Ham bones are a great addition to soups, stews and more. They add flavor and texture, but they can also be tough to handle. Here’s how to make the most of your ham bone.
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Introduction
There are a few things you can do with a ham bone besides soup. Here are some ideas for recipes that use a ham bone:
-Ham and bean soup: This is a classic recipe that uses a ham bone to flavor the beans.
-Ham and greens soup: This recipe uses the ham bone to flavor the greens.
-Ham stock: This is a basic recipe for making ham stock, which can be used in any recipe that calls for chicken stock.
– Ham and lentil soup: This is a hearty soup that uses the ham bone to flavor the lentils.
What is a ham bone?
A ham bone is the leftover bone from a smoked or baked ham. It can be used to make a delicious soup or added to other recipes for flavor. Here are some ideas for what to do with a ham bone.
What is a ham bone?
A ham bone is the leftover bone from a smoked or baked ham. It can be used to make a delicious soup or added to other recipes for flavor. Here are some ideas for what to do with a ham bone.
How to use a ham bone in recipes
-Add it to a pot of beans: Ham bones add great flavor to any beans, whether they are cooked in a crockpot or on the stovetop. Simply add the bones to the pot of beans along with any other desired ingredients.
-Make soup: Ham bones can be used to make many different types of soup, including split pea, lentil, and black bean soup. If you have greens that need to be used up, add them to the soup as well.
-Add flavor to rice: Ham bones can be used to cook rice on the stovetop or in a rice cooker. Simply add the bone (and any attached meat) to the rice along with water and other desired ingredients.
The benefits of using a ham bone
When you have a ham for dinner, save the bone! There are so many benefits to using a ham bone, like making a delicious soup or adding flavor to your pantry staples.
Soup is an obvious choice for using a ham bone, but there are many other recipes that can make use of it as well. Ham and bean soup is a classic, but you could also try a recipe with greens or even a pasta dish. If you’re not sure what to do with your ham bone, check out some of our favorite recipes below.
Ham and Bean Soup
Ingredients:
1 ham bone
3 cups water
2 cups dried beans
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
Soak beans in water overnight. Drain and rinse beans before adding them to the pot. Add all ingredients to a large pot and simmer for 3-4 hours, or until the beans are cooked through. Remove the ham bone before serving.
How to cook with a ham bone
Cooking with a ham bone is a great way to get extra mileage out of your leftovers. Here are some recipes to help you make the most of your ham bone.
Soups:
-Ham and Bean Soup
-Ham and Potato Soup
-Ham and Vegetable Soup
-Split Pea Soup with Ham
-Minestrone Soup with Ham
Stews:
-Ham and Lentil Stew
-Ham, Potato, and Kale Stew
-Smoked Ham Hock and Greens Stew
Pantry Recipes:
-Macaroni and Cheese with Ham
Recipes for dishes using a ham bone
If you have a ham bone leftover from a holiday meal, don’t just throw it away! There are many recipes that can be made using a ham bone.
Here are some recipes for dishes using a ham bone:
-Ham and bean soup: This is a classic recipe that is perfect for using up a ham bone. Simply add the ham bone to a pot of beans and water, and let it simmer for awhile. You can also add some greens to the soup for extra flavor.
-Ham and potato soup: This soup is similar to the bean soup, but instead of beans, you use potatoes. Again, simply add the ham bone to a pot of water and let it simmer. You can also add some vegetables like carrots or celery to the soup.
-Ham hock and collard greens: This is a traditional Southern dish that is both hearty and flavorful. Simply simmer the ham hock in water until it is cooked through, then add some collard greens to the pot and let them cook until tender. Serve with cornbread or rice.
-Ham hock and lentil stew: This stew is perfect for cold winter nights. Simply simmer the ham hock in water until it is cooked through, then add some lentils and vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions. Let the stew simmer until all of the flavors have melded together. Serve with crusty bread.
How to store a ham bone
If you have a ham bone left over from a holiday meal, don’t throw it away! There are plenty of ways to use it to make delicious soups, stews, and other dishes. Here are some tips on how to store and use your ham bone:
-Wrap the ham bone in plastic wrap or place it in a resealable plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days.
-Place the ham bone in a soup pot with some water and simmer for an hour or two to make a flavorful broth. This can be used as the base for soups or stews, or frozen for later use.
-Add the ham bone to a pot of beans while they are cooking. This will add flavor and depth to the dish.
-Make a pot of greens such as collards, turnips, or mustard greens and throw in the ham bone for extra flavor.
-Try this recipe for Ham Bone and Bean Soup:
Ingredients:
1 ham bone
1 large onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cans (14.5 ounces each) chicken broth
3 cans (15 ounces each) great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 cups water
Tips for using a ham bone
When youufffdre done with your ham, donufffdt throw away the bone! There are plenty of ways to use a ham bone, and weufffdve compiled some of our favorites below.
Soup is the most obvious choice, but donufffdt stop there ufffd a ham bone can also be used to flavor beans, greens, and other recipes. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
-Ham and bean soup: Soak 1 pound of dried beans overnight, then simmer with the ham bone and your favorite seasonings for a hearty meal.
-Greens and beans: Ham bones are traditionally used to flavor greens like collards, mustard greens, and turnip greens. Soak 1 pound of dried beans overnight, then simmer with the ham bone and your favorite seasonings for a hearty meal.
-Smoked ham hock stock: This versatile stock can be used in any recipe that calls for chicken or beef broth. Just simmer the ham hock in water for 3-4 hours, then remove and strain.
FAQs about ham bones
Assuming you’re starting with a bone-in ham, the first thing you need to do is remove the meat from the bone. This can be done by hand, or with a sharp knife. Once the meat is removed, you can use it in any number of recipes, or freeze it for later use.
The next step is to decide what to do with the bone. Ham bones are great for making soup, and there are many recipes available online and in cookbooks. If you don’t want to make soup right away, you can also store the bone in your freezer until you’re ready to use it.
Here are some FAQs about ham bones:
Can I cook a ham bone in my crockpot?
Yes! Crockpots are great for cooking ham bones because they make it easy to simmer the bone for hours, which allows all of the flavor to be extracted.
Do I need to soak my ham bone before cooking?
Soaking is not necessary, but it can help to remove any excess salt from the bone. If you do soak the bone, be sure to discard the water afterwards.
How long should I cook my ham bone?
The cooking time will vary depending on what recipe you’re using, but in general, you should cook the bone for at least 4 hours.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many options for what to do with your ham bone besides making soup. Ham bones can be used to flavor numerous recipes, both sweet and savory. With a little creativity, you can incorporate this pantry staple into many different dishes.
Further reading
If you have a ham bone leftover from a holiday meal, don’t let it go to waste! Here are some ideas for what to do with it.
Soup is the obvious choice, and there are endless possibilities depending on what you have in your pantry and fridge. Beans are a classic ingredient to added to ham bone soup, but you could also try this recipe for ham and greens soup.
Leftover ham can also be used in other recipes like this one for Ham Fried Rice. Or, if you’re looking for something sweet, try these Ham and pineapple muffins.
So next time you have a ham bone, remember that there’s more to do with it than just make soup!
