In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine ham hocks, onions, garlic, and chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook at a bare simmer until hocks are very tender, 2 to 3 hours. Remove ham hocks from liquid, transfer to a cutting board, and pull bones from meaty and fatty parts.
How to cook ham hock
As we mentioned, ham hock is great for use in soups and stock. Simmering the hock in water for a long period of time allows the water to adopt the intense pork flavour. Not only that, the meat will become so tender that it will easily fall of the bone, making it great for use in lentil and pea based soups, along with the stock made during simmering.
The meat can also be collected together after boiling and put to good use in a terrine or a served on the bone with sides such as sauerkraut. Although there is little meat to be had, the pork on ham hock is rich and full of flavour.
How long does it take to cook ham hock? As a rough guideline, cooking ham hock for 2-3 hours yields the best results.
My basket (0)
Ham hock is sourced from the foot/hand of the pig, more precisely the knuckle and is mostly used in making soups and stocks. It’s an affordable cut that consists mostly of bone, fat and a little meat. Not to be mistaken with trotters, the cut is sourced from just above the trotter, where the meat yields an intense flavour.
BEST HAM HOCKS | How to Prepare and Cook THE MOST TENDER Fresh Ham Hocks the SOUTHERN WAY
FAQ
How long should a ham hock boil?
Are ham hocks fully cooked?
Do you cover ham hocks when cooking?
How long does it take for ham to cook?
How long to cook ham hocks?
Add any seasonings to the water (garlic, bay leaves, salt and pepper are good). Bring the water to a boil, cover the pot, then turn the heat down and simmer the ham hocks for about 2 – 3 hours. If you want to add some vegetables to the mixture, chop and add them once the meat from the ham hocks is tender, then cook for an additional half an hour.
Can you cook ham hocks in the oven?
When it comes to cooking ham hocks, one of the best methods is using the oven. Not only does oven cooking result in incredibly tender and flavorful meat, but it also allows you to infuse your ham hocks with a variety of delicious seasonings.
How to cook ham hocks in a crock pot?
Best way of how to cook ham hocks is here! Use your Crockpot with beans for a soup and it becomes a hearty one pot meal. Don’t waste these, they have tons of smoked flavor! Place ham hocks with flat sides facing down into your slow cooker. Pour cans of white beans on top with all other ingredients. Close lid and seal shut. Cook on low for 6 hours.
How long do you cook ham hocks in a pressure cooker?
* If you are using an instant pot or a pressure cooker, cook them for 40 minutes and then allow the steam to gently release for 10-20 minutes. The best way to determine when your ham hocks are fully cooked is to try to pull some of the meat off using a fork. If it is stuck to the bone or not really tender, the ham hocks need more time.