Ham Hock Substitutes If you can’t get your hands on ham hocks, or are in a cooking pinch, you can use bacon, pancetta, guanciale, or smoked pork sausage in place of them. You can also use other parts of the pig that are packed with flavor but less prized like jowl bacon, pig trotter (the feet), or the ears.
Tag: ham hocks substitute
I’m the type of person that crushes on certain foods. Remember my speculoos addiction? Enough said.
My problem is that when I fall for a food, I fall so hard that I eat it the point of being sick.
I remember when I had a thing for those molten chocolate cakes (you know the ones that are on EVERY restaurant dessert menu). I ate my way through so many (I may or may not have been pregnant at the time) that one day, spoon-deep into my chocolate lava explosion, I got so overwhelmingly nauseous (I may or may not have been pregnant at the time) that I couldn’t take another bite. Ever. Seriously – If you so much as put that thing near me, you’ll need to bring an emesis basin with. Enough said.
I used to be gaga over split pea soup too. Every time I went out to eat, be it a restaurant or a pizza shop, I’d order one. I just loved how hearty and filling it was. But then one day, I was all split-pead-out. I literally couldn’t look at the stuff for years. Me and Mr. Split Pea were estranged, and I moved on to Mr. Lentil.
And then, many, many years later (we’re talking double digits here), I read about a popular preparation for split peas using ham hocks to impart a smoky flavor to the soup. Of course ham hocks are off the table in my kosher kitchen, but the idea got me thinking, and whetted my appetite for my long lost favorite soup.
I did some research and found that smoked turkey leg would make a good replacement for ham hocks, adding smokiness and flavor to the soup. The results were even better than I’d imagined – smoky and savory with a deep, rich flavor! Braising the turkey leg also made it buttery soft – it’s meat fell apart instantly and made a great addition to the soup.
To really up the ante, I added some fresh thyme dumpling that meld perfectly into the soup. The results are so hearty, it’s literally a meal in itself.
Thanks to this amazing recipe, I’m a born-again split pea fan and I hope you will be too. And don’t worry, this time, I’m treading carefully.
Smoky Split Pea soup
2 leeks, white and pale green parts only, chopped 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 5 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 cups split peas, picked over and rinsed 3 bay leaves 5 sprigs thyme 1 smoked turkey leg 4 cups chicken broth 4 cups water salt & pepper, to taste
Method:
Saute leeks and garlic until fragrant. Add carrots and celery. When they begin to soften, add split peas, bay leaves and thyme and saute for 2 minutes. Place turkey leg into the pot and add stock and water. Bring to boil, lower the heat and simmer for 1 hour. Remove the turkey leg from the soup and shred it into small pieces. Return the shredded turkey to the soup and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Adjust the consistency by adding more water, if desired.
1 cup flour 3/4 tsp salt 1/2 tbsp baking powder 1 tbsp oil 1/2 cup lukewarm water 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
Method:
Whisk flour, salt and baking powder. Add remaining ingredients to form a dough. Drop spoon-sized pieces of dough into salted boiling water and simmer until they rise to the top. Remove with a slotted spoon and add to the soup.
NOTE: While I prefer to cook my dumplings separately (since not everyone in my house likes dumplings in their soup), you can definitely cook them directly in the soup.
VARIATION: Instead of dumplings, add diced potatoes along with the carrots and celery.
Chanie Apfelbaum
This doesnt mean that you should forgo making any soul food recipes that call for ham hocks, because thankfully there are a number of meaty options that you can use as a substitute. Because one of the most enticing aspects of ham hocks is their smoky flavor, bacon (be sure that its smoked, not just salted) works extremely well as a substitute (via Gourmet Sleuth). Also, because ham hocks are a fatty cut of pork, it makes sense to use a similarly fatty cut like bacon as a substitute.
If youre trying to keep it as close as possible to the original, you can use a smoked pork shank in your recipe (via Food52). While ham hocks come from the back legs of the pig, pork shanks come from the front. There might be slight differences when it comes to size fat content, but otherwise, this solution should guarantee a nearly identical outcome.
Ham hocks, a cut of pork from the bottom of the rear leg, are used for flavoring in a number of different southern dishes such as stews, beans, and leafy green preparations such as collards. Because they arent yet ubiquitous in all parts of the country, theres a chance that you might have trouble finding them at your local butcher or grocery store.
If you arent a pork eater, you can use another type of leg cut as a substitute — a turkey leg! As turkey legs also tend to be full of skin, fat, and tendon just like ham hocks are, and because turkey legs are often smoked, this should make for a good replacement, especially if youre looking for a slightly healthier solution (Fine Cooking). It may lack some of the richness imparted by a ham hock, but thats the price you pay for a healthier meal.
A butcher taught me! Discover how to cook the ham hock correctly
FAQ
What can I use in place of ham hock?
What can I use instead of ham hock in pea soup?
What is the equivalent of a hock?
What is a good ham hock substitute?
Smoked bacon is one of the most favored picks as a ham hock replacement. Similar to smoked ham, smoked bacon should be on your list as a ham hock alternative. Except for the smoky flavor everyone knows after hearing its name; smoked ham also brings up a salty taste as your ham hock.
What are the best substitute for shallot?
The best substitute for a shallot would be something with a similar taste and cooking properties. The first thing that comes to mind is a red onion, although this might have a stronger flavour than a shallot, it might be the closest you can get. Other options would be any other type of onion, either white, sweet, or yellow.
Can ham hocks be substituted for Bacon?
Because one of the most enticing aspects of ham hocks is their smoky flavor, bacon (be sure that it’s smoked, not just salted) works extremely well as a substitute (via Gourmet Sleuth ). Also, because ham hocks are a fatty cut of pork, it makes sense to use a similarly fatty cut like bacon as a substitute.
What goes well with ham hock?
It pairs well with cabbage, collard greens, and beans such as pinto or green beans. In addition, you can add slow-cooked ham hock to quiche and salad to double the flavor too. The slow-cooked ham hock is often shredded or minced before being used. When it comes to roasting, roasted ham hock is very favored too.