Ham is a delicious and popular meat that graces holiday tables and brings joy to many meals However, once the tasty ham meat is gone, you’re often left with the fat and skin. Instead of throwing these parts away, get creative with recipes that transform them into tasty treats!
The skin and fat from a baked ham are full of rich, porky flavor With a little effort, you can make crunchy cracklings, flavorful lard, soups, seasonings and more This article will provide 12 recipes to make the most of your leftover ham fat and skin.
Why Save Ham Fat and Skin?
Ham fat is mostly monounsaturated fat which is considered a healthy type of fat that protects heart health. The skin is loaded with collagen which turns into gelatin when simmered in liquid. Gelatin provides many health benefits for joints, skin, hair, and digestion.
The skin and fat also have tons of pork flavor. Adding them to recipes gives a tasty boost of umami richness. With the simple rendering and cooking methods below, you can transform these often discarded parts into delicious ingredients. Be resourceful and get the most out of your ham!
How to Render Ham Fat
Before using the ham fat in recipes, it helps to render it. This involves slowly melting the fat and allowing the liquids to evaporate. Here are some simple methods for rendering:
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Stovetop – Dice the fat and cook over low heat for 2-3 hours until liquefied and golden brown. Stir frequently and watch to prevent burning.
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Slow cooker – Add diced fat to a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours until melted. Stir occasionally.
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Oven – Place diced fat in a pan and bake at 250°F for 2-3 hours until liquefied.
Once fully rendered, strain the liquid fat through a cheesecloth to remove any solids. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 months.
1. Ham Fat for Cooking
Once rendered, you can use ham fat just like you would use oil or lard in cooking. It has a high smoke point so works well for frying and roasting. Substitute ham fat for oils in recipes for eggs, potatoes, veggies and more. The porky flavor takes ordinary dishes up a notch!
2. Refried Ham Fat Beans
Transform canned beans into a hearty, Southwest-inspired dish with ham fat. Simply sauté onion and garlic in a tablespoon of ham fat, then add cumin, chipotle powder and canned beans. Mash some of beans to thicken. Top with diced ham, avocado and queso fresco.
3. Ham Fat Rough Puff Pastry
Use rendered ham fat in place of butter in puff pastry recipes. Rough puff pastry made with ham fat has delicious layers perfect for pot pies and other baked goods. Fold the dough with ham fat instead of regular butter for a savory flavor.
4. Slow Cooker Ham Bone Soup
Don’t throw out the ham bone! Simmer it in water with vegetables, garlic and herbs to extract rich flavor. Add ham skin and fat too. Once cooked, remove the bone but leave the ham bits. The natural gelatin thickens the broth into a hearty soup.
5. Ham Fat Roasted Potatoes
Coating potatoes with rendered ham fat makes them irresistibly crispy and delicious. Rough up russet or red potatoes so fat adheres well. Toss in ham fat, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Roast at 425°F until browned and crispy.
6. Ham Skin Snack Cracklings
Turn leftover ham skin into a crunchy, porky snack. Simply cut skin into pieces, season with salt and pepper and bake at 300°F for 1-2 hours until dried and crispy. These are great on salads, soups or just for snacking. Goes well with a cold beer!
7. Black Eyed Peas with Ham
Leftover diced ham combines perfectly with black eyed peas in this simple Southern comfort food dish. Sauté trinity veggies in ham fat then add canned black eyed peas, broth and ham pieces. Season with smoked paprika and cayenne. Simmer until thickened.
8. Ham Fat Fried Rice
Elevate boring rice into something special by frying it in ham fat. Follow standard fried rice technique, sautéing onions, peas, carrots and egg in the fat. Toss in cooked rice and diced ham. The porky flavor takes this dish over the top.
9. Ham Skin Furikake
This Japanese dried seasoning gets a smoky twist when made with ham skin. Blitz skin in a food processor then mix with sesame seeds, dried seaweed, sugar and salt. Sprinkle on rice, fish and veggies for a savory, crunchy topping.
10. Ham Hock Split Pea Soup
Add a smoked ham hock and ham skin to split pea soup for incredible depth of flavor. Simmer ham hock and skin in water before adding split peas, vegetables and seasoning. The natural collagen creates a thick, creamy broth.
11. Ham Fat Pie Crust
Get creative with your pie crust by using ham fat in place of some or all of the butter. Cut cold ham fat into the dry ingredients before adding a bit of ice water. Ham fat makes the flakiest, most flavorful pie crust.
12. Ham Skin Furikake Rice Bowl
Top rice bowls with ham skin furikake for a quick weeknight meal. Cook rice then pile into bowls and top with sautéed veggies, fried egg, nori strips and ham skin furikake. The seasoning adds the perfect savory crunch.
Tips for Storing Ham Fat and Skin
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Refrigerate fresh ham fat and skin for up to 4 days.
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Rendered ham fat keeps for 2 months in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer.
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Cooked ham skin cracklings keeps for 1 week in an airtight container.
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Crumble and freeze unused raw skin in a ziplock bag for up to 4 months.
With these creative recipes, you can transform leftover ham fat and skin into delicious new dishes. Waste not, want not! Now get cooking and savor all that wonderful ham flavor.
Ham Fat Cooking FAQs
Is it safe to cook with ham fat?
Yes, ham fat is generally safe for cooking. Look for quality hams from reputable sources. Render the fat thoroughly to evaporate any moisture that could spoil it. Refrigerate rendered fat and use within 2 months.
What recipes work well with ham fat?
Ham fat adds delicious flavor to Southern recipes like beans, greens, eggs and potatoes. It’s also great for making pie crusts, pastries, biscuits and scones. Use it anywhere you want a savory, porky flavor.
Does ham fat need to be refrigerated?
Raw ham fat should be refrigerated and used within 4 days. Once rendered, ham fat can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 months or frozen for up to 6 months. Keep rendered fat in an airtight container.
How long does rendered ham fat last?
Properly rendered and stored ham fat will last 2 months in the refrigerator or 6 months in the freezer. If it develops an off smell or flavor, it has gone rancid and should be discarded.
What is the smoke point of ham fat?
Like lard, ham fat has a high smoke point around 375-400°F making it suitable for frying and roasting at high heats. This helps avoid oxidation that happens with oils that smoke at lower temperatures.
Can you use ham fat for pie crust?
Yes! Using some ham fat in place of regular butter is a great way to add savory flavor to your pie crust recipe. Just cut it into dry ingredients as you normally would with butter before adding the liquid.
How do you make cracklings from ham skin?
Cut skin into pieces, place on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F for 1-2 hours until super crispy. Season with salt and pepper. For extra crispiness, fry the baked cracklings again at 350°F for 1-3 minutes.
What’s the best way to store leftover ham skin?
Leftover fresh ham skin keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge. For longer storage, freeze skin for 4-6 months in a sealed plastic freezer bag. Defrost before using in recipes.
How long does ham skin take to get crispy?
Baking times can vary based on thickness. Generally, ham skin takes 1-3 hours in a 300°F oven to fully dehydrate and become crispy. Frying for an additional 1-3 minutes makes the cracklings extra crispy.
Can you make dog treats with ham skin?
Yes, baked or fried ham skin cracklings make great high-value treats for dogs. Just beware of excess salt and fat content if your dog has health issues. Moderation is key when feeding fatty treats.
Final Thoughts
Ham fat and skin are often discarded, but they deserve a chance to shine
