What Is Ham hock and How Can I Use It?
If ham hock has turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use it with confidence and how to choose it, cook it, store it, what to substitute, and 68 recipes to try it in.
Key Points
- Ham hock is the joint between the pig's thigh and shank, usually sold smoked.
- It shines in long-simmered dishes like beans, greens, and split pea soup because it releases gelatin and deep flavor.
- Simmer 2-3 hours, then shred the meat and discard the skin and bone.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Smoked ham bone, bacon, or smoked turkey leg can substitute depending on the dish.
What is ham hock?
Ham hock is the joint that connects the pig's thigh to the shank. It is full of collagen, connective tissue, and flavor. Most ham hocks sold in stores are smoked.
Why Use Ham Hock
The main value of a ham hock is the rich, gelatinous broth it creates when simmered. The collagen breaks down into gelatin during long cooking. This gives body and silkiness to soups, stews, and bean dishes.
It is a traditional addition to Southern collard greens, black-eyed peas, and split pea soup. A single ham hock can flavor a large pot because it is mostly bone and skin.
Remove the meat after cooking. Shred it and stir it back in for extra texture and flavor. The skin and bone are usually discarded.
How to Cook It
Ham hock needs long, slow cooking to become tender. Simmer it in water or stock for 2-3 hours. Add it to beans, greens, or soups at the beginning so it has time to release its flavor and gelatin.
It pairs especially well with acidic ingredients like vinegar or tomatoes. These balance the richness. A little brown sugar or molasses can also help round out the smokiness.
Nutrition and Storage
Ham hock is high in collagen and provides some protein. It is also high in fat and sodium, especially if smoked. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Substitutes
A smoked ham bone or leftover ham scraps work well. Bacon or pancetta can provide smokiness in smaller amounts. They will not add the same body from gelatin. Smoked turkey legs or wings are a good alternative for people who do not eat pork.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size unknown (100g)Quick facts
Where to find ham hock: Ham hock is usually found in the meats section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group: Ham hock is a member of the Pork Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
- In Chinese
- 火腿飞
- British (UK) term
- Ham hock
- en français
- jarret de porc
- en español
- pierna de jamón
How much does ham hock weigh?
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Related
Pork Products
Recipes using ham hock
There are 68 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Pork Hock with Pickled Sweet Red Pepper
I like this sour flavor. The best over buckwheat, but all is fine when over rice, potatoes, noodles, or just with lettuce mix. You may use pickled grilled red pepper.
Spicy Red Bean Soup
Spicy red bean soup with a smoky ham hock, cheesecloth-bundled cumin and cayenne, and a finish of Tabasco and parsley. A slow-simmered pot of Southern comfort food.
Deluxe Nachos
Nachos from scratch, or make these nachos quick and easy by using store bought refried beans and tortilla chips.
Crescent City Red Beans & Rice (Crock-Pot)
New Orleans red beans and rice made easy in the slow cooker. Dried red beans cooked low with a smoky ham hock, garlic, and bay, thickened creamy, then piled over rice with browned smoked sausage.
Lobster & Roasted Corn Chowder
Lobster and roasted corn chowder with bacon, smoked ham hock, and a Southwestern kick from jalapeño and green chiles. A creamy bowl built from a lobster-stock base and pan-charred corn kernels.
Old-Fashioned Pole Beans
Southern-style pole beans slow-simmered with a smoked ham hock until tender and deeply flavored. Just five ingredients and pure comfort.
Quick Black Eyed Pea Soup
A quick rendition of a tasty black-eyed pea soup that tastes amazing with a crusty bread.
Stewed Red Beans
New Orleans-style red beans simmered with smoked ham hocks, kielbasa, the holy trinity, and a kick of Tabasco. Thick, smoky, and good enough to make on a Monday or any day.
Smokey Tomato & Lentil Soup
Hearty smoky lentil soup simmered with a ham hock, Roma tomatoes, cabbage, carrots and Italian herbs. A thick, stick-to-your-ribs bowl that's built for cold weather.
Brenda's Black Bean Soup
Slow-simmered black bean soup with smoky ham hocks, bell peppers, and a whole sour orange for a subtle citrus depth. Thickened with browned flour for a rich, velvety bowl of Southern comfort.
