Smoked ham hocks are a delicious cut of meat that provides deep, smoky flavor perfect for soups, beans, collard greens, and more. But cooking them using traditional braising methods can take hours. Enter the Instant Pot – this versatile kitchen tool lets you cook incredibly tender, flavorful smoked ham hocks in a fraction of the time.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through step-by-step instructions for cooking smoked ham hocks in an Instant Pot. You’ll also find useful tips for maximizing flavor, suggested cook times, and delicious recipe ideas. Let’s get started!
Benefits of Cooking Smoked Ham Hocks in an Instant Pot
Cooking smoked ham hocks in an Instant Pot has several advantages over slow braising
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Super fast cook times – Smoked ham hocks can be ready in 40-60 minutes using the pressure cooking setting versus simmering for hours on the stove or in the oven.
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Intensified flavor – The pressurized environment helps drive smoky flavors deep into the meat
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Tender, fall-off-the-bone meat – Pressure cooking breaks down tough connective tissues, resulting in succulent meat that falls right off the bone.
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Hands-free convenience – Just throw in your ingredients, set it, and let the Instant Pot work its magic. No need for constant monitoring.
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Nutrient retention – The quick cook time helps retain more vitamins and minerals compared to slow cooking.
Ingredients Needed
To cook smoked ham hocks in an Instant Pot, all you need is:
- 2-3 smoked ham hocks (about 2 pounds total)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cups chicken or ham broth
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper
Optional seasonings: 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder
Step-by-Step Instant Pot Instructions
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Season the ham hocks: Pat the ham hocks dry and season all over with salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings. This adds flavor and helps create a nice browning.
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Sauté the aromatics: Select the Sauté function on your Instant Pot. Once hot, add 1 tbsp oil and sauté the onion, garlic, carrots and celery for 3-5 minutes until starting to soften.
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Add cooking liquid: Pour in the broth and add bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Give a good stir to combine.
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Pressure cook: Place seasoned ham hocks into pot, nestling them into the vegetables and liquid. Lock the lid and make sure the pressure release valve is sealed. Select Manual/Pressure Cook at high pressure for 40-60 minutes (see cook time notes below).
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Natural release: Once cooking completes, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 15 minutes before turning the venting knob to release remaining steam.
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Remove ham hocks & shred meat: Use tongs to transfer ham hocks to a plate. Discard skin/bones/fat then shred or chop meat.
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Finish dish: Add shredded ham back to pot. Season and adjust consistency as needed. Serve hot and enjoy!
Helpful Tips for Best Results
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Browning the ham hocks before pressure cooking adds deeper flavor.
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For a heartier flavor, use ham or chicken stock instead of water.
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Letting the pressure release naturally prevents overcooking and helps lock in moisture.
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Cook times can vary based on size of hocks. 40 mins for 1-2 smaller hocks, or up to 60 mins for very large.
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The cooking liquid makes a delicious soup base. Strain and use as a starter for bean soup, collard greens, etc.
Recipe Ideas
Smoked ham hocks cooked in the Instant Pot are extremely versatile. Here are just a few delicious ways to use them:
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Split Pea and Ham Soup – Simmer cooked ham with peas, onions, carrots and celery in the flavorful cooking liquid.
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Red Beans and Rice – Combine cooked ham hocks with kidney beans, onions, bell pepper, celery, garlic, thyme, and cajun seasoning.
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Collard Greens – Sauté collard greens with onions and garlic then simmer with chopped ham hocks and cooking liquid.
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Navy Bean Soup – Cook navy beans directly with ham hocks, carrots, onions, celery, garlic, and bay leaves.
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Ham and Potato Soup – Purée cooked ham hocks with Russet potatoes, onions, garlic, and chicken stock for a thick, comforting soup.
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Ham Bone Stew – Toss hocks back in the pot with quartered potatoes, peas, carrots and pearl onions for a rustic one-pot meal.
The possibilities are endless! Use cooked ham hocks in soups, stews, casseroles, greens, beans, pot pies, and more.
Common Questions
Can you cook frozen ham hocks in an Instant Pot?
Yes, but they may require longer cook times. It’s best to thaw them first in the refrigerator overnight.
Do you need to soak ham hocks before cooking?
No, soaking is not required since they are cured. You can cook them immediately after seasoning.
How long do smoked ham hocks take in a slow cooker?
In a slow cooker, smoked ham hocks take 6-8 hours on low heat. The Instant Pot decreases cook time significantly.
What’s the minimum PSI to cook ham hocks?
Ham hocks should be pressure cooked on high pressure, which is typically around 10-11.5 PSI on most Instant Pot models. Do not use lower pressure settings.
Can you pressure cook ham hocks from raw?
It’s best to use fully cooked, smoked ham hocks. Raw ham hocks may need additional cooking time and do not have the same flavor.
Satisfying Smoked Ham Hocks in No Time
Thanks to the Instant Pot, you can now enjoy fall-off-the-bone tender smoked ham hocks in a fraction of the traditional cooking time. Follow the steps above for perfectly cooked ham hocks bursting with smoky richness. Then use them to add hearty flavor to your favorite soups, stews, beans, and more!
Pro Tip: Save your homemade ham stock in the freezer to add savory flavor to dishes anytime.
Let us know how your smoked ham hocks turn out in the comments below! Share your favorite recipe creations featuring this satisfying cut of meat.
How To Cook Ham Hocks In Instant Pot
Cooking ham hocks in an Instant Pot is a must-try recipe if you like hearty, flavorful food. With the Instant Pot, you can cook ham hocks that are tender and fall off the bone in a fraction of the time it takes to cook them the old-fashioned way. In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to cook delicious ham hocks using your Instant Pot.
What Are Ham Hocks?
The bottom part of a pig’s leg is called a ham hock. It has a rich, smoky flavor and tender meat. They are typically used in soups, stews, and braised dishes to add depth and a savory taste. There are a lot of different ways to cook ham hocks, but using an Instant Pot makes the process quick and easy.
- 2 ham hocks
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon of thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- Put salt, pepper, and thyme on the ham hocks to start. This will help enhance the flavor of the meat.
- Preheat your Instant Pot by selecting the “Saute” function. Add a tablespoon of oil and brown the ham hocks on all sides for a few minutes once the pan is hot. This step will give the finished dish a delicious caramelized taste.
- Take the ham hocks out of the pot and set them aside. Get the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery cut up and put them in the Instant Pot. It will take about 5 minutes for the vegetables to get soft.
- Add the chicken broth, bay leaf, and thyme to the pot. Stir it well.
- Putting the ham hocks back into the Instant Pot and making sure they are covered in liquid
- Put the Instant Pot’s lid back on and turn the pressure release valve to “Sealing.” ”.
- It’s time to cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. Choose “Pressure Cook” or “Manual.”
- After the cooking time is up, let the pressure drop on its own for 10 minutes. Then, carefully turn the valve that lets out pressure to “Venting” to let out any extra pressure.
- Take the ham hocks out of the Instant Pot and let them rest for a few minutes. Finally, serve them.
- You can serve the ham hocks whole, or you can shred the meat and throw away the bone and extra fat.
- Serve your tasty ham hocks with your favorite sides, like cornbread, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
Not only does cooking ham hocks in an Instant Pot save time, but it also gives the meat great flavor. The pressure cooking process lets the flavors get deep into the meat, making ham hocks that are tender and delicious that will go well with any meal. Please try this recipe; it might become a new favorite in your kitchen! Let us know what you think and how you’ve cooked ham hocks in the Instant Pot in our