Learn how to cook a ham shank! Cooking ham shank is easier than you might think. Get tips on cooking smoked ham shank, raw pork shank, and precooked ham shanks. Keep reading to learn where to buy ham shank, how long to cook a ham shank, how to carve ham shank, and more. Save money and create a special meal with this recipe for ham shank!

What is a ham shank? Ham shank is a portion of the leg bone and muscle. Ham shanks are located just underneath the shoulder or the hip of the pig. Shank ham is a common cut for baked ham in the US.

Is shank ham precooked? Shank ham is often smoked or otherwise precooked. Raw ham shank is often called “pork shank,” though some use the terms “ham shank” and “pork shank” interchangeably.

How to cook a shank ham depends on whether the pork is raw or smoked. Today, you’ll learn how to cook a ham shank in the oven that’s raw and also one that’s cooked. Though these recipes are for how to cook a ham shank in the oven, there are also tips for slow cooker ham shank in the FAQs.

What is another name for ham shank? Ham shanks are sometimes called pork shanks. Ham shank and ham hock are not the same thing, as ham hocks come from further down the leg.

🏆 What is the best way to cook a ham shank?

IMO the best way to bake a ham shank is to slowly braise it in the oven. After we’re almost done with baking a ham shank, we turn up the heat to make a crispy skin. So good!

That’s my favorite way for cooking a ham shank that’s fresh and uncooked. For cooking a shank ham (one that’s precooked), I think glazing and baking for a shorter time produces the best results.

🍖 How to Bake a Ham Shank

When thinking about how to cook a ham shank with bone, consider braising if the pork is raw. With braising, we don’t need a ham shank marinade or sauce. The meat will be fall-off-the-bone tender, juicy, and delicious.

Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to cook pork shank (ingredient measurements are below):

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163C).

2. Use an exacto knife or utility knife to release the skin from the bottom of the pork shank, leaving a layer of fat on the meat. Leave the cut skin as a flap on each side.

3. Score the skin with the knife into a 1-inch diamond pattern, being careful not to cut into the flesh. Pat the skin dry with paper towels.

4. Brush the skin with vinegar. Sprinkle with dried sage, dried rosemary, dried thyme, salt and pepper.

5. Whisk together the chicken stock, wine, and tomato paste. Put this mixture into a small enameled cast iron Dutch oven. Add the ham shank skin-side up.

6. Cover the Dutch oven and allow the ham shank to braise in the oven for 2 hours. While it cooks, chop carrots, onion, and celery into ½-inch (1.27 cm) pieces. Chop potatoes into 1-inch (2.54 cm) pieces, and mince the garlic. Season the veggies with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

7. After two hours, tuck the seasoned vegetables into the pot and baste them. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.

8. Then take the cover off the Dutch oven, remove the veggies, turn the heat up to 450F (232C), and baste the ham shank. Roast for 15-30 minutes, depending how crispy you want the skin. Baste after 15 minutes.

9. After cooking, remove the ham shank from the pot and let it rest 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

➕ Ham Shank Temperature

Braise fresh ham shank at 325F (163C), then quickly roast it at 450F (232C) to crisp the pork crackling. (It won’t get super crispy like pork belly skin due to the braising, but you should still get some crispy strips. I usually discard any skin that ends up beneath the cooking liquid, as it won’t crisp up.)

⏲️ How Long to Cook Ham Shank

How long do you cook a ham shank? The ham shank cooking time is a total of 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours. This inexpensive cut of meat can be made for a special dinner or holiday meal when you cook it slow and low.

🥘 Ham Shank Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make cooked ham shank:

• 2 lbs. raw ham shank, bone-in, skin on (907 grams, not smoked)
• ½ tablespoon white vinegar
• ¾ cup chicken stock (reduced sodium or no added salt)
• ¼ cup red wine
• ½ tablespoon double-concentrated tomato paste
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
• ½ teaspoon dried sage
• ¼ cup carrots (sliced)
• ¼ cup onion
• ¼ cup celery
• ½ potato (choose one with thin skin)
• 2 minced cloves of garlic
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

You’ll also need a small cast iron Dutch oven with lid, exacto knife, pastry brush, and whisk. I don’t bother with a meat thermometer for this recipe, since the pork cooks for such a long period.

Where to buy ham shank near me?

You can find smoked ham shanks for sale at most major grocery stores in the US, especially around Easter and Christmas. The Smithfield ham shank portion is a country ham that’s a popular option. You may also find butt ham in stores, which is cut from the butt portion of the ham, above the shank portion on the leg.

It’s harder to find raw pork shank in US grocery stores. You may have to ask a pork farmer or butcher for this cut. Another option is to buy fresh pork ham shanks online at US Wellness Meats here.

If you can find fresh ham shank locally, that’s probably going to be the most inexpensive option. I wouldn’t be surprised if this cut were easier to find in the southeastern US than it is here.

What is the ham shank portion?

A ham shank portion is a cut of ham taken from the lower leg of the pig. It’s from an area below the butt end but above the ham hocks. Ham shank portion is less meaty than a butt ham, but easier to carve.