Black Bean Nachos
Open-faced black bean nachos with spicy chorizo, melted Monterey Jack, and a smoky black bean pesto thickened with ham hock. Fried flour tortillas baked into crisp wedges. Loaded restaurant-style nachos.
Blackeyed Pea Crabmeat Gorditas with Vinaigrette(Pyles)*
Black-eyed pea and crab salad with bacon, roasted peppers, and fresh herbs in a bright vinaigrette. A Stephan Pyles-style Southwestern recipe served on gorditas or crisp tortillas.
Black Bean Soup #2
Cuban-style black bean soup with ham hocks, green pepper sofrito, cumin, and red wine vinegar. Brothy and chunky rather than pureed, garnished with sieved hard-cooked egg in classic Havana fashion.
Bean Soup Ii
Lima bean soup simmered low and slow with smoky ham hocks, ham bone, celery, and green onions. Classic Southern bean soup served with Mexican cornbread.
Carbonnade
Belgian carbonnade braises beef chuck and smoked ham in dark beer with onions, carrots, and herbs, finished with scotch, vinegar, and toasted walnuts. Deep stew flavor in every spoonful.
Black Bean Soup (Pressure Cooked)
Pressure cooker black bean soup made from dried beans with no soaking, ready in well under an hour. Smoky or vegetarian, thickened with bulgur, and finished with cilantro and a splash of sherry.
Crockpot Red Beans
This scrumptious dish is made with a variety of spices that creates a mouthwatering aroma in the kitchen.
Unadulterated Black Bean Soup
Unadulterated black bean soup with dried beans, ham hocks, red and yellow onion, pureed silky smooth and finished with dry sherry. A purist's approach with no spices masking the beans.
Loaded Black Bean Soup
Loaded black bean soup pureed silky-smooth with smoky ham hock, sherry, lemon, and a finish of sour cream and fresh dill. Steakhouse-style classic that elevates the humble bean.
Sunday Black-Bean Soup
Smoky black bean soup made from dried beans simmered with ham hocks, cumin, jalapeno, and vegetables, pureed smooth and finished with dry sherry and fresh lime juice.
White Beans
Pressure-canned white beans with ham hocks, brown sugar, chili sauce, and mustard. A classic batch canning recipe that fills your pantry with smoky, sweet baked-style beans.
Hoosier Bean Soup
Hoosier bean soup with navy beans and ham hock, simmered low and slow after an overnight soak. A classic Midwestern ham and bean soup that's thick, smoky, and deeply satisfying.
White Michigan Bean Soup
White Michigan bean soup is a three-ingredient classic: white navy-style beans simmered slowly with a smoked ham hock, then partly mashed to thicken. Old-school, no-fuss comfort.
Blue Cheese Minestrone
A slow-simmered minestrone built on beef bone and ham hock broth with kidney beans, broken lasagna noodles, cabbage, and crumbled blue cheese. Rich, meaty, and deeply satisfying.
Texas Caviar
Texas caviar made from dried black beans slow-simmered with a smoky ham hock, then tossed with sauteed peppers, onions, and fresh tomatoes. A Lone Star classic side dish.
White Bean Soup
Old-fashioned white bean soup with navy beans and ham hock simmered low and slow with celery, onion, garlic, and parsley. Thick, hearty, and filling.
Sunday Black Bean Soup
Slow-simmered black bean soup with ham hocks, cumin, jalapeno, and dry sherry, pureed thick and finished with fresh lime juice. A from-scratch Sunday soup worth the wait.
Bajan Black Bean Soup
Bajan black bean soup from Barbados: dried black beans simmered with a ham hock, fragrant with allspice and lemon, finished with cream and an optional splash of dark rum. Caribbean comfort in a bowl.
Black-Eyed Pea Crab Salad with Ruby Grapefruit
Black-eyed peas simmered in ham hock broth, tossed with sweet crabmeat, crispy bacon, tri-color bell peppers, and fresh herbs, then ringed with juicy ruby grapefruit sections. Southern elegance on a platter.
Dinner-In-A-Bowl
A rustic one-pot meal of ham hocks and sausages simmered with cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and onions in a savory broth. Hearty, warming, and satisfying enough to be dinner all by itself.
Sopa De Frijol Negro (Black Bean Soup)
Cuban-style black bean soup simmered with ham hock, scotch bonnet pepper, and a splash of dark rum stirred in just before serving. Rich, smoky, and deeply satisfying.
