Tillie Doyle
Slow-cooking ham hocks is a great way to make a delicious, hearty meal with minimal effort. Whether you're using a crock pot or slow cooker, the long cooking time will ensure tender meat and a rich broth. This introduction will cover the key steps and ingredients for preparing ham hocks in a slow cooker, including the benefits of this cooking method and tips for creating a flavourful dish. We will also explore different recipes, such as Southern Pinto Beans and Ham Hocks, and discuss the versatility of ham hocks as an affordable and tasty ingredient.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Smoked ham hocks, water, salt, garlic, onion, chicken broth, rice |
| Preparation | Clean ham hocks under warm water, arrange in the crock pot, cover with water, add salt, cook for 6-12 hours |
| Serving suggestions | Serve with boiled potatoes, German bread, potato dumplings, or sauerkraut |
| Leftovers | Leftovers can be reheated without any problems and can be frozen for 1-2 months |
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning the ham hocks
Step 1: Unpackage the Ham Hocks
Start by carefully removing the ham hocks from their packaging. It is best to use a clean pair of kitchen scissors or a knife to open the package to avoid any risk of contaminating the meat. Be cautious of any juices that may leak from the package, and dispose of the packaging appropriately.
Step 2: Rinse Under Warm Water
Once the ham hocks are unwrapped, place them under warm running water. Use your hands to gently massage the meat, ensuring that all surfaces of the hocks are thoroughly rinsed. This step helps to remove any excess brine, blood, or other residue that may be on the surface of the meat. The warm water will also help relax the meat fibres, making it easier to identify any areas that require further cleaning.
Step 3: Inspect and Trim (Optional)
After rinsing, take a close look at the ham hocks. If you notice any discolouration, hardened fat deposits, or areas that don't appear fresh, use a sharp knife to carefully trim away these portions. This step is optional but can help ensure that your final dish is of the highest quality. Trimming away any undesirable parts will also help the hocks absorb flavours more effectively during the cooking process.
Step 4: Final Rinse and Pat Dry
After rinsing and optional trimming, give the ham hocks a final rinse under warm water. This time, focus on any areas that may have been trimmed to ensure no residual contaminants remain. Then, use clean paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to pat the ham hocks dry. Removing excess moisture will help the seasonings or marinade adhere better to the meat during the next steps of your crockpot preparation.
Additional Tips:
- If you are concerned about food safety, you can use a mild food-safe disinfectant solution to sanitise the surface of the ham hocks after trimming. However, ensure you rinse them thoroughly with warm water afterward and pat them dry before proceeding.
- Always be mindful of cross-contamination during the cleaning process. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling the raw ham hocks, and sanitise any surfaces and utensils that come into contact with the raw meat.
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Cooking time and temperature
When cooking ham hocks in a crock pot, the cooking time will depend on the temperature setting you choose. If you cook the ham hocks on a high setting, they will take around 6 to 8 hours to cook. On a low setting, the ham hocks will take around 7 to 12 hours to cook.
For example, one recipe for Southern Pinto Beans and Ham Hocks cooked in a crock pot recommends cooking the ham hocks on high for 6 hours. Another recipe for crock pot smoked pork hock soup suggests cooking the ham hocks on low for 7 to 9 hours.
It's important to note that newer slow cookers tend to be faster than traditional ones with ceramic pots. Therefore, you should always read the instructions for your specific slow cooker to determine the most accurate cooking time and temperature.
Additionally, the cooking time may vary depending on the size and weight of the ham hocks. For example, a larger ham hock may take longer to cook than a smaller one. Similarly, if you are cooking multiple ham hocks, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Finally, it's worth mentioning that slow cooking is an ideal method for making less expensive cuts of meat, like ham hocks, more tender and tasty. The low and slow cooking process breaks down the connective tissues in the meat, making it sticky, tender, and flavourful.
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Serving suggestions
Ham hocks are a versatile dish, and there are many ways to serve them. Here are some serving suggestions:
Soups and Stews
Ham hocks are often cooked in soups and stews, with beans, split peas, or vegetables. The long cooking time helps to tenderise the meat, which falls off the bone and adds a smoky flavour to the dish. You can also add potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic to the soup for extra flavour and texture.
