Whether added to soups, stews, or legume dishes or enjoyed with a side of veggies and some cornbread, ham hocks are an amazingly tasty cut of pork that can add so much flavor to a dish. This thick cut of pork is inexpensive and easy to cook, and there are plenty of ways to prepare your ham hocks. Use braised, smoked, or raw ham hocks to make a delicious comforting dish with wonderfully tender meat and fantastic flavor. The key to phenomenal ham hocks is to crisp them up then let them braise in broth in the oven for a few hours. The result will be perfectly cooked ham hocks every time.
Ham hocks are usually sold pre-cooked, and often smoked. If you get a smoked hock you may want to soak it overnight to get rid of some of the saltiness. Otherwise, they are ready to use. You can braise a ham hock, trim it up and serve it as a meat course.
Tips for Making Ham Hocks
For simple variations, you can add fresh herbs, spices, and seasonings to your ham hocks. Creole seasoning, taco seasoning, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, fresh rosemary, and paprika are just a few ideas to try.
To make an even crispier skin, broil the ham hocks for a few minutes once theyve finished baking in the oven.
Low sodium broth is best for this recipe – the ham hocks are quite salty so if you use regular broth, the salt might overwhelm the dish.
If youre worried about the salt content of the ham hocks, soak them in water for at least half an hour before cooking. This will help remove some of the salt.
What are Ham Hocks?
Ham hocks come from the bottom part of a pigs leg, where the calf connects to the ankle. This particular cut is popular in the American South, as ham hocks impart loads of smoky, salty flavor to dishes. Theyre packed with protein, iron, and other nutrients, however, ham hocks are also high in salt.
BEST HAM HOCKS | How to Prepare and Cook THE MOST TENDER Fresh Ham Hocks the SOUTHERN WAY
FAQ
Do I need to soak ham hock before cooking?
How long does it take for a ham hock to fall apart?
How long to cook a ham hock in water?
Why is my ham hock tough?
Do smoked ham hocks need to be soaked before cooking?
Before cooking, soak the smoked ham hocks in water for a few hours or overnight. This helps to remove excess salt and allows the meat to become tender. Once soaked, drain the water and pat the ham hocks dry with paper towels. This step is important to ensure a crispy exterior and proper browning.
Can you cook smoked ham hocks on the stove?
Cooking smoked ham hocks on the stove is a great way to infuse them with flavor and create tender and delicious meat. How long does it take to cook smoked ham hocks on the stove? On average, it takes about 2 to 3 hours to cook smoked ham hocks on the stove.
How do you clean ham hocks before cooking?
Wash the ham hocks with cold water. To make sure that the meat is clean before boiling, rinse each of the ham hocks with cold water in your kitchen sink. This will help remove any impurities from the meat and cut down on the fatty residue that will float to the top while the ham hocks boil.
How long should ham hocks be cooked on low?
Cook on low for 6 hours. Before serving take ham hocks out of pot and put on a cutting board. Remove and discard bones, use a sharp knife to dice meat into bite size pieces and put back into the pot. Note: Do NOT add any salt into this at all. There is a ton already in the meat that will remain in there and seeps out into the broth when it cooks.