What Is Gammon Steak?

what is gammon steak

Curious about Gammon steak? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

In this post, we answer, what is Gammon steak? To help you and others understand more about this meat.

In a nutshell, Gammon steak is a cut of lean, salted, and cured ham. This means that it can also be referred to as a “ham steak.”

Gammon steaks are usually found in the refrigerator sections of grocery stores next to ham slices and bacon.

One gammon steak is generally around one pound in weight and is made from a leg of pork.

It is generally cooked in the same way as ham, but to be safe, you should always cook gammon steaks until they are golden brown and slightly crunchy on the outside.

Let’s take a closer look…

Is Gammon Steak The Same As Bacon?

Gammon steak and bacon are not the same.

Unlike bacon, gammon steak is not cured in a form of brine or dry salt.

Bacon can be cut from any part of a pig, but gammon steak is only made from the back leg meat of a pig.

In some countries, gammon steaks may also be referred to as ham steaks instead of the word gammon.

It’s easy to see why people presume that Gammon steak is bacon but I assure you it is not.

How Is Gammon Steak Best Cooked?

When it comes to cooking Gammon steak, it’s best to grill it.

Cooking Gammon steak in an oven is not recommended as the steaks tend to shrink and dry out quickly.

You can also cook gammon steak by frying, but this method will result in a slightly tougher and saltier version of the meat.

It usually takes around 25 – 30 minutes to grill Gammon steak, depending on the doneness that you prefer.

Cooking Gammon steak is best done over medium heat to avoid burning the outside of the steak before it is cooked through.

It is important not to overcook Gammon steaks as this results in a dry and tough piece of meat.

Cooking Tip: One way you can ensure that your Gammon steak comes out tender and moist every time is by basting them in a sauce during the cooking process.

A well-known sauce that works particularly well with Gammon steak is honey mustard, so try brushing it over your steaks during the last few minutes of cooking time.

You can also add a little bit of oil to the barbecue to prevent the meat from sticking and this will ensure that you have a crisp caramelized Gammon steak that you’ll love every bite of.

How Is Gammon Steak Best Served?

Serving Gammon steak is a great choice if you want to add a little variety to your meal planning.

You can serve it with an array of different side dishes and it works well in any kind of meal.

This means you can serve it with salad, potatoes, sauteed vegetables or rice for entree.

However, Gammon steak is also delicious served hot or cold, so it’s a versatile choice.

This means that you can serve it alongside a sandwich for lunch the next day if you don’t have any other leftovers to use up.

How Is Gammon Steak Prepared?

Preparing Gammon steak doesn’t take much work at all, it’s really quick to do.

Simply ensure that you have the tools needed to slice through it and then follow these instructions:

First of all, score the skin by slicing a criss-cross pattern into it with a sharp knife or kitchen scissors.

Then place it on the hob of your stovetop and turn up the heat for around 10 minutes so that you can heat up and cook through the meat.

Next, you should use a marinade so that the gammon steak takes on a delicious flavor.

You can marinate it for as long as you want, but don’t leave it in the marinade any longer than overnight or else the meat will lose a lot of its natural juices and start to taste a little bit off.

Finally, cut your gammon into smaller chunks and transfer them into a pan.

Mix in your favorite vegetables such as onion, mushrooms, and tomatoes with some cooking oil or butter, and then fry everything together on high heat for around 10 minutes.

Ensure you season the Gammon steak as you wish and then whalla! Throw that bad boy in the grill or pan and you’re good to go!

Is Gammon Steak Expensive?

The price of Gammon steak is on the more expensive side of meats, similar to beef and lamb.

One thing you can do is purchase primal cuts such as a rump or butt, which are often less than half price as opposed to buying it as individual pieces.

The average price of a Gammon steak in the US is $2.58 per ounce or around $11 for a pound (16 ounces) of meat.

It’s best to purchase this kind of steak when it’s on sale to ensure you’re getting the best price!

Where Is Gammon Steak Commonly Found?

Gammon steak is eaten and found in many places across the world.

It is especially popular in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

The gammon steak’s origins are not entirely clear but many people think that they come from early Roman times when meat was salted before cooking.

As with any food product it can be found at almost every butcher shop or supermarket around the world, meaning it’s an easy steak to get your hands on.

What Is The Nutritional Value Of Gammon Steak?

Gammon steak is high in protein, which means it keeps you full for longer and that can reduce your snacking habits too.

It’s low in fat, which makes it healthier than other types of meat like bacon. It also has Omega-3 fatty acids which is an essential fatty acid that our bodies can’t produce.

Gammon steak does contain some cholesterol, but that’s nothing to worry about as you need it for your body to function properly.

See below the nutritional value of 100g of Gammon Steak:

  • Calories = 133
  • Fat = 6.9g
  • Saturates = 2.6g
  • Carbohydrates = 0.1g
  • Sugars = 0.1g
  • Fibre = 0
  • Protein = 17.6g
  • Salt = 2.5g

As you can see, the breakdown of Gammon steak is pretty good.

It has high protein content, low amounts of saturated fats, and no sugar to speak of.

Other types of ham will have more fat, salt, and sugars to give them flavor.

Gammon steak is very versatile as it can be used in similar dishes that you would use bacon for like salads, pasta or grills.

You could even decide to use it as a side dish to vegetables or some boiled egg.

Gammon steak is very low in fat and had high protein content, some people may find that they are not getting enough protein in their diet, so some kinds of ham can be good for this reason.

Other Considerations

It’s worth keeping in mind that Gammon steak is naturally high in sodium, so if you are watching your salts intake you may want to consider this when buying.

Also, note that there does not seem to be any strong antioxidant effects associated with the consumption of ham or gammon.

Gammon steak is a great option for those on a low-calorie diet and also for those who want to eat more protein, but it’s important to track your intake of sodium and remember that it does contain high levels of saturated fat.

Another consideration is that some types of gammon steak are smoked, so if you are looking for a more healthy option, be sure to try gammon steak that has not been smoked.

Smoked Gammon steak is very similar to smoked ham. It is very easy to cook and tastes great.

On the downside, smoked gammon steak does have 1/3 more fat than unsmoked gammon steak so you will need to take that into consideration when watching your waistline or cholesterol levels.

Conclusion

As a whole, Gammon steak is a great lean source of protein, which is a staple in a balanced diet.

It can also help you to lower your calorie intake and it contains all the essential amino acids that our bodies need, so for this reason it really can’t be beaten!

It will cost you a little bit more than ham, but the nutritional value is so much better.

Gammon steak is easy to prepare, cook and makes a great choice for a family meal.

It only takes a short amount of time to cook, which is great if you’re pushed for time and it tastes delicious.

In fact, many people will eat it cold as part of a picnic or barbecue because it has such a nice taste!

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed this post and we’ve answered your question “what is Gammon steak?”

Thanks for taking the time to read this post and feel free to share it with someone who may find it of value.

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