Unlocking Maximum Flavor in a Fraction of the Time: Cooking Frozen Ham Hocks in an Instant Pot

Ham hocks are the ultimate comfort food ingredient. They impart incredible depth of flavor and fall-off-the-bone texture to soups, stews, greens, beans and more. While traditionally braised or simmered for hours to achieve tenderness, ham hocks can now be cooked to perfection in under an hour thanks to the Instant Pot. Cooking frozen ham hocks in the Instant Pot produces all the rich, savory flavor you crave with a fraction of the effort. If you love ham hocks but don’t have hours to wait for dinner, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to cook frozen ham hocks in the Instant Pot.

Why Cook Ham Hocks in the Instant Pot?

Cooking ham hocks in the Instant Pot offers numerous benefits over conventional simmering. Most importantly, the pressurized environment allows ham hocks to become meltingly tender in 40-60 minutes instead of 2-3 hours. The Instant Pot also concentrates flavor by preventing evaporation. Ham hocks cooked in the Instant Pot emerge ultra moist and infused with delicious seasoned liquid. Finally, the hands-off convenience of the Instant Pot allows the cook to multitask instead of monitoring a braise. For fast and fuss-free ham hocks, look no further than the Instant Pot.

Proper Thawing Prevents Pressure Cooking Pitfalls

While the Instant Pot speeds up ham hock cook times exponentially, there are still a couple important steps to take for the best results Always thaw frozen ham hocks fully in the refrigerator before pressure cooking. Adding frozen ham hocks to the Instant Pot can lead to uneven cooking Expect a 1-2 lb package of ham hocks to need roughly 24 hours in the fridge to thaw completely. Remove the thawed hocks from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to take the chill off. Pat dry with paper towels before adding seasonings or liquid. With this advance prep, you’ll be ready to pressure cook like a pro.

Layer on the Flavor with Bold Seasonings

One of the secrets to amazing Instant Pot ham hocks is loading them up with big, bold herbs and spices. The concentrated environment of the Instant Pot means seasonings get infused directly into the meat. For two ham hocks, use at least 1 tablespoon each of paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme and dried oregano. Sprinkle the seasonings evenly over both sides of the thawed ham hocks, pressing to adhere. Let them marinate while you prep the remaining ingredients for maximum flavor absorption. Cayenne, onion powder, salt and pepper are also excellent additions.

Liquid is Crucial

While seasonings add big flavor liquid is what allows the ham hocks to cook up tender. Use at least 1 cup of broth, wine or water per ham hock in the Instant Pot. Chicken or vegetable broth are great choices, as are acidic liquids like apple cider white wine or beer. The liquid steams the meat while also absorbing all the seasoned flavor. For a heartier dish, try using tomato juice or coconut milk as the cooking liquid. Avoid thick liquids like heavy cream, which can scorch.

Elevate with Aromatics

Aromatic vegetables are a simple way to add complexity of flavor to Instant Pot ham hocks without much work. Try adding a chopped onion, two minced garlic cloves, and two diced carrots per 1-2 ham hocks. Softer veggies like chopped bell pepper, celery, mushrooms or tomato also pair well. For bolder flavor, use leeks, shallots or fennel in place of onion. The aromatics infuse the liquid with their essence, adding layers of flavor.

Let Pressure Release Naturally

Once the ham hocks have pressure cooked for 40-60 minutes, resist the urge to quickly release the pressure. Allow the pressure to come down naturally for at least 15-20 minutes before venting any remaining steam and unlocking the lid. This gradual release allows the collagen in the ham hocks to fully break down and moistness to redistribute. Quick releasing can cause the meat to seize up and become dry. Let the aromatics and cooking liquid work their magic for the ideal tender, juicy ham hocks.

Transform Leftovers

Leftover Instant Pot ham hocks make delicious next day meals. Slice them and add to sandwiches, tacos, pizza and salads for a tasty protein boost. For breakfast, pair diced ham hocks with eggs, cheese, and veggies in burritos or frittata. Another great option is shredding or chopping the ham hocks to make hearty ham and vegetable soup. Don’t discard that flavorful ham hock cooking liquid either! Use it to cook grains, beans or as the base for soups or gravy.

Instant Pot Ham Hocks and Collard Greens

This easy recipe produces classic Southern flavor in the Instant Pot:

Ingredients:

• 2 thawed, seasoned ham hocks
• 1 bunch collard greens, stemmed and chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1⁄2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Pat the ham hocks dry and rub all over with smoked paprika, salt and pepper.

2. Place onions, garlic, ham hocks, collard greens and broth in Instant Pot. Stir to combine.

3. Seal and cook at high pressure for 40 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally for 20 minutes.

4. Vent any remaining steam. Remove lid carefully.

5. Transfer ham hocks to a plate. Shred meat from bones once cool enough to handle.

6. Add shredded meat back to pot. Stir in vinegar and season to taste.

7. Serve greens over rice, topped with ham hock meat.

Cooking frozen ham hocks in the Instant Pot unlocks all their luscious flavor in a fraction of the usual time. Perfectly seasoned, tender meat and rich concentrated cooking liquid can be yours in just an hour’s time. Follow the simple steps above for thawing, seasoning and pressure cooking, and you’ll have the soul-warming taste of ham hocks any night of the week. Once you discover how easily they can be prepared in the Instant Pot, you may never simmer ham hocks low and slow again!