Ham hock, often referred to as pork knuckle, is a versatile and affordable cut of meat that can turn simple ingredients into a flavour-packed meal. Slow cooking this cut ensures beautifully tender and juicy results, perfect for hearty dinners, celebrations, or even leftovers. This guide will walk you through the steps to cook a delicious ham hock in a slow cooker, glaze it to perfection, and serve it in style.
Why Use a Slow Cooker for Ham Hock?
The slow cooker is one of the best ways to prepare ham hock. Why?
- Tender Texture: The low and slow cooking process melts the connective tissues, creating succulent, fall-off-the-bone meat.
- Enhanced Flavours: With hours to simmer, the meat soaks in the flavours of your chosen seasonings and liquids.
- Set-and-Forget Convenience: Once you’ve prepared your ingredients, the slow cooker does all the hard work for you.
Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or meal-prepping for the week, a slow cooker makes cooking ham hock easy and stress-free.
Here’s our slow cooker ham hock recipe:
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Serves: 2-3
- Cooking Time: 8 Hours
- Setting: LOW
Ingredients
- 800g – 1kg Ham Hock Joint
- 2 Celery Sticks
- 1 Carrot
- 1 Onion
- 1 Chicken Stock
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Puree
- 2 Bay leaves
- 4 Tablespoons Honey
- 4 Tablespoons Mustard
2. Setting Up the Slow Cooker
- Chop the Onion
- Chop the Carrot and Celery
- Add the Bay Leaves
- Add the Mustard
- Add the Honey
- Add the Chicken Stock
- Add the Ham Hock
- Close the Lid
3. Cooking Times
- Low Setting: Cook for 7-8 hours.
- High Setting: Cook for 4-5 hours.
Once cooking is complete, remove the ham hocks from the slow cooker and transfer them to an ovenproof dish. Cover with foil to keep warm.
Creating a Delicious Glaze
A sticky glaze is what transforms a humble ham hock into a gourmet masterpiece. Follow these steps to make the glaze:
- Drain the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan. Bring it to a boil and reduce until thickened.
- Lower the heat, then stir in the remaining grated ginger, allspice, honey, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Adjust the balance to taste (add more sugar if too tart, or more lemon juice if too sweet).
- Pour the glaze over the ham hocks, ensuring they’re fully coated.
Baking for the Perfect Finish
To achieve that glossy, caramelised finish, bake the ham hocks in the oven.
- Preheat your oven to 200°C.
- Bake the ham hocks uncovered for 10–15 minutes. Turn them over and baste with the glaze halfway through for extra stickiness.
- Optional Step for Charred Edges: After turning off the oven, leave the hocks in for an additional 5–10 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Ham hocks are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with a variety of sides. Serve yours with any of these for a memorable meal:
- Crispy roast potatoes
- Garlic butter spinach
- Peas or glazed carrots
- Sauerkraut or braised cabbage for a German twist
- Crusty bread or fluffy mashed potatoes for soaking up the glaze.
For something unique, slice the ham hock thinly and use it to top salads, pasta dishes, or even gourmet sandwiches.
Glazing Variations
Feel like experimenting with flavours? Here are some alternative glaze ideas to try:
- Maple and mustard for a sweet and tangy balance.
- Honey and soy sauce for a sticky, umami-packed glaze.
- Orange and ginger for a zesty, aromatic kick.
Final Thoughts
Slow cooking ham hock is an absolute game-changer. It’s simple, cost-effective, and utterly delicious, making it perfect for everything from everyday meals to festive occasions. By following this guide, you’ll master the art of cooking ham hock or lamb leg in a slow cooker, and with the right glaze and accompaniments, you’ll be serving up a dish that’s sure to impress.
Now it’s time to don your apron and bring this mouth-watering delight to life. Happy cooking!