How to Cook a Delicious Picnic Ham on the Stove

Cooking a tasty picnic ham on the stove is easier than you think! With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can make a juicy, flavorful picnic ham right on your stovetop. As a busy home cook, I love that this method doesn’t require firing up the grill or oven Let’s dive into everything you need to know to master stovetop picnic ham

What is a Picnic Ham?

A picnic ham, also known as a pork shoulder picnic roast, comes from the upper part of the front leg of the pig It’s a nicely marbled cut that consists of a pork shoulder attached to part of the arm bone. Picnic hams are available both bone-in and boneless They tend to be inexpensive, making them a budget-friendly choice for feeding a crowd.

Compared to a traditional cured ham from the hind leg, picnic hams have a moderately strong pork flavor. They shine when prepared using moist cooking methods like braising, stewing, or boiling. The bone-in variety imparts extra flavor during cooking.

Benefits of Cooking on the Stove

There are a few advantages to preparing your picnic ham on the stovetop rather than the oven:

• Convenience: No need to preheat the oven or grill. Just place your pot or pan on the stove and you’re ready to start cooking.

• Better moisture retention: The enclosed environment of a covered pot traps in steam and seals in juices.

• More control over temperature: You can easily adjust the stovetop burner’s temperature as needed.

• Richer flavor development: Braising in liquid builds tons of flavor.

• Hands-off cooking: Once it reaches a simmer, a covered pot or Dutch oven basically cooks the ham for you.

Step-by-Step Stovetop Picnic Ham

Follow these simple steps for foolproof stovetop picnic ham every time.

Ingredients:

• 1 (3-5 lb) bone-in or boneless picnic ham
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken or ham broth
• 1⁄4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Pat the picnic ham dry. Rinse under cool water and pat very dry with paper towels. This helps the ham brown properly in the next step.

2. Sear the ham. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ham and brown well on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. This caramelizes the exterior for tons of flavor.

3. Sauté the aromatics. Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tbsp oil, onion, and garlic. Cook, stirring, until softened, 3-4 minutes.

4. Simmer. Pour in broth, vinegar, brown sugar, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook at a gentle simmer for 25-30 minutes per pound, until fork tender.

5. Make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp broth from pot with 2 tbsp brown sugar until smooth. Brush all over ham during last 30 minutes of cooking.

6. Finish and rest. Once fully cooked, transfer ham to a cutting board to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

And that’s it! With this easy stovetop method, you’ll have a flavorful picnic ham with a sweet and tangy glaze in about 4 hours or less.

Stovetop Picnic Ham Recipe Variations

Once you master the basic technique, try one of these tasty variations:

• Apple Cider Picnic Ham: Substitute apple cider for the broth and apple cider vinegar. Leave out the brown sugar and just use it to glaze.

• Coca-Cola Picnic Ham: Use Coca-Cola instead of broth. Add minced jalapeño and cumin seeds to the pot.

• Beer Braised Picnic Ham: Swap beer for the broth. Add sliced onions, whole garlic cloves, and bay leaf to the braising liquid.

• Spicy Sriracha Picnic Ham: Whisk sriracha into the glaze. Garnish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds.

• Honey Dijon Picnic Ham: For the glaze, combine Dijon mustard, honey, and lemon juice.

The possibilities are endless once you know the basic stovetop method. Get creative with the flavors!

Tips for the Best Results

Here are a few helpful tips as you venture into stovetop picnic ham territory:

• For easier slicing, look for a boneless picnic roast. Or ask your butcher to remove the bone for you.

• Trim off the thick fat cap on top to prevent the ham from floating while simmering.

• Use a heavy bottomed Dutch oven or soup pot with a tight-fitting lid.

• Add diced vegetables like potatoes, carrots, parsnips for one-pot cooking.

• Let the cooked ham rest at least 10-15 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.

• Store leftover ham sealed in the fridge for 5-7 days. Freeze sliced ham for longer storage.

• Use the ham bone to flavor beans, vegetables, soups, and more. Don’t let it go to waste!

Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Picnic Ham

Picnic hams yield quite a bit of meat, so chances are you’ll have delicious leftovers. Here are some stellar ways to use them up:

• Toss cubed ham into scrambled eggs, omelets, or frittatas.

• Fold diced ham into biscuit dough before baking for ham biscuits.

• Make ham salad sandwiches by chopping ham with mustard, mayo, celery, and onion.

• Stuff ham and cheese into potato skins or twice-baked potatoes.

• Top pizza with chopped ham, pineapple, and mozzarella.

• Add ham to pasta primavera, stir fries, fried rice, and pasta salads.

• Mix shredded ham into dips, spreads, and cheese ball mixes.

Leftover picnic ham is incredibly versatile. With a little creativity, you’ll never get bored with the options!

Satisfy Your Crowd with Picnic Ham

When you’re looking to put an inexpensive, comforting meal on the table for a crowd, look no further than picnic ham braised on the stove. The forgiving cut cooks up moist and full of flavor with very little hands-on time required. Follow my step-by-step method for perfect stovetop picnic ham every time.

Then get creative with glazes, add-ins, and ways to repurpose the leftovers. Your family will keep begging you to make this simple and satisfying stovetop ham. Who needs the grill or oven when your stove can turn out such a hearty, budget-friendly feast?