As my son used to say when he was little, ham hocks are thought to be a more “peasant” type of meat. But when I bought a half hog from a local farmer and got two of them, I knew I had to find a way to make them taste better than I had in the past. I read a lot of cookbooks and searched the internet before deciding that an oven-braised ham hock might be the answer.
Growing up having Southern parents, I heard about ham hocks a bit. In the South, ham hocks are used to flavor soups, greens, and beans among other things. My mom didnt cook with them because she didnt like them. I think her mom seriously scared her by cooking green beans with ham for hours on end. But ham hocks taste great and are very tender when cooked right.
Smoked ham hocks are a delicious addition to soups beans greens, and other dishes. Their smoky, salty, porky flavor adds wonderful depth. However, to really get the most out of ham hocks, proper cooking time is key. Undercook them, and you miss out on richness. Go too long, and they dry out. So how long should you cook smoked ham hocks?
Follow this guide for tips on cook times and techniques to yield fall-off-the-bone tender ham hocks bursting with flavor.
What are Ham Hocks?
Ham hocks are the lower portion of a pig’s hind leg. They contain a small amount of meat, but are mostly skin, fat, cartilage, bone and connective tissue. It’s this combination that imparts tremendous flavor when simmered in liquid.
Choosing Ham Hocks
For maximum flavor, choose smoked ham hocks rather than plain. The smoking process gives them a lovely deep, savory taste. Hocks are sold whole or pre-cut into slices. Either works fine.
Prep Tips Before Cooking
Before cooking your ham hocks:
- Rinse under cool water and pat dry.
- Use a knife to score the skin and fat in a few places. This allows flavors to penetrate.
- Place in a large pot and cover with cold water. This draws out excess salt.
- After 30 minutes, drain and rinse again before proceeding with recipe.
Cook Time in a Slow Cooker
Using a slow cooker is a foolproof way to cook ham hocks until meltingly tender.
Cook on HIGH for:
- Whole hocks: 7-8 hours
- Sliced hocks: 6-7 hours
The hocks should be falling off the bone and shredable when done.
Cook Time on the Stove
For stove top simmering:
- Place hocks in a large pot and add enough liquid to cover. Water, broth or juice all work.
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low.
- Simmer gently for 1-2 hours.
- The longer the simmer, the more flavor infused into the liquid.
Finishing Touches
Once cooked, ham hocks are ready to add fantastic flavor to your dish!
- Remove hocks from the cooking liquid.
- Shred or chop meat off bones. Discard skin and bones.
- Return meat to liquid or use as desired in recipes.
- Simmer liquid to concentrate flavors if needed.
Don’t Overlook Leftovers!
Save any unused ham hock meat and liquid to create:
- Bean soup
- Split pea soup
- Lentil soup
- Pot of greens
- Ham and bean stew
- Jambalaya
So for rich, succulent smoked ham hocks, allow at least 1-2 hours of simmering time on the stovetop. For hands-off cooking, 6-8 hours on HIGH in the slow cooker is perfect. Low and slow extraction of flavors from the skin, fat and bones is what you’re after. With the right cook time, you’ll be rewarded with the intense smoky ham essence that makes recipes like collard greens, navy bean soup and other classics so crave-worthy.
Frequency of Entities:
ham hocks: 23
smoked: 10
cook: 8
flavor: 7
tender: 4
meat: 4
liquid: 4
bone: 3
fat: 3
skin: 3
simmer: 3
hour: 3
slow: 2
stove: 2
cooker: 2
shred: 2
soup: 2
discard: 1
brine: 1
hind: 1
loin: 1
cartilage: 1
tissue: 1
salty: 1
porky: 1
depth: 1
richness: 1
drain: 1
rinse: 1
score: 1
penetrate: 1
foolproof: 1
fall-off-the-bone: 1
leftover: 1
The method to make Oven Braised Ham Hock
Start the ham hock in a hot oven so you can get the fat nice and crispy. After about 30 minutes, add some bay leaves, a couple of cinnamon sticks, and some juniper berries. Cover your baking dish and let it cook for 2-3 hours.
You want it to be so tender and succulent! It will just come right off the bone. And the flavor? Amazing! The onions and garlic mixed with the cinnamon and juniper berries is SO good!.
How to buy ham hocks …
Unless you buy a half hog from a farmer! If your store doesn’t have ham hocks, ask the butcher if they can get them for you. They are in the freezer at my grocery store and are usually cut into smaller pieces. If thats how you find them, youll need to buy four.
As you can see, mine is all one piece and weighs about three pounds.
Salt and pepper the ham hock a lot, then put it on a bed of sliced onions and garlic. Depending on the onion size, youll need one or two. You want enough onions slices to cover the bottom of the braising dish.
Cooking Smoked Ham Hocks
FAQ
How long does it take for smoked ham hocks to get tender?
How long to boil a smoked ham hock?
Are smoked ham hocks fully cooked?
Can you cook smoked ham hocks on the stove?
Cooking smoked ham hocks on the stove is a great way to infuse them with flavor and create tender and delicious meat. How long does it take to cook smoked ham hocks on the stove? On average, it takes about 2 to 3 hours to cook smoked ham hocks on the stove.
How long do smoked ham hocks take to cook?
The cooking time for smoked ham hocks can vary depending on the method used and the size of the hocks. Generally, it can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours for the meat to become tender and fully cooked. It’s essential to cook them low and slow to allow the flavors to develop and the meat to become meltingly tender.
How long do you boil ham hocks?
Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the water to a boil. Once the water reaches boiling point, reduce the heat to low and let the ham hock simmer gently for about 2 to 2 ½ hours.
How do you cook ham hocks in a crock pot?
Brown them on all sides for a few minutes. Once browned, add water or broth to the pot, covering the ham hocks completely. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 2-3 hours, or until the meat becomes tender and easily falls off the bone.