How to Cook Gammon Steak

Gammon steak is one of those simple, underrated meals that does not need much messing about. Cook it properly and you get a salty, savoury, meaty steak that works brilliantly with egg, chips, pineapple, peas, mash, parsley sauce, or whatever else you fancy.

The good news is that learning how to cook gammon steak is very straightforward. You can pan-fry it, grill it, oven cook it, or even barbecue it. The main thing is not to overcook it, because gammon steak is usually quite lean and can dry out if you leave it too long.

This guide covers the main cooking methods, timings, serving ideas, and a few tips to help you get it right.

What is gammon steak?

Gammon steak is a thick slice of cured pork, usually cut from a gammon horseshoe joint. It has that familiar salty, savoury gammon flavour and is often served as a quick meal rather than a full roasting joint.

Unlike a gammon joint, which needs longer cooking, gammon steaks are cut thin enough to cook quickly. That makes them ideal for easy dinners, breakfasts, pub-style meals and quick midweek cooking.

Gammon steak is often served with fried egg or pineapple, but it also works well with chips, mash, vegetables, salad, mustard, parsley sauce or gravy.

Do you need to soak gammon steak before cooking?

Most modern gammon steaks do not need soaking before cooking.

Gammon is cured, so it naturally has a salty flavour, but modern curing is usually controlled enough that soaking is not necessary. If you know you prefer a milder flavour, you can soak gammon steaks in cold water for around 30 minutes, then pat them dry before cooking.

For most people, though, you can cook them straight from the pack.

How to pan-fry gammon steak

Pan-frying is one of the easiest ways to cook gammon steak. It gives you good colour on the outside and keeps the cooking quick.

1. Remove the gammon steak from the packaging and pat it dry with kitchen paper.
2. Heat a frying pan over a medium heat.
3. Add a small amount of oil or a little butter if needed.
4. Place the gammon steak in the pan.
5. Cook for around 3 to 4 minutes on each side, depending on thickness.
6. Check it is piping hot throughout before serving.
7. Rest for a minute or two before serving if you like.

Do not have the pan too fierce. You want colour, but you do not want to burn the outside before the middle is hot.

How to grill gammon steak

Grilling is another classic method and works well if you want a slightly charred finish.

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high.
2. Place the gammon steak on a grill tray.
3. Grill for around 4 to 5 minutes on each side, depending on thickness.
4. Turn once during cooking.
5. Check the gammon is piping hot throughout before serving.

If the gammon steak has a fat edge, you can snip it slightly before grilling to help stop it curling up.

How to cook gammon steak in the oven

You can oven cook gammon steak, especially if you are cooking several at once.

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6.
2. Place the gammon steaks on a baking tray.
3. Brush lightly with oil or a glaze if using.
4. Cook for around 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through.
5. Check they are piping hot throughout before serving.

Oven cooking is handy if you are cooking for a few people, but pan-frying or grilling usually gives better colour.

Gammon steak cooking times

Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the steak, but these are good general guides.

Whichever method you use, gammon steak should be cooked through and piping hot before serving.

Can you BBQ gammon steak?

Yes, gammon steak works well on the BBQ.

Cook over medium direct heat for around 3 to 5 minutes on each side, depending on thickness. You want a little colour and char, but not so much heat that the outside catches before the middle is cooked.

A light glaze can work well on BBQ gammon steak, but add sugary glazes near the end so they do not burn.

Should you glaze gammon steak?

You do not have to glaze gammon steak, but it can be very good.

Gammon works well with sweet and sharp flavours, so simple glazes like honey and mustard, brown sugar and mustard, maple syrup, marmalade or pineapple juice can all work nicely.

Brush the glaze on towards the end of cooking so it warms through and becomes sticky without burning.

What to serve with gammon steak

The classic gammon steak sides are egg, chips, pineapple, peas and tomatoes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

You can also serve gammon steak with:

• Mash and parsley sauce
• Fried egg and chips
• Grilled pineapple
• Roast potatoes and vegetables
• Peas, carrots or sweetcorn
• Mustard or brown sauce
• Salad and new potatoes
• Macaroni cheese

If you enjoy gammon recipes, you may also like our how to cook gammon guide, or our slow cooker gammon in Coke recipe.

How to stop gammon steak curling

Gammon steak can curl as it cooks, especially if it has a fat edge.

To help prevent this, snip the fat edge in a few places before cooking. Do not cut deep into the meat; just make small cuts through the fat. This helps the steak stay flatter in the pan or under the grill.

FAQs about how to cook gammon steak

How long do you cook gammon steak for?

As a guide, pan-fry gammon steak for around 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or grill for around 4 to 5 minutes on each side, depending on thickness.

Can you fry gammon steak?

Yes, gammon steak can be fried. Cook it in a frying pan over a medium heat for around 3 to 4 minutes on each side until piping hot throughout.

Can you cook gammon steak in the oven?

Yes, place gammon steaks on a baking tray and cook at 200°C, 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6 for around 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through.

Do you need oil to cook gammon steak?

You only need a small amount of oil or butter, especially if pan-frying. Gammon steak does not need to be cooked in lots of fat.

Should gammon steak be pink?

Gammon steak should be cooked through and piping hot before serving. Follow the cooking times as a guide and check the thickest part before eating.

What is the best way to cook gammon steak?

Pan-frying or grilling are usually the best methods because they are quick and give good colour. Oven cooking works well if you are cooking several gammon steaks at once.