Can You Dehydrate Ham? A Step-by-Step Guide to Make Delicious Dried Ham

Ham is a flavorful and versatile meat that is a staple at many holiday meals and gatherings It’s traditionally served fully cooked, which makes it an ideal candidate for dehydrating. Dehydrated ham can be a handy ingredient to have on hand for quick snacks or easy additions to soups, casseroles, beans, and more

But can you really dehydrate fully cooked ham at home? Is the process difficult or time consuming? In this complete guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about dehydrating ham including

• Benefits of dehydrated ham
• Tips for selecting and preparing ham
• Step-by-step dehydrating process
• Testing doneness
• Storing and rehydrating
• Delicious ways to enjoy dehydrated ham

Why might you want to dry out ham? Let’s look at how to make perfect dried ham every time.

Benefits of Dehydrating Ham

Dehydrating is a great way to preserve cooked ham and make it more versatile in your pantry. Here are some of the benefits:

• Long shelf life – Properly dehydrated and stored ham can last 6-12 months at room temperature

• Space saving – Removes excess moisture and reduces volume by up to 75%. Easy to tuck away.

• Lightweight – Dried ham weighs much less, perfect for camping or emergency kits.

• Convenient – Ready to eat snacks or fast soup and meal additions.

• Intensified flavor – The ham flavor concentrates during dehydrating for a more intense taste.

• Versatile – Use dried diced ham in many dishes like soups, casseroles, potatoes, rice, etc.

With so many advantages, dehydrating ham at home is definitely worth considering.

Selecting and Preparing Ham for Dehydrating

Choosing the right ham and prepping it properly will set you up for dehydrating success. Follow these tips:

• Fully cooked – Select a fully cooked ready-to-eat ham, not a raw cured one requiring cooking.

• Leaner cut – Opt for less fatty areas like the center rather than the fattier ends.

• Trim excess fat – Slice off any large pieces of visible fat before dehydrating.

• Portion control – Cut ham into pieces based on planned uses like snacks or recipes.

• Uniform sizing – Cut into evenly sized pieces to ensure even drying.

• Cut with the grain – Slice with the muscle grain, not against it. This produces tender dried ham.

With the right ham and prep, you’re ready to start the dehydrating process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Dehydrating Ham

Dehydrating ham is a very straightforward process. Simply follow these steps:

1. Cut Ham Into Pieces

Cut the fully cooked ham into pieces sized for your intended uses. Strips 1/2 to 1 inch wide are good for ham jerky. Smaller 1/4 inch cubes work nicely for adding to soups or casseroles.

2. Arrange on Dehydrator Trays

Distribute the ham pieces evenly in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Make sure airflow can circulate around each piece.

3. Dehydrate at 145°F

Turn the dehydrator to 145°F. This provides plenty of heat to dry the ham without risk of cooking it.

4. Rotate Trays and Blot Fat

Rotate trays and use paper towels to blot any beads of fat every few hours while dehydrating.

5. Check for Dryness

After about 5-8 hours, check for dryness. Properly dried ham will be brittle and snap when bent.

6. Condition and Cool

Turn off the dehydrator and cool for 1 hour before storing to allow moisture levels to stabilize.

With this simple process, you’ll end up with delicious dried ham ready for storage and use!

Testing Ham for Doneness

It’s important to fully dehydrate ham without over-drying it. Check for the following signs of proper doneness:

• Brittle and fractures when bent
• Lightweight and hollow sounding
• Dry and leathery with no tackiness
• 75-90% original weight loss
• No visible moisture inside when cut

If the ham strips or pieces pass these tests, they are safe for long-term storage. If any moisture remains, continue dehydrating in 1-2 hour increments.

Storing Dehydrated Ham

Like any dried food, proper storage is essential for preserving dehydrated ham. Follow these guidelines:

• Cool completely before packing. Warm ham can breed bacteria.

• Vacuum seal in mason jars or mylar bags to exclude oxygen.

• Frozen for indefinite shelf life. Thaw before using.

• Refrigeration keeps for 1-2 months.

• Room temperature is okay for 2-3 weeks when well sealed.

Proper sealing is key for storing at room temperature or in the refrigerator long-term. Without vacuum sealing, dehydrated ham will quickly go rancid.

Rehydrating Dehydrated Ham

Dehydrated ham requires rehydrating before eating for the best texture. There are a few easy rehydration methods:

• Soak in warm water for 15-30 minutes until pliable.

• Add to simmering soups, stews, or casseroles.

• Combine with hot water or broth in a sauté pan.

• Microwave in a bowl with a small amount of water.

• Steam in a steamer basket over boiling water.

Rehydrate just until the ham is soft and pliable enough for your intended use. Don’t over-soak to avoid diluting the ham flavor.

Delicious Ways to Use Dehydrated Ham

Dehydrated ham has so many handy uses for meals and snacks. Here are just a few ideas:

• Ham jerky for high protein snacks

• Add to soups and chilis for flavor

• Use in casseroles like scalloped potatoes

• Toss with rice, pasta, or vegetables

• Mix into cornbread or biscuit batter

• Fill omelets and frittatas for breakfast

• Sprinkle on salads for extra protein

• Create ham salad spreads and roll-ups

• Use in green bean or lima bean recipes

• Add to any brothy beans or lentils

• Make quick ham fried rice or stir fries

With your newly acquired dehydrating skills, you can create flavorful and nutritious dried ham to enjoy in many dishes.

The Takeaway

Dehydrating fully cooked ham at home is an easy and very worthwhile kitchen project. With the proper preparation, dehydrating process, storage, and rehydration, you can make delicious dried ham that will last for months in your pantry. Keep some on hand for portable protein or anytime you need to add extra ham flavor to soups, casseroles, rice, beans, snacks, and more!