Ham hocks are a tasty part of the pig and are used in a variety of savory dishes. The ham hock is tough because it comes from the joint on the trotter, or foot, of the pig. The ham hock is mostly made up of skin, bone, fat, and collagen. Since ham hocks are smoked, they need to be cooked for a long time before they can be eaten on their own. They are usually added to soups, stock, and pots of beans to make them taste more smoky, meaty, and rich. They are inexpensive, sold fresh and frozen, but can be difficult to find.
As a lover of Southern comfort foods, I’m always looking for new ways to cook up ham hocks. These economical and flavorful cuts of meat are culinary treasures, but it can be confusing to figure out exactly how many ham hocks come from one pig. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into everything you need to know about ham hocks, including how many are on a pig and the best ways to cook them.
What Is a Ham Hock?
First things first – what exactly is a ham hock? To put it simply, a ham hock is the joint between the pig’s tibia/fibula and metatarsals where the foot connects to the leg. It’s the lower shank end of the leg, beyond the ham or trotter
Ham hocks consist of a lot of skin tendons, and ligaments. They require long slow cooking through braising or stewing to break down these tough tissues and become tender. The cut doesn’t contain much actual meat – it’s mostly about infusing flavor.
How Many Ham Hocks on a Pig?
Now that we know what a ham hock is, how many does each pig have? Well, pigs have four feet, and each foot has one ham hock joint. So in total, there are four ham hocks on each pig.
Sometimes ham hocks are cut in half, so you may see a package labeled as containing two ham hocks that actually came from one pig foot. Either way, one pig provides enough ham hocks for multiple hearty meals!
Popular Ways to Cook Ham Hocks
Now let’s talk about the best ways to cook ham hocks to draw out their signature deep, smoky pork flavor.
Soups
Ham hocks are right at home in soups and stews. The long simmering time allows the collagen to break down into a luscious broth. Try adding ham hocks to potato soup, split pea soup, bean-based soups, and more.
Braised Greens
Braise ham hocks low and slow with cooked greens like collards, mustard greens, or cabbage. The porky richness perfectly balances the vegetal flavors.
Beans
Ham hocks give incredible flavor to pots of beans, from navy beans to pinto beans. The smokiness permeates the beans while the connective tissue helps thicken the cooking liquid.
Flavoring Agent
Cook ham hocks in flavorful liquids like chicken or vegetable stock. Once cooked, remove the meat and add the infused broth to rice, beans, greens, or gravies.
Big Pot of Flavor
Simmer ham hocks in a slow cooker with veggies like onions, carrots, and celery. After 10+ hours, the meat pulls away from the bone for tacos, sandwiches, casseroles, and more.
Global Flavors
Ham hocks shine in cuisines worldwide. Try German Eisbein, Polish Bigos, French garbure stew, Chinese red-cooked ham hocks, and more.
Serving Suggestions
Ham hocks make fantastic additions to:
- Bean soups
- Split pea soup
- Potato soup
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Cabbage
- Green beans
- Navy beans
- Pinto beans
- Chili
- Stews
- Cassoulet
- Tacos
- Sandwiches
- Cabbage rolls
- Stir fries
- Fried rice
- Congee
- Mac and cheese
- Scrapple
- Savory pies
- Gravy
With so many options, you’ll never get bored cooking ham hocks!
Selecting Ham Hocks at the Store
When buying ham hocks, look for ones with plenty of meat attached to the skin and bone. Avoid hocks that look overly fatty or dried out. Look for ones that have been naturally smoked for the most flavor.
Fresh ham hocks will need to be cooked before using. Cured, cooked hocks just need to be simmered or braised to heat through and tenderize.
Storing Ham Hocks
Fresh ham hocks will last 3-4 days in the fridge. Cooked hocks will keep for 3-4 days refrigerated or 2-3 months in the freezer. Thaw frozen ham hocks overnight in the fridge before using.
For the tastiest results, try to cook ham hocks within a couple days of purchasing. The longer they sit, the drier they become.
Get Cooking!
Now that you know all about these underappreciated pork cuts, it’s time to start cooking! Ham hocks are budget-friendly, require minimal prep, and make it easy to pump up the flavor of weekday meals.
Explore new ham hock recipes from Southern cooks, Polish babcias, and Chinese grandmas alike. You’ll discover just how versatile ham hocks can be across cuisines. From pot likker to bigos, let ham hocks transform your cooking one comforting, delicious bite at a time.
What Do Ham Hocks Taste Like?
Ham hocks have a rich, smoky, and porky taste similar to bacon. Pig knuckles give any dish a meaty flavor, and the flavor stays in the food that’s cooked with them even if they aren’t eaten.
Ham Hocks vs. Bacon
Ham hocks and bacon both add smoky, salty flavors to food that make it taste better. They make almost any dish taste richer. But ham hocks have less rendered fat and more collagen than bacon because they have a bone in them. Ham hocks are often forgotten because bacon and ham hocks can be used almost interchangeably in soups, stews, braised vegetables, and casseroles. Sometimes, though, ham hocks are cheaper and add less fat to the dish, so they might be the better choice.
Stewed Ham Hocks in Pigs Feet Broth
FAQ
How many hams do you get off of one pig?
How many hocks does a pig have?
How much meat do you get off a ham hock?
How much meat from a 200 lb pig?
Is ham hock a pig bone?
The hock is not part of the ham (the upper part of the hog’s rear legs) nor part of the foot or trotter, but rather the extreme shank end of the leg bone. Is Ham Hock Similar To A Ham Bone? While a leftover ham bone from your holiday dinner and a ham hock are two different pig parts, you can often use them interchangeably.
What does a ham hock look like?
The ham hock is the part of the pig where the foot attaches to the leg, at the very bottom of the leg bone, on both the back and front legs. This is what a ham hock looks like! What can I use in place of a ham hock?
What is a ham hock knuckle?
A ham hock (or hough) or pork knuckle is the joint between the tibia/fibula and the metatarsals of the foot of a pig, where the foot was attached to the hog ‘s leg. It is the portion of the leg that is neither part of the ham proper nor the ankle or foot ( trotter ), but rather the extreme shank end of the leg bone.
What are pork hocks?
Pork hocks, also known as pork knuckles or ham hocks, are cuts of meat that come from the lower part of a pig’s leg. They are characterized by their rich and flavorful meat, tender texture, and a good amount of connective tissues and skin. Where can I buy pork hocks?