Lima Beans
Southern-style dried lima beans slow-simmered with smoked ham hock skin, bacon drippings, and a pinch of sugar until creamy and tender. Simple, smoky, old-fashioned comfort food.
Best Pinto Bean Soup
Hearty pinto bean soup simmered with smoky ham hocks, diced onions, celery, and tomato. Thick, warming, and ready in about 40 minutes for a budget-friendly weeknight supper.
Black Bean Soup with Rum
Slow-simmered black bean soup with a smoky ham hock, fresh thyme, and a splash of dark rum stirred in at the end. Garnished with chopped egg, parsley, and lemon slices.
Split Pea Soup with Sorrel
Refined split pea soup with fresh sorrel, ham hock, lemon, and cream, puréed silky smooth and strained. Serve it piping hot in winter or well chilled as an elegant summer starter.
Ham or Chicken & Vegetable Bean Soup
Slow cooker navy bean soup with ham hocks or chicken, potatoes, carrots, celery, and thyme. A hearty crockpot bean soup that simmers all day and freezes well.
Favourite Black Beans & Brown Rice
Black beans and brown rice with smoky ham hock, oregano, and a splash of vinegar. Diabetic-friendly, high-fibre side served over nutty whole-grain rice. Cuban comfort with a healthier swap.
Red Beans & Rice- Pink Adobe
Red beans and rice from the Pink Adobe restaurant with ham hock, tomato sauce, Tabasco, and sausage. Soaked overnight, simmered for hours, with mashed beans stirred back in for creamy richness.
Senate Bean Soup
Senate bean soup with navy beans, smoked ham hock, potatoes, and an onion pique, half-pureed for a creamy-chunky texture. The famous US Capitol dining room recipe.
Spanish Chick Pea Soup
Rustic Spanish chickpea soup with chorizo, ham hock, carrots, and tomato sauce simmered in chicken broth. Hearty, smoky, and on the table in just 30 minutes.
Pickle Soup
If you're one who enjoys cold soup, then this delicious dish will please your tastebuds in no time!
Cajun Black Bean Soup
Cajun black bean soup simmers dried beans with smoky ham hock, paprika, cayenne, chili powder, and cumin into a thick, half-puréed pot. Serve with Monterey Jack, sour cream, chives, or chopped egg.
Dad's Navy Bean Soup
Old-school navy bean soup simmered with smoky ham hock, celery, golden onion, and a dash of cayenne. Naturally gluten-free, high-fiber, low-fat, and built for a long, lazy stovetop afternoon.
Bean, Ham & Pasta Soup
Slow cooker pinto bean soup with smoky ham hock and pasta simmered all day until thick and soul-warming. Set it in the morning, crush the beans, and serve a crowd.
Awesome Black Bean Soup with Jalapenos
Spicy black bean soup with eight jalapeños, smoky ham hock, cumin, and a final splash of tequila stirred in off heat. Half-pureed for body, garnished with sour cream.
Ham Hocks & Lima Beans
Slow cooker ham hocks and lima beans simmered with red bell pepper, tomatoes, bay, and clove. A smoky, soul-food classic that cooks itself while you're at work.
Hoppin' John (New Year)
Good, inexpensive hearty meal although I would spice it up a little more probably with garlic and more onion.
Black Bean Pesto
Smoky, spicy black bean pesto made with ham hock, jalapeños, garlic, and cilantro stems. A thick, spreadable paste for tacos, chips, or as a bold side dish. Makes 3 cups.
Bean Potpourri
Dump-it-all slow cooker stew with chickpeas, pinto beans, beef shank, smoked ham hock, kielbasa, and potatoes. Set it and forget it for up to 16 hours.
Slow Cooker Red Beans & Rice
Everyone loves this simple yet savory dish that can now easily be made in your crockpot.
More ham hock recipes
- Awesome Black Bean Soup with Jalapenos
- Dinner-In-A-Bowl
- Easy Red Cabbage Soup
- Favourite Black Beans & Brown Rice
- Ham or Chicken & Vegetable Bean Soup
- Hoppin' John (New Year)
- Lima Bean & Ham Stew
- Lima Beans
- Pickle Soup
- Pressure Cooker Black Bean Soup
- Red Beans & Rice- Pink Adobe
- Slow Cooker Red Beans & Rice
- Sunday Black Bean Soup
- Super Black Bean Soup
- Texas Caviar