🔪 How to Carve a Ham Shank

Wondering how to cut a ham shank? Find carving instructions for a shank half or portion ham here. Don’t worry too much about carving ham perfectly; as the instructor in the video says, you really can’t do it wrong.

Some prefer to carve meats using an electric knife. I always use my regular knives, but definitely go with the option you’re more comfortable with. For the greatest ease, just get a spiral-cut ham where the work has been done for you.

🤔 How long do you cook a fully cooked shank ham?

We talked about how to cook a shank ham from raw, but how do you cook smoked ham shank? Here are directions for making a honey glazed ham shank recipe:

1. Preheat the oven to 325F (163C). Place a large smoked shank ham, cut-side down, in a shallow roasting pan. Cover with aluminum foil.

2. Bake the ham for 20-25 minutes per pound until heated through. One-half hour before the ham is done, uncover the ham and brush on the glaze. Heat the uncovered glazed ham for an additional 25-30 minutes.

3. To make the glaze: 1 part honey, 1 part melted butter, 2 parts brown sugar. Heat over medium heat on stovetop until it becomes a syrup.

4. Let the glazed roast ham shank rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

How to Boil a Ham Shank

You can find directions on how to boil a smoked ham shank here.

😋 Ham Shank Recipes

What is ham shank good for? This ham shank recipe is cooked with vegetables, but they’re mostly there for flavor, not as a side dish. Try serving this ham shank with mushy peas, mashed potatoes, cabbage, or a salad.

One of the most popular ways to use ham shank is for ham shank soup. Here are a few ideas:

• Ham shank and potato soup
• Ham shank and split pea soup
• Lentil rice soup with ham shanks
• Ham shank and bean soup

You can also serve ham shank with eggs, in a stir fry, or make a ham sandwich with mustard and cheese. One final suggestion is a ham shank and beans casserole. So many possibilities!

❓ Ham Shank Safe Temperature

According to the USDA, uncooked fresh ham shank should be cooked to a minimum internal temp of at least 145F (63C). After cooking, the ham should rest for at least 3 minutes before slicing and serving.

In general, precooked hams should be treated like leftovers for reheating. This means that they should be heated to a minimum internal temperature of 165F (74C).

🌡️ Leftover Ham Shank

Unfortunately, the crisp skin on ham shank doesn’t reheat well. Leftover cooked ham shank can be kept in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Reheat ham shank in an air fryer at 400F (200C) for 3-5 minutes. Alternatively, try reheating ham shank leftovers in a microwave on high for 1½-2 minutes.

Cooked ham shank (without the skin) also freezes well. Store it in a freezer bag with the air pressed out.

📋 Ham Shank Nutrition

Here is the nutrition info for fresh ham shank (per 4 ounce serving/112g, source: Cronometer):

• Calories: 286
• Total fat: 17g
• Saturated fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 92mg
• Sodium: 54mg
• Total carbohydrate: 0g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 0g
• Protein: 31g
• Vitamin A: 0.2% DV
• Vitamin C: 0% DV
• Calcium: 1% DV
• Iron: 6% DV

This nutrition information is for the ham shank only. (Though I’d definitely eat the vegetables, and the collagen-rich broth in the pot could make a very rich gravy. Just thicken with some flour or cornstarch. But I digress…)

Ham shank is a naturally low carb, keto, dairy-free, and gluten-free food. Ham shanks that were smoked or otherwise preserved may contain added sugar and allergens. Be sure to check the nutrition facts panel to get information on ingredients for the product.

FAQs

How to make a ham shank crock pot recipe?

Find a highly rated ham shank slow cooker recipe here. Glazed with brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and honey, you know it has got to be good!

Ham Shank vs Ham Hock – what’s the difference?

What is a ham hock vs ham shank? Ham hock comes from the pig’s leg above the ankle, while ham shank comes from the pig’s leg below the hip. When comparing pork shank vs ham hock, both are (usually) bone-in ham, but ham hocks are less meaty (source).

Can you use ham shank in place of ham hock?

Yes, you can use ham shank and ham hock interchangeably in most recipes. Keep in mind that you’ll have more meat using ham shank vs ham hock.

Which is better shank ham or spiral ham?

A spiral ham is a pre-sliced ham that is cut in a way where the meat remains attached to the bone. You can get spiral-sliced shank hams or butt hams. Though spiral-sliced hams make for easy carving, they are at bigger risk of drying out in the oven than hams that aren’t precut.

What is equivalent to ham hock?

Ham hocks are usually added to recipes for smoky flavor. Chopped smoked shank ham, other smoked hams, and bacon are cooking substitutes for ham hock with similar flavor.

How to make Instant Pot ham shank?

You can save time making pressure cooker ham shank in the Instant Pot instead of slow cooking. Here is how to do it.

👩🏻‍🍳 More Pork Recipes

Looking for more dinner recipes for pork? Try these:

• Air Fryer Pork Roast (Boston Butt)
• Pork Belly Air Fryer Recipe
• Chorizo Recipe
• Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

And if you’re interested in the shank cut of meat specifically, not just ham recipes, don’t miss this Sous Vide Osso Buco (beef shank).

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