Christmas or Easter Ham

Christmas or Easter Ham is a festive centerpiece dish, typically a cured and smoked pork leg glazed with ingredients like brown sugar, honey, or pineapple. It is a traditional holiday staple in many Western countries, particularly the United States and Europe, symbolizing celebration and abundance.

🍳 View the full Christmas or Easter Ham recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is high in protein and fat, with minimal carbohydrates unless a sugary glaze is added. A standard serving provides significant B vitamins, zinc, and selenium, and typically ranges from 250 to 400 calories, depending on the cut and preparation.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	145 kcal
Protein	20 g
Carbs	1 g
Fat	7 g
Fiber	0 g
Sugar	0 g
Sodium	1100 mg
Potassium	300 mg
Phosphorus	220 mg
Selenium	30 µg
Zinc	2.5 mg
Iron	0.8 mg
Thiamin (B1)	0.5 mg
Niacin (B3)	4.5 mg
Vitamin B12	0.6 µg

Per 3 oz (85 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, ham has long been a symbol of prosperity and was historically easier to preserve for large gatherings. Nutritionally, its high-quality protein and mineral content make it a substantial, though calorie-dense, part of a festive meal.