Are you looking for a quick and easy way to cook frozen ham hocks? Look no further than your Instant Pot!
With just a few simple steps, you can have tender and flavorful ham hocks ready to use in soups, stews, and more.
In this article, we’ll show you how to cook frozen ham hocks in your Instant Pot, including tips for natural release and shredding the meat.
Whether you’re a seasoned Instant Pot user or a newbie, this recipe is sure to become a go-to for delicious and convenient meals.
So grab your pressure cooker and let’s get started!
How To Cook Frozen Ham Hock In Instant Pot?
To cook frozen ham hocks in your Instant Pot, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps.
First, place your frozen ham hocks in the Instant Pot and cover them with water. For best results, use about 10 cups of water for two ham hocks.
Next, seal the lid of the Instant Pot and bring it to high pressure before cooking the ham hocks for 30 minutes. After that, quick release the pressure to open the lid and remove the ham hocks.
You will then place your ham hocks on a cutting board to let them cool. While your ham hocks are cooling, add your split peas, onions, carrot, celery, and thyme to the liquid leftover in the Instant Pot.
Bring your pressure cooker back up to high pressure and cook at high pressure for 10 minutes. While your split peas are cooking, you can shred the meat from your ham hocks and discard any bones and fat.
Once the split peas are done in the pressure cooker, the split pea soup will appear thin. However, once you stir your soup well, the split peas will dissolve, and the soup will thicken. If you want your soup to be thicker, you can just mash up your ingredients with a potato masher or process half of the soup through a blender on low speed before recombining it back with the rest of your split pea soup.
Before you serve your healthy split pea soup, add the shredded pork back into it. Enjoy!
Preparing The Ham Hock For Cooking
Before cooking your frozen ham hocks in the Instant Pot, it’s important to properly prepare them. First, ensure that your ham hocks are thawed completely before cooking. If they are still frozen, they will not cook evenly and may result in tough meat.
Once thawed, rinse your ham hocks under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. If desired, you can trim off any excess fat from the ham hocks before cooking.
To add extra flavor to your ham hocks, you can also season them with your favorite spices or herbs. Some popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and bay leaves. Simply rub the seasonings onto the ham hocks before placing them in the Instant Pot.
By properly preparing your ham hocks before cooking, you’ll ensure that they cook evenly and are packed with delicious flavor.
Setting Up Your Instant Pot
To set up your Instant Pot for cooking frozen ham hocks, you’ll need to start by placing a trivet in the inner pot of your Instant Pot. This will help to elevate the ham hocks above the water and prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Next, add about 10 cups of water to the pot, or enough to cover the ham hocks. Be sure not to overfill the pot, as this can cause issues with pressure buildup.
Once you’ve added the water, carefully place your frozen ham hocks on top of the trivet in the pot. Be sure to evenly distribute them so that they cook evenly.
Secure and seal the lid of your Instant Pot, making sure that the venting button is set to seal. Then, using the pressure cooking function, set the timer for 30 minutes and push start.
After 30 minutes of cooking time, quick release the pressure by moving the venting button to vent and allowing all of the pressure to escape before opening the lid. Carefully remove the ham hocks from the pot and place them on a cutting board to cool.
From here, you can use the meat from your ham hocks in a variety of recipes, such as split pea soup or ham and potato soup. Simply shred the meat from your ham hocks and discard any bones or fat before adding it to your recipe.
With these simple steps, you can easily cook frozen ham hocks in your Instant Pot for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Cooking The Ham Hock
Cooking the ham hock is an essential step in making split pea soup or any dish that requires ham hocks. Ham hocks are a flavorful cut of meat that needs to be cooked for a long time to become tender and juicy.
To cook frozen ham hocks in an Instant Pot, you’ll need to add them to the pot with water and bring it to high pressure for 30 minutes. After that, you’ll need to let them cool before shredding the meat off the bone.
To cook fresh ham hocks, you can use a variety of methods such as boiling, roasting, simmering, braising, or slow cooking. The best way to cook ham hocks is low and slow, which allows the meat to cook in its own juices and become tender and pliable.
Ham hocks can be used as a flavoring agent in soups and stews, or they can be shredded and used in quiche or on top of a salad. To get crispy skin and render some of the pork fat, roasting proves best.
When cooking ham hocks, it’s important to keep in mind that they aren’t particularly packed with meat, so you might have to dig for bits of edible lean meat to leave in the dish. Although you probably won’t want to eat the fatty bits left at the end of cooking, you can easily pull the pieces of fat off to uncover the pockets of meat hidden close to the bone.
Natural Release Vs. Quick Release
When cooking ham hocks in an Instant Pot, you’ll need to know the difference between natural release and quick release.
A natural release is when you leave the pressure release switch in the Sealed position when the cook time ends. This allows the pressure to release slowly, without any intervention from you. The float valve will drop and the lid will unlock and open once the pressure is fully released. This method is less dramatic than a quick release, as there is no jet of steam when the natural pressure release starts. However, it can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes for the pressure to fully release depending on your ingredients and amount of liquid in the pressure cooker. Food inside the cooking pot will continue to cook as the pressure decreases.
On the other hand, a quick release involves turning the valve from sealing to venting once the cooking time is done. This releases the steam quickly, allowing for a rapid pressure drop. It’s important to keep your hands away from the actual vent where steam will spout from.
When cooking ham hocks in an Instant Pot, it’s recommended to do a natural release for 20 minutes after the initial 40-minute cook time. This allows for any remaining pressure to release naturally before opening the lid and removing the ham hocks.
Shredding The Ham Hock
Shredding the meat from a ham hock can be a bit tricky, as it is surrounded by collagen, connective tissue, and a thick band of fat and skin. However, with a little patience and some basic knife skills, you can easily shred the meat from your ham hock to use in a variety of dishes.
First, let the ham hock cool on a cutting board until it is cool enough to handle. Then, use a sharp knife to carefully cut away any skin or fat that is still attached to the meat.
Next, locate the bone in the center of the ham hock and use your knife to carefully cut around it, separating the meat from the bone. Once you have removed as much meat as possible from the bone, discard the bone and any remaining skin or fat.
Finally, use two forks to shred the meat into small pieces. You can then use the shredded meat in a variety of dishes, including soups, salads, or even on top of pizza. The possibilities are endless!
Serving Suggestions For Cooked Ham Hock
Cooked ham hock is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some serving suggestions for your cooked ham hock:
1. Split Pea Soup: Use your cooked ham hock to make a hearty split pea soup. The smoky flavor of the ham hock adds depth to the soup and complements the sweet flavor of the peas.
2. Collard Greens: Cooked ham hock is a classic ingredient in Southern-style collard greens. The ham hock adds rich flavor to the greens, and the collards provide a nutritious base for the dish.
3. Baked Beans: Add cooked ham hock to your baked beans for a smoky, savory flavor. The ham hock complements the sweetness of the beans and adds a meaty texture to the dish.
4. Stews and Soups: Cooked ham hock can be added to any stew or soup recipe for added flavor and texture. It pairs well with vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions.
5. Sandwiches: Use cooked ham hock as a filling for sandwiches. It pairs well with mustard, pickles, and other savory toppings.