingredients such as brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, cloves and pineapple juice until they combine into a fragrant mixture. You can also experiment with flavours like maple syrup, ginger, orange zest or bourbon.

Use a basting brush to generously coat the ham before baking and continue basting during cooking for a glossy, caramelised finish.

How to cook Christmas ham

Our hams are fully cooked, but baking enhances flavour and texture. And is neccesary if you want a glazed ham to serve

Oven method:

• Preheat to 160–180°C

• Cook for 20–30 minutes per kilogram

• Baste occasionally with your glaze

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part reaches 71°C (avoid the bone for an accurate reading)

• Rest for 15–20 minutes before carving

Slow cooker method:
Cook on low for 6–8 hours for tender, moist results.

Lightly tent the ham with foil while resting to keep it warm.

How to carve a leg of ham

Remove the rind by cutting a straight line beneath it and peeling it away. Make a horizontal cut along the bone, then carve thin vertical slices down toward it. Rotate as needed until you have the amount you want.

What to serve with Christmas ham

Christmas ham pairs beautifully with:

• Roasted vegetables such as potatoes, pumpkin and sweet potato

• Steamed greens like asparagus or green beans

• Fresh salads with mixed leaves, cherry tomatoes and avocado

These sides balance the richness of the ham and create a vibrant festive table.

How long Christmas ham lasts

Storage time depends on whether it is cooked or uncooked:

• Uncooked: Refrigerate for 1–2 weeks or freeze up to 6 months

• Cooked: Refrigerate for around 2 weeks or freeze for 1–2 months

How to store Christmas ham

Proper storage keeps your ham fresh and flavourful.

In the freezer:
Wrap the ham tightly in plastic wrap or foil to prevent freezer burn.

In the fridge:
Use airtight containers or a ham bag to stop the meat drying out or absorbing odours.

Using a ham bag

A ham bag helps maintain moisture and prolong freshness.

1. Wash the ham bag before use.

2. Mix 2 cups of cold water with 1 tablespoon of vinegar.

3. Soak the bag, wring it out, and place the ham inside.

4. Store in the coldest part of your fridge.

5. Re-soak the bag every three days in a fresh solution.

If you don’t have a ham bag, a clean tea towel works as an alternative.

What to do with leftover Christmas Ham

Leftover ham can be used in countless ways: sandwiches, salads, quiches, omelettes, pasta dishes, fried rice, soups or even ham-stuffed potatoes and mac ’n’ cheese bakes. Its versatility means no leftovers need go to waste.

What is the best Australian ham for Christmas?

Nothing beats a fresh, well-prepared Christmas leg ham from a skilled butcher. 
We sell premium award winning Hams ready to impress with minimal hassle