For lovers of rich, smoky flavors, tasso ham is a coveted Southern ingredient that can elevate everything from jambalaya to red beans and rice. However, this seasoned smoked pork shoulder can be tricky to find outside the South. If you’ve searched in vain for tasso at your local deli counter, don’t lose hope! With the rising popularity of Cajun-Creole cooking nationwide, tasso is becoming more widely available. This guide will explore the best places to track down tasso ham close to home.
What is Tasso Ham?
Before we dive into where to buy it, let’s look at what exactly tasso ham is. Tasso is a specialty cured and smoked pork shoulder or butt that originates from Cajun and Creole cuisines. It gets its trademark smoky spiciness from a dry rub containing ingredients like cayenne, garlic, black pepper, and paprika applied before smoking over pecan, oak, or hickory wood.
The smoking and curing process gives tasso an intense red color and robust flavor that sets it apart from regular ham It provides a flavor boost to Southern staples like gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and more Tasso can be found pre-sliced or in whole chunks perfect for dicing up yourself.
Checking Local Specialty Markets and Butcher Shops
Now that your mouth is watering for some tasso, let’s explore procurement options One of the best places to check is local specialty food stores or butcher shops in your area Businesses specializing in artisanal meats and Southern fare are most likely to carry tasso ham. Some options to look for
- Independent butcher shops
- Meat markets
- Creole/Cajun niche markets
- Southern/soul food stores
- Gourmet food shops
- Farmers markets
Call ahead to see if they stock tasso or take a trip to browse their selection in person. These local retailers can be an excellent source for high-quality, house-made tasso.
Large Grocery Store Chains
While they may not offer house-cured options many large mainstream grocery store chains now sell pre-packaged tasso ham
- Kroger – Look near the deli counter
- Food Lion – Find it in the specialty meats section
- Piggly Wiggly – Check the Cajun/Creole aisle
- Publix – Available at the deli counter
- Wegmans – Find it in the cured/smoked meats aisle
- Whole Foods – Sold vacuum-packed in the pork department
Call your neighborhood branch ahead of time to see if they carry tasso in stock. Some locations in the South are more likely to regularly stock it.
Online Mail Order and Subscription Boxes
Can’t find tasso ham locally? Turn to the web! A growing number of online retailers ship tasso nationwide:
- Cajun Grocer – Choose from multiple tasso varieties
- Tony’s Seafood – Order smoked tasso from New Orleans
- The Gumbo Shop – Offers Creole seasoning-rubbed tasso
- Foods of the Delta – Ships smoked Chisesi’s Cajun tasso
- Cajun Turkey – Sells sliced, smoked pecanwood tasso
- Louisiana Crawfish Company – Offers Zummo smoked tasso
Online ordering means you can get authentic tasso shipped direct to your door, no matter where you live!
Tasso Ham Recipe Kits
For the ultimate convenience, look for tasso ham recipe kits that provide the tasso plus additional ingredients:
- Rouses – Smoked Tasso Ham Jambalaya Kit
- Rex Cajun – Red Beans and Rice Kit with Tasso
- Oakridge BBQ – Jambalaya Grilling Plank with Tasso
- My Spicer – Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Kit
- Cajun Nosh – Jambalaya Dinner Kit
These kits offer pre-portioned tasso so you can easily whip up classic Southern dishes at home.
Tips for Cooking with Tasso
Once you’ve sourced your tasso, it’s time for the fun part – using it! Follow these tips:
- Add diced tasso to jambalaya, gumbo, or red beans as a flavor boost.
- Sauté slices in a pan to render the fat, then incorporate into dishes.
- Grill or pan-fry slices for delicious tasso bacon.
- Dice and freeze portions to have tasso always on hand.
With so many sources available, every home cook can now infuse dishes with authentic tasso ham flavor. What will you make first? Share your favorite tasso recipes in the comments!
How to Make Tasso Ham | Tips & Techniques
FAQ
What is a substitute for tasso ham?
What is the difference between tasso and ham?
Is tasso refrigerated?
Is smoked tasso fully cooked?
What is a Tasso ham?
Tasso is a specialty of south Louisiana Cajun cuisine. Tasso ham is made from the hogs shoulder. This cut is typically very flavorful, because the muscle in the shoulder is constantly used by the animal. In Bayou cuisine, tasso is typically used to season dishes like soups, gumbo, grits, rice, and gravies. Tasso is a spicy smoked ham for seasoning.
Where can I buy Tasso ham in Louisiana?
If you live in Louisiana, you’ll likely find tasso at specialty grocery stores and butcher shops. Outside Louisiana, it’s hard to get at the store. Luckily, you can find it online from Amazon and Walmart. D’Artagnan also sells a nitrate- and nitrite-free tasso ham.
Is Tasso ham ready to eat?
Tasso Ham is ready-to-eat and sometimes the foodie eats it solely. But a more common way of enjoying this ham is to use it as a part of flavor base for stews, soup and gravy. Alternatively, you can add it in crab cakes, gumbo, pasta, and rice. You may find this ham in Cajun cuisine, where it is the origin of Tasso Ham, such as jambalaya.
How do you make a Tasso ham?
To make tasso ham, a boneless pork shoulder is sliced into one-inch steaks (although it’s sometimes cured whole and sliced later). The meat is salt-cured for a few hours before being heavily spiced with Cajun seasoning. Finally, the ham is smoked until it’s fully cooked, loading it with a rich flavor that’s hard to beat.