CarneAtlas

GammonvsLeg of pork

pork · Close equivalent

These cuts are closely equivalent — the same or nearly identical cut across different butchery traditions.

Same anatomy — gammon is the cured form of the fresh leg of pork. Curing alone (without long air-drying) is what distinguishes gammon from European raw-cured hams; cooking is what distinguishes gammon from cooked ham.

Translation takeaway

These are near equivalents in the way butchers and cooks use them. If you can source either one, you're very close to the same result.

Open GammonOpen Leg of porkSee substitutes
Keep this comparisonSave Gammon and Leg of pork together for shopping, cooking notes, and future reference.
Gammon
Pork · Leg

The British cured-leg-of-pork tradition — the rear leg of the pig is wet-cured (brined) or dry-cured, then sold raw to be cooked at home. Once boiled, baked, or…

HeadBladeArm ShoulderLoinLegRibsBellyHock
Full details →
Leg of pork
Pork · Leg

The pork leg is a large, lean, and muscular primal cut from the hind of the animal. Fresh it is roasted whole as a celebratory centerpiece. Cured and aged it becomes some of the…

HeadBladeArm ShoulderLoinLegRibsBellyHock
Full details →

Names by country

CountryGammonLeg of pork
🇺🇸United StatesHam
🇬🇧United KingdomGammonLeg of pork
🇫🇷FranceJambon
🇪🇸SpainJamón
🇦🇷ArgentinaJamón fresco
🇲🇽MexicoPierna de cerdo
🇵🇹PortugalPresunto
🇧🇷BrazilPernil
🇮🇹ItalyCosciotto di maiale
🇩🇪GermanySchweinekeule

Cook either one well

Steak searing in a cast-iron skillet beside an unbranded knife

$$ · everyday prep, trimming, and carving

Slice against the grain cleanly every time

Slicing steak, trimming small amounts of fat, chopping aromatics, and general kitchen work.

Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-Inch Chef's Knife

Affiliate links — CarneAtlas may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.See all recommended gear

Source this cut

Affiliate links — CarneAtlas may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Get one useful cut guide each week.

Every Thursday: one cut, what it’s called around the world, the best substitute, one dish, and one useful tool.

Free. No password. Unsubscribe anytime.