Where to Buy Ham Bones for Making Delicious Soup

Ham bones are an essential ingredient for making flavorful bean, pea lentil or vegetable soups. The bones impart a rich smoky ham flavor as well as collagen for body. But where can you find ham bones for soup making? Read on for tips on the best places to buy ham bones and what to look for when selecting them.

Check the Pork or Ham Section of Your Grocery Store

The first place to look for ham bones is in the fresh pork/ham area of your grocery store meat department. Packaged, raw ham bones may be available. Look for ham hocks, ham knuckles or smoked ham bones. These bones still have plenty of meat attached, which will add flavor and body to soups. The meat department employee can point you toward the right section if you don’t see bones displayed.

Some grocery stores, like Kroger, sell packaged smoked ham bones in the frozen meat section. Check the freezer case near the hams and pre-cooked roasted pork. Frozen ham bones are convenient to stock up on for future soup making. Just thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before using.

Ask Your Grocer’s Butcher Counter

If the packaged ham bones at your grocery store don’t look meaty enough, ask the butcher if they have ham bones for sale. Most butcher counters at well-stocked grocers carry pork and ham bones. Explain that you want meaty ham bones for soup stock The butcher can select thick, raw ham bones with a good amount of meat attached This personal service ensures you get the best bones for optimal soup flavor.

Seek Out Specialty Butcher Shops

For the absolute best quality ham bones, visit a local specialty butcher shop. Skilled butchers at dedicated meat shops tend to carry a wider selection of meat cuts, including meaty ham bones perfect for soup making. A butcher can hand select the ideal ham bones and may even slice them to customize the size you need. They’re the experts when it comes to getting the right bones.

Purchase Ham Hocks at Ethnic Markets

Ethnic food stores are another place to look for ham bones. Mexican markets, in particular, often sell smoked ham hocks used in traditional posole soup. Asian markets may also carry ham bones for various soups and stews. The staff can point you toward their selection of soup bones.

Order Ham Bones Online

Can’t find good ham bones locally? Order them online! Specialty food stores like Heritage Foods USA sell pasture-raised ham hocks online. Or you can find ham bones through online retailers like Amazon. Look for bones that are described as meaty, smoked, or good for soup making. Shipping frozen ham bones overnight helps ensure they arrive cold and fresh.

What to Look For When Buying Ham Bones

To get the most flavor and collagen from ham bones for soup, keep these tips in mind when selecting them:

• Meaty – Bones should have a generous amount of meat attached, not just scraps. Meat adds smoky flavor.

• Smoked – Opt for smoked ham bones rather than plain pork bones for the classic smoky flavor.

• Fresh – Bones shouldn’t have an off smell or slimy appearance. Avoid old, dried out bones.

• Large – Bigger, meatier bones tend to impart more flavor than small skinny ones.

• Cut – Halved, cross-cut, or sliced bones release more flavor than whole bones. Ask the butcher to cut them.

• Affordable – You shouldn’t have to pay a premium for soup bones. Save money for premium cuts.

With practice, you’ll get better at picking out the best ham bones for making deliciously flavored homemade soups and stocks.

Tips for Cooking with Ham Bones

Once you’ve sourced some quality ham bones, use these tips to maximize their flavor in soups:

• Soak bones in water for 30 minutes to draw out excess salt before cooking.

• Brown bones in a skillet before simmering to enhance flavor.

• Add an acidic ingredient like vinegar or tomato to help extract collagen and minerals from the bones.

• Gently simmer bones for at least 2-3 hours, adding water as needed.

• Crack larger bones with a meat mallet to release marrow and flavor.

• Remove meat from bones after cooking and chop to add back to soup.

• Strain out bones after cooking but reserve broth which contains all the bone goodness.

With the right cooking techniques, those ham bones will transform a basic soup into a mouthwatering, restaurant-quality feast.

Economical and Delicious Ham Bone Soup Recipes

From bean soups to vegetable broths, ham bones lend their signature flavor and body to all kinds of soup recipes. Some delicious ways to use up ham bones include:

• Split Pea Ham Bone Soup – Smoky ham broth pairs perfectly with split green peas. Carrots, onions and potatoes round out this nourishing soup.

• Red Beans and Rice with Ham Bone – A New Orleans classic, made even better with a ham bone simmered right in the pot.

• Ham Bone Lentil Soup – Earthy lentils and diced ham meat enrich this hearty soup. Add spinach or kale for extra nutrition.

• Ham and Vegetable Soup – Almost any veggies work in this easy soup – try carrots, celery, potatoes, cabbage or greens.

• Ham Bone Pho – Charred ginger and onions, rice noodles and aromatic spices turn ham broth into Vietnamese pho.

• Ham Bone Ramen – Another Asian spin, made with miso, mushrooms and quick-cooking ramen noodles.

From thrift stores to high-end butcher shops, there are plenty of places to source flavorful ham bones for soup making. Just simmer bones with your favorite vegetables for an easy, nourishing meal that will warm you up on chilly days.