Crock-Pot Ham Hocks: Tender, Flavorful, And Easy!

how do you cook ham hocks in a crock pot

Ham hocks are a cheap, hearty meal that can be cooked in a Crock Pot. They are best cooked slowly, with the meat falling off the bone, and adding a smoky flavour to the dish. Ham hocks can be used to make a variety of dishes, including soups, collard greens, and pinto beans. They can be cooked with various ingredients, such as beer, garlic, salt, pepper, apple cider vinegar, and vegetables. The Crock Pot allows for a simple cooking process, where all the ingredients can be added and left to cook for several hours.

Characteristics Values
Type of meat Ham hocks
Cut of meat Rear ankles
Cooking method Slow cooking
Cook time 4-12 hours
Ingredients Water, salt, pepper, apple cider vinegar, collard greens, smoked ham hocks
Crock-pot size 6-quart
Crock-pot temperature High
Crock-pot function Slow
Serving suggestion Serve with boiled potatoes, German bread, or potato dumplings
Leftovers Can be reheated or frozen for 1-2 months

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Cooking ham hocks with pinto beans

Ham hocks are a great way to add a ton of flavour to your dish, especially when cooked in a crock pot. Here is a simple recipe for cooking ham hocks with pinto beans.

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need a large smoked ham hock, a large yellow onion, minced garlic, and pinto beans. You can also add bay leaves, crushed red pepper flakes, and chicken or beef broth instead of water for more flavour.

Next, rinse the beans in a colander under cold running water. Sort through them and discard any malformed or damaged beans or small pebbles. Place the beans in a large bowl and cover them with water. Soak the beans for 6 hours or overnight. If you are in a hurry, you can follow the instructions for a quick soak.

Now, place the ham hock, diced onions, and minced garlic in the crock pot. Add the soaked beans and pour in the water or broth. You can also add salt and pepper or other seasonings of your choice.

Cover the crock pot and cook on high for 6 to 8 hours, or until the beans are tender. If you are using unsoaked beans, cook on high, and if you are using soaked beans, cook on low. Stir halfway through the cook time and add water if the beans are not covered.

Once the beans are tender, remove the ham hock and bay leaves. Shred the meat and return it to the pot. Taste the beans and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Your ham hocks and pinto beans are now ready to be served! This dish goes well with bread, rice, or cornbread, and can be served as a hearty and flavourful meal.

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Ham hocks with collard greens

To make ham hocks with collard greens, you will need the following ingredients:

  • Smoked ham hocks
  • Collard greens
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Chicken broth (optional)

First, cook the ham hocks in a slow cooker with the chicken broth for 4 hours on low heat. The ham hocks should be tender and falling off the bone. Next, add the collard greens, salt, and pepper. Stir everything, then let it cook for another 2 hours. Finally, add the apple cider vinegar and stir. Serve and enjoy!

You can also add other ingredients to enhance the flavour of the dish, such as light brown sugar, onion, or garlic.

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Slow cooker ham and beans

Ingredients

  • Ham hocks (fresh, uncured, and unsmoked)
  • Beans (dry, soaked, or canned)
  • Water or chicken broth
  • Salt
  • Vegetables (optional)

Method

  • Clean the ham hocks by massaging them under warm water.
  • Sort and wash the beans if using dry beans. This step can be skipped if using canned beans.
  • Arrange the ham hocks in the slow cooker.
  • Cover the ham hocks with water or chicken broth.
  • Add one tablespoon of salt, or to taste.
  • Cook on high for 8 hours or on low for 7-9 hours until the ham hocks are tender.
  • If desired, add vegetables such as carrots, celery, green beans, onions, or potatoes during the last few hours of cooking.
  • Once cooked, allow the ham hocks to cool completely, then skim the solid layer of fat off the top and discard it.
  • Serve the ham and beans with boiled potatoes, German bread, or potato dumplings.

Tips

  • It is not necessary to remove the skin from the ham hocks before cooking as it adds extra flavour and richness to the dish. It can be easily discarded once the ham hocks are cooked.
  • The longer the ham hocks are cooked, the more tender the meat will be.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for 1-2 months.
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Ham hocks with carrots and celery

Ham hocks are a great way to add a ton of flavour to your meal, especially soups. They are also a cheap way to add a lot of flavour with little to no work on your part.

If you are looking to cook ham hocks with carrots and celery, you can follow this recipe for a delicious and hearty meal. This recipe will yield a large portion, perfect for feeding a family or a large crowd.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large smoked ham hock
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 2-3 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2-3 celery stalks
  • 32 oz chicken broth, low sodium
  • Minced garlic
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Water, as needed

Method:

  • Place the ham hock with the flat side down into your slow cooker or crock pot.
  • Add the diced onions, sliced carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the pot.
  • Pour in the chicken broth and add water if needed to ensure the ham hock is submerged.
  • Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours, depending on your desired cooking speed.
  • Once the ham hock is tender and the meat is falling off the bone, season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Give everything a stir, then serve and enjoy!

Tips:

  • You can also add soaked or canned beans to this recipe for a heartier meal.
  • If you prefer a creamier broth, stir vigorously, mashing some of the beans against the side of the crock.
  • If you are short on time, you can use a pot on the stove to boil the ham hocks, which will reduce the cooking time.

Enjoy your delicious ham hocks with carrots and celery!

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Cooking time and temperature

Ham hocks can be cooked in a crock pot on either high or low settings, depending on the amount of time you have available. The cooking time can range from 4 to 12 hours, with the meat becoming more tender the longer it cooks.

If you are in a hurry, you can cook the ham hocks on high for 4 hours, after which they should be tender and falling off the bone. You can then add in other ingredients such as collard greens, salt, pepper, and apple cider vinegar, and cook for another 2 hours.

If you have more time, you can cook the ham hocks on low for 7 to 9 hours, turning the hocks halfway through. This lower temperature will result in even more tender meat.

If you want to cook the ham hocks overnight or during the day while you are out, you can leave them on high for 8 hours or on low for up to 12 hours. This longer cooking time will ensure that the ham hocks are very tender and full of flavor.

It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of crock pot you have. Newer machines tend to be faster than traditional ones with ceramic pots. Therefore, it is important to read the instructions for your specific slow cooker to ensure accurate cooking times.

Frequently asked questions

It takes between 4 to 8 hours to cook ham hocks in a crock pot.

The ingredients required are ham hocks, water, and salt. You can also add chicken broth, garlic, apple cider vinegar, pepper, and vegetables like collard greens, carrots, celery, and potatoes.

Clean the ham hocks by massaging them under warm water. Arrange the ham hocks in the crock pot, cover them with water, and add a tablespoon of salt. Cook on high for 8 hours or on low for 7-9 hours.

Yes, smoked ham hocks can be used in a crock pot. However, if you are using smoked sausage as a substitute for ham hocks, it is not recommended as the sausage may lose its flavor during the long cooking time.

Ham hocks cooked in a crock pot can be served with boiled potatoes, German bread, or potato dumplings. They can also be shredded and mixed with cooked pasta or rice. The dish can be served immediately or reheated, and leftovers can be frozen for 1-2 months.

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