Is a smoked pork shoulder a suitable substitute for ham hocks?
In reference to a recipe for ham hocks and beans, can I use smoked pork shoulder instead of ham hocks and still get a good result? What will be the difference in end product, if any?
Best Answer
Ham hocks are used to add a variety of properties to beans as well as other vegetable dishes like greens and stews. Ham hocks predominantly add smoky flavor and salt. In dishes where the ham is cooked for a prolonged period with water you also get an improved mouth-feel from gelatin that dissolves into the stew. Aged hams also add the distinct flavors that accumulate from the curing salts and the aging process.
Using a smoked shoulder will provide the smoky flavor as well as some gelatin (provided you use a prolonged cooking method) but you may need to increase the amount of salt you use and you will be missing some of the "ham-y" flavor that you get from using a real aged ham hock.
Other options include bacon (especially dry-cured), ham base, or bouillon. I have gotten a few free prosciutto hocks from the local deli (they were just going to throw it away) that added great ham flavor but no smokiness.
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Quick Answer about "Is a smoked pork shoulder a suitable substitute for ham hocks?"
Yes, you can, and you should get pretty good results. You won't get as much gelatin effect from collagen (read that unctuousness), but you'll get some. The flavor will be fine.Is pork shoulder the same as ham hock?
No, pork shoulder is not the same as ham. Pork shoulder is a different cut of the hog. It is a shoulder, rather than the hind leg such as is used in a ham. What is this?Can I use smoked pork hock instead of ham hock?
For starters, ham hock is cured or smoked whereas pork hock is raw. Due to this reason, it is not ideal to substitute one for the other since they each impart a distinct flavor and differ in the way they are used in recipes.What can I substitute for a ham hock?
Ham Hock Substitutes If you can't get your hands on ham hocks, or are in a cooking pinch, you can use bacon, pancetta, guanciale, or smoked pork sausage in place of them. You can also use other parts of the pig that are packed with flavor but less prized like jowl bacon, pig trotter (the feet), or the ears.What can I use instead of ham hock in soup?
Ham Hock Substitute If you can't find a ham hock, don't worry. You can easily substitute pork shank, smoked bacon, or smoked sausage without affecting the recipe too much.Easy Way to Smoke Ham Hock or Pork Shoulder
More answers regarding is a smoked pork shoulder a suitable substitute for ham hocks?
Answer 2
Yes, you can, and you should get pretty good results.
You won't get as much gelatin effect from collagen (read that unctuousness), but you'll get some. The flavor will be fine. Bacon is a very common substitution as well, but with that you'd get no collagen.
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