A week in the life of a Christmas Ham

Hero hams provide the foundation for Christmas feasting. These glazed and majestic joints are the centrepiece fit for every feast, carved at the table to add to the theatre, and provide the most flexible options for festive dining and snacking. We like to introduce the ham as Christmas Eve’s main attraction, with simple sides to reduce the work, but guarantee the flavour and sense of occasion.

Day 1 Christmas Eve

Our perfect Christmas Eve dinner is a buffet style with the ham at the heart of the meal. Delicious served with:

• Rosemary roast New Potatoes – no peeling, just out in a roasting dish and sprinkle  with good olive oil, rosemary and thyme (preferably fresh but doesn’t need to be), salt and pepper for no- fuss delicious crispy potatoes, or…
• Warm Smashed New Potato Salad – an alternative no fuss seasonal winner. Boil new potatoes, put them in a bowl, roughly smash, drizzle with olive oil, throw in chopped spring onions and generous dollops of wholegrain mustard, salt and pepper and mix in a bowl. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• A couple of large family style salads, an easy feast with minimal preparation. We love Asian slaw Gwyneth’s Korean slaw (recipe below*), it’s a simple, easy and crunchy that is also ideal for Boxing Day. Or a seasonal take on the Waldorf salad with chicory, pear, blue cheese and pecan or walnuts with a wholegrain vinaigrette with cider vinegar and maple syrup), this one by Raymond Blanc is a winner.

Day 2 Christmas Day

Depending on when you feast, the ham can be transformed into a King’s breakfast:

• Continental style buffet of ham, artisan cheeses, cornichons and bread
• Omelette with ham, cheese and chives
• Eggs Benedict with a festive twist, replace bacon with ham

For the ‘other meal’. Is your tradition is to eat at lunchtime and be ready for an afternoon of classic Christmas games or telly? Or do you prefer a lighter lunch and a Christmas Dinner, our delicious ham comes into its own for the ‘other meal’. Perfect served in Ham and mustard sandwiches, elevated Cheese and Ham toasties (try with Twanger Cheese and cranberry sauce) for the ultimate Christmas Toastie. Or sliced and presented with a cheeseboard, baguette, pickles, garnishes and a simple green salad.

Day 3 Boxing Day

We couldn’t do Boxing Day without the ham! Cold cuts of turkey and leftover sausages, stuffing and veg, condiments galore with thick
slices of mouth-watering ham. The only thing we cook on Boxing Day is mashed potatoes. For larger gatherings add a cheeseboard and a 4lb  Hohoho pork pie or 4lb Game Pie.

Day 4 and beyond New Year’s Eve

… the world is your oyster!
See some of our ‘in between’ festive favourites below.

HOT MEALS

• Ham, egg and chips
• Ham and bubble and squeak (perfect way to use up brussels and cabbage)
• Turkey and ham pie
• Ham and leek pie – traditional British favourite
• Ham hock colcannon
• Ham hock soup – using the bone for rich, flavourful stock
• Pasta carbonara – diced ham instead of bacon
• Risotto – adds smoky, salty depth
• Quiche and frittatas – perfect breakfast or brunch addition
• Pea and ham soup – classic winter warmer using leftover meat and bone
• Ham and bean casserole – hearty winter comfort food
• Macaroni cheese – stir through diced ham
• Potato and ham bake – layered gratin-style

SNACKS

• Ham and cheese toasties – elevated comfort food
• Sandwiches and rolls – the ultimate Boxing Day sarnie
• Ploughman’s lunch – with cheese, pickles, and crusty bread
• Ham and potato salad – elevate a classic
• Cold ham platter – with mustards, chutneys, and pickles
• Cheese and charcuterie boards – sliced thin for grazing
• Ham croquettes – minced ham in crispy breadcrumb coating

BREAKFAST & BRUNCH

• Eggs Benedict – ham instead of bacon
• Full English breakfast – thick-cut ham steaks
• Hash – diced with potatoes and vegetables
• Omelettes – filled with ham and cheese
• Breakfast burritos – American-style with scrambled eggs

Christmas Hams: Award-Winning British Hams Delivered for Christmas

Order your Christmas ham today and reserve your preferred delivery date. Don’t miss the deadline—order by 16th December for guaranteed Christmas delivery.

Why we chose Country Victualler for your Christmas feast

We partnered exclusively with Multi Award-Winning Country Victualler for our Christmas ham collection. As Britain’s leading artisan ham producer, Country Victualler creates exceptional hams using traditional curing methods that deliver outstanding flavour and succulence.

Their signature Alderton Ham is our bestselling Christmas ham, finished with a distinctive marmalade glaze that perfectly balances sweet and savoury. Also available are their classic Honey Glazed Ham studded with cloves and the rich Orange & Stout Ham.

Exceptional Quality from Farm to Table

Country Victualler sources premium pork from a trusted local farm just 6 miles away, specialising in traditional breed pigs reared outdoors with space to roam, root, and wallow naturally. This traditional approach, combined with expertly selected cuts with the perfect fat layer, creates ham that’s succulent, flavourful, and reminiscent of traditional British hams just how Christmas should taste.

Each ham is individually cured and cooked using different methods to ensure a unique taste profile, whether you choose the sweet marmalade glaze of the Alderton, the festive warmth of honey and cloves, or the complex richness of orange and stout.

Available as whole hams, half hams, and mini joints to suit any gathering size.

Order your Christmas ham by 16th December.

*Gwyneth Paltrow’s Korean Slaw

2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. lime juice
½ tsp. fish sauce
1 cup shredded Chinese leaf/Napa cabbage
1 cup shredded romaine or lettuce (or another cup of the cabbage)
3 Tbsp. finely diced red onion
3 Tbsp. chopped coriander
2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

Whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, and fish sauce in a large salad bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and combine. Let sit at least 10 minutes but no longer than 6 hours before serving.