As a home cook and foodie, I’m always seeking out new and interesting ingredients to experiment with in the kitchen. And one of my absolute favorites is pork knuckle – also known as ham hock This cut offers incredibly rich, succulent meat and that signature unctuous gelatin that makes the best gravy and soups. But it can be tricky tracking down high-quality pork knuckles depending on where you live
In this guide, I’ll share my best tips for finding delicious, fresh pork knuckles in your area. Whether visiting specialty butchers, farmers’ markets, or scrolling online delivery sites, I’ve got you covered on where to source the good stuff!
Checking with Butchers for High-Quality Pork Knuckles
My first stop when pork knuckle cravings strike is always the local butcher shop. Many independent butchers pride themselves on offering more unique or hard-to-find cuts like pork knuckles.
Ask your butcher if they carry fresh pork knuckles and if so, what’s their supply like. Are they from locally raised pigs? Do they sell out quickly? How large are the knuckles? This info helps determine if a butcher should be your go-to pork knuckle purveyor
I like to request thick, meaty knuckles, ideally 4-5 inches in diameter. And if the butcher has a rotating or inconsistent stock, get on a call list so they can give you a ring when a new batch arrives.
Pro tip: Chat up the butcher for advice on the best prep and cooking methods too! They love sharing knife skills.
Farmers Markets for Fresh Local Pork Knuckles
Another favorite place to source pork knuckles is farmers’ markets – especially ones featuring local meat producers.
The quality of pasture-raised pork at markets is tough to beat. And vendors are usually very knowledgeable about their offerings. Ask questions about the pigs’ diet, quality of life, etc. This helps you get the tastiest, most humanely raised pork.
I like going mid-morning, so the pick of the litter is still available and the butcher can wrap up a few knuckles to take home. Perfect for stews, soups and gravy all week long!
Pro tip: Grab the vendor’s card and ask about placing special orders for larger quantities of knuckles.
Ordering Online for Convenience (and Hard-to-Find Cuts)
Can’t find pork knuckles nearby? Turn to online mail order meats!
Specialty e-tailers like Porter Road, Crowd Cow, and Snake River Farms offer premium pork knuckles shipped on ice right to your door. The selections are drool-worthy and include rare breeds and heritage pork you won’t find in stores.
Choose overnight shipping and carefully inspect the packaging upon arrival. Online ordered knuckles should be chilled, vacuum sealed, and surrounded by frozen gel packs.
Pro tip: Order a few extra knuckles to freeze for later since you’re already paying for shipping!
What to Look for When Buying Pork Knuckles
Now you know where to start looking, but what should you look for when selecting individual pork knuckles? Follow these tips for picking the best:
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Size – Choose hefty knuckles, at least 4 inches wide. More meat!
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Color – Reddish-pink skin without dark spots. Sign of freshness.
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Flexibility – Skin should be pliable, not stiff and dry.
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Aroma – Fresh, mild pork smell. No off odors.
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Pack date – As recent as possible. Consume within 4-7 days.
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Fat cap – 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch layer is ideal. Provides flavor.
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Bone – Sturdy, not cracked or splintered.
Your patience in sourcing excellent pork knuckles will really pay off when it comes time to transform these underrated cuts into succulent roasts, stews, or smoky split pea soup!
And don’t forget the leftover bones make insanely good stock. Trust me, the knuckle search is well worth it.
The Instacart guide to pork shank roasts
- When you buy pork, the front legs are called shanks. They usually have a good amount of meat to bone. It’s usually pretty lean, with not much fat, and the collagen in the bone makes any dish taste better.
- The part on the bottom of each leg is called a pork hock. Protein, fat, meat, and collagen make up about equal parts of it. Pork hocks are usually used to add flavor to other foods rather than being eaten on their own. A lot of people like cured ham hocks or smoked pork hocks because they taste even better.
Pork shank and pork shoulder cuts come from adjacent areas. Like pork hocks, however, pork shoulders and pork shanks have several key differences. Pork shoulders come from the area just above the front legs, or the shank. Because this is one of the most muscular areas of a pig, the shoulder tends to be much meatier with less marbling. It can be more challenging to cook than a fattier cut like a pork rib-eye steak. In many cases, that means shoulders are some of the most inexpensive cuts of pork. Some of the most popular methods for preparing shoulders are the same as those for pork shank roasts. For example, both are great when braised. However, pork shoulder can also be turned into ground pork, which means you can also fry, bake, or grill it. Yes, you can keep pork shanks in the freezer for between four and 12 months. If you find a great sale price on pork shank, you might consider stocking up and freezing what you wont use right away. When youre ready to prepare your pork shank roast, give yourself plenty of time to defrost it. Most pork cuts need a day to defrost in the refrigerator. Once it thaws out, its essential to cook your pork shank roast within three to five days. If you have leftovers after your meal, you can re-refrigerate pork shanks after cooking them. The USDA recommends enjoying pork leftovers within three to four days of cooking. When refrigerating your leftover pork shanks, be sure to store them in an airtight container or wrap them with a food-safe material.
The pork knuckle recipe that has gathered millions of views on Youtube!
FAQ
What is another name for pork knuckles?
What is the difference between a ham hock and a pork knuckle?
Can you buy ham hocks at the grocery store?
What is a pork knuckle?
What is pork knuckle?
Of the many things Germans have perfected, pork roast is right up there. And key to this meaty art is of course amazing crackling, something most recipes fall short on with Pork Knuckle … but we cracked the code! Pork Knuckle – sometimes called Pig Knuckle – is as Bavarian as Oktoberfest, lederhosen and BMW.
Are pork knuckles smoked?
Pork knuckles / hocks cut from the front legs of a pig are smaller and often smoked to make smoked ham hocks, for dishes like Pea & Ham Soup. Note also that sometimes pork knuckles / hocks are sold brined (salted) as pickled hocks or ham hocks. Lightly brined knuckles may be suitable for this recipe, however I have not tested this.
Where can I buy German Pork Knuckles?
For German Pork Knuckle, you must use hindquarter (ie. rear legs) Pork Knuckles because they are meatier. Ask for this at butchers as they sometimes have it out back, or order. The easiest place to find it in Sydney is at Asian butchers! Even if not on display, they will probably have it out the back or frozen.
Where can I buy pork hock?
Buy your favorite Pork Hock online with Instacart. Order Pork Hock from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours. Are pork hocks healthy? Do you remove the skin from the ham hock? Can someone be allergic to pork hock?