What to do with that Ham Bone (ham hock)

(pic from Natures Variety)

One of our followers, Erin, had a question on facebook that I would like to attempt at answering real quick. The question was this:

Any suggestions on what to do with the leftover bone from my bone-in ham? Bring on the ideas, ladies!

Out of the Box Mommy’s answer:

Great question. There are about a million soup recipes that use “ham bone”, also known as “ham hock”. Most of them use dried beans or dried peas. I’ll give you the easiest I know of, and then a heartier option. Also know that you can use our recipe for split pea soup, and substitute the ham chunks for ham bone, and get great results.

EASIEST HAM BONE RECIPE
16 oz. dried beans (Navy beans, but really any will do)
1 ham bone
6 cups water

Soak beans 6-8 hours overnight in 6-8 cups of water (or follow “quick soak” directions on bean package or use canned/jarred beans). Drain.

Put soaked beans, 6 cups water and ham bone in slow cooker. Cook on low 8 hours or as long as you can stand it.

Serve with corn bread, if desired.

HEARTY BEAN SOUP

1 pkg. Hamm beans or 2 c. mixed dried beans
1 ham bone or ham hock (or 1 lb. ham chunks)
2 1/3 tsp. bouquet garni (can buy in the spice section)
3 qts. water
28 oz. can tomatoes
2 lg. onions, chopped (2 c.)
4 ribs celery, chopped (2 c.)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage (optional)
Salt & pepper
Chopped fresh parsley

Rinse beans under cold running water. Drain. Place in 8 quart Dutch oven with ham bone, bouquet garni and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered 2 1/2 to 3 hours, adding water as necessary to keep beans covered. Add tomatoes, onions, celery and garlic. Simmer, covered, 1 1/2 hours. If using sausage, cut in 1″ chunks and add. Simmer 30 minutes longer. Remove from heat; add salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley before serving. 10 (1 cup) servings without sausage.Hope this helps! Anyone else have any great ideas on how to use that ham bone left over from Easter?

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Comments

Ethiopianmomma says

April 6, 2010 at 4:13 pm

We make split pea soup. Funny, its on my meal plan for next week! For sure save that ham bone and use it. It really adds flavor to soups!!

The Keevy Family says

April 6, 2010 at 4:22 pm

Thanks for the inspiration that I needed for what to make for dinner. I’ve had a ham hock in the freezer since Christmas that I was needing to use up. I’ll be making this and adding in beans that I’ve already cooked (had those in the freezer too!) closer to the finish time. Thanks again!

Jane

MommaHughes says

April 7, 2010 at 2:10 am

Awww…Sweet Mrs. Keevy. Haven’t checked your blog in a while. Just saw that you are 27 days away from your due date!!! This being your third, you may be just a couple of weeks away even!!! You’ll be a mommy of three soon!!! How exciting! I don’t know about you but by the third I was not in any hurry to have the baby born. 🙂