Rice Bowl
You can serve ham hocks over rice, with a side of green beans and cornbread. This makes for a hearty and flavourful meal.
German-style
Ham hocks can be cooked and served German-style, with sauerkraut, boiled potatoes, German bread, or potato dumplings. This combination of flavours and textures creates a delicious and satisfying meal.
Salads
Shredded ham hock meat can be used in salads, adding protein and flavour. Try a green bean, potato, and ham salad, or a more substantial salad with boiled potatoes, carrots, and onions.
Sandwiches
The shredded meat from ham hocks can also be used as a sandwich filling. Try it in a crusty roll with mustard, pickles, and a side of potato salad.
Dumplings
Finally, don't forget the leftovers! You can use the leftover cooking liquid from ham hocks to boil dumplings, infusing them with flavour. Or, mix shredded ham hock meat with cooked dumplings or pasta for a tasty and filling dish.
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Storing and reheating
Storing:
After cooking ham hock in a crock pot, you can store the leftovers in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic. The ham hock will keep in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. If you want to freeze leftover ham hock, wrap it in plastic or aluminium foil before placing it in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored in the freezer for up to two or three months.
Reheating:
There are several ways to reheat ham hock. One way is to use a slow cooker or crock pot. Place the ham hock in the cooker with a cup of liquid and cook on low heat for three to six hours, depending on the size of the ham hock. Baste the ham hock with the juices from the bottom of the cooker about an hour before it's finished cooking. The ham hock is fully reheated when its internal temperature reaches at least 140 °F (60 °C).
If you're reheating slices of ham hock, it's better to use a skillet or microwave. You can also add the slices to soups, omelettes, or other recipes without reheating them first.
If you're reheating ham hock that has been frozen, allow it to defrost slowly before reheating it.
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Recipe variations
There are many ways to cook ham hocks in a crock pot, and the recipe can be adapted to suit your taste. Here are some variations to try:
- Pork Hock Soup: This is a delicious and hearty soup that can be made with a crock pot or slow cooker. Place one large or two small smoked pork hocks into the slow cooker with some split peas and other vegetables of your choice, such as carrots, stewed tomatoes, or potatoes. Cook on low for several hours until the meat is tender and falls off the bone. Remove the meat, bones, and skin from the broth, and then return the meat to the stock. Add fresh herbs or spices to taste and serve.
- Southern Pinto Beans and Ham Hocks: This recipe combines pinto beans, which do not need to be soaked overnight, with ham hocks, diced onions, and minced garlic. Place all the ingredients in the crock pot, cover with water or chicken broth, add seasonings, and cook on high for 6 hours. Serve over rice and garnish with green onions.
- Beer and Garlic Ham Hock: This simple recipe involves slow cooking the ham hock in beer with garlic for 4 hours.
- German-style Ham Hocks: This variation involves cooking the ham hocks with sauerkraut. Generously rub the pork hocks with salt and pepper, and then nestle them on top of the sauerkraut in the slow cooker. Add stock and cook on low for 7-9 hours, turning the hocks halfway through. Serve with boiled potatoes, German bread, or potato dumplings.
- Ham Hock with Beans: This recipe uses a variety of soup beans, such as pinto beans, and follows a similar method to the Southern Pinto Beans and Ham Hocks recipe.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook ham hocks in a crock pot for 6-8 hours on a high setting. However, some recipes suggest cooking on low for 7-9 hours.
The basic ingredients are ham hocks, water, and salt. Some recipes also include aromatics, such as onions and garlic, and spices like pepper.
Yes, you can use either smoked or unsmoked ham hocks. Smoked ham hocks will have a stronger flavour. It is also recommended to look for meatier pieces from the rear legs of pigs to avoid having more bones and fat than meat.
Ham hocks cooked in a crock pot can be used in various dishes such as soups, stews, or served with boiled potatoes, German bread, or potato dumplings. They can also be shredded and mixed with cooked pasta or rice.
Crock pots, or slow cookers, are ideal for cooking less expensive cuts of meat, like ham hocks, as the long cooking time tenderises the meat and adds flavour. Crock pots also allow for minimal preparation and hands-on cooking time, making them a convenient option for busy individuals.
