Get Perfectly Tender Ham Hocks By Finding The Ideal Cook Time In Your Pressure Cooker

Cooking ham hocks in a pressure cooker is a great way to infuse flavor and make the meat incredibly tender But nailing the right cook time can seem tricky, especially if you’re new to using a pressure cooker Not to worry! In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to determine how long to cook ham hocks in a pressure cooker for mouthwatering results every time.

What Are Ham Hocks?

Before jumping into cook times let’s cover the basics. Ham hocks are a cut of pork from the lower portion of the leg. They contain a good amount of fat, collagen and connective tissue. When cooked low and slow, the collagen breaks down into gelatin which makes the meat succulently tender. The flavor is robust, smoky, and intensely porky.

Ham hocks are sold fresh or cured. Cured ham hocks have been salted, smoked, or brined to add flavor. If you opt for cured, look for ones without too much extra sodium. Ham hocks are economical and versatile – perfect for soups, stews, beans, greens, and more!

Why Pressure Cook Ham Hocks?

Pressure cooking is a foolproof fast track to melt-in-your-mouth ham hocks. Here’s why it’s ideal:

• Speeds up cooking time – The high pressure environment accelerates collagen breakdown. Ham hocks cook in 45 mins to 1 hour instead of hours.

• Infuses flavor – Cooking the hocks in liquid traps steam which permeates the meat with more flavor.

• Convenient – Easy hands-off cooking while you multitask.

• Budget-friendly – Less energy for a faster cook makes it very economical.

Now let’s get into determining the best cook time for tender ham hocks in a pressure cooker.

Factors That Affect Ham Hock Cook Time

Cooking ham hocks in a pressure cooker is quite simple. However, nailing the ideal cook time does depend on a few factors:

• Size of the hocks – Smaller 1-2 lb hocks cook faster than big 3-4 lb ones.

• Thickness – Thicker, meatier hocks need more time than skinnier ones.

• Bone-in or de-boned – Bone-in hocks cook slower since the bones insulate the meat.

• Fresh or cured – Cured smoked hocks soften faster since they are less dense.

• Quantity – Cooking more hocks together increases overall cook time.

• Pressure cooker model – Older models require more cooking time than newer ones.

Knowing these factors will help you adjust time for perfect results. Next I’ll provide cooking time guidelines.

Cook Time Guidelines Based on Size

Here are approximate pressure cook times based on the size of ham hocks:

• Small 1-2 lb hocks – Cook for 45-50 minutes.

• Medium 2-3 lb hocks – Cook for 50-60 minutes.

• Large 3-4 lb hocks – Cook for 60-75 minutes.

• Extra large 4+ lb hocks – Cook for 70-90 minutes.

Use these general time ranges as a starting point. Then tweak cook time as needed based on the other factors.

For example, if you are cooking 4 medium bone-in smoked hocks together, start with 60 minutes but you may need to add 10-15 minutes more to ensure they are fall-off-the-bone tender since the bones and quantity will increase overall cook time.

Step-By-Step Guide

Now let’s walk through the complete process of pressure cooking ham hocks from start to finish:

1. Select fresh or cured ham hocks – Choose based on desired flavor.

2. Rinse the hocks – Rinse under cool water to remove excess salt.

3. Add to pressure cooker – Place hocks in cooker pot and add aromatics like onions, garlic, herbs.

4. Pour in liquid – Add enough water, broth, or a combo to partially cover hocks.

5. Secure the lid – Lock the lid in place.

6. Pressurize – Select high pressure setting and allow cooker to build pressure.

7. Adjust cook time – Refer to size guide and tweak time as needed based on other factors.

8. Release pressure – Follow manufacturer’s instructions to safely release pressure.

9. Check doneness – Meat should be very tender and easily pulling away from the bone.

10. Rest and serve – Let hocks rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Handy Tips for Maximizing Flavor

Beyond getting the cook time right, there are some easy ways to pump up the flavor of your pressure cooked ham hocks:

• Sear the hocks in a skillet first to caramelize the exterior.

• Use chicken or ham stock instead of water for a flavor boost.

• Add aromatics like bay leaves, peppercorns, or a bouquet garni.

• Stir in mustard, honey, or molasses for a nuanced sweetness.

• Toss in veggies like onions, carrots or potatoes for some complexity.

• Finish off with a splash of vinegar or hot sauce to brighten flavor.

Put Your Pressure Cooker to Work

Now that you’re armed with all the insider info on calculating the ideal ham hock cook time, you can let your pressure cooker work its magic. No more chewing your way through tough, stubborn pieces of meat! Properly pressure cooked ham hocks will deliver succulent, fall-off-the-bone texture and tremendous depth of flavor.

I recommend starting with a classic recipe like split pea ham hock soup or ham hocks with white beans. Once you’ve nailed the basic cook time, you can adapt it to any ham hock recipe you love. Get ready for your new favorite, most convenient, and budget-friendly way to enjoy flavorful ham hocks any night of the week.