Smoky Ham Hock Broth
This Smoky Ham Hock Broth is crafted to impart a deep, rich flavor to your culinary creations, perfect for enhancing the taste of collard greens, black-eyed peas, and green beans. The smokiness from the ham hocks adds an unbeatable depth of flavor, while the aromatic vegetables and herbs balance the richness. This versatile broth not only elevates your dishes but also freezes beautifully – perfect for portioning and using any time you crave that homemade touch in your meals. Best when made in batches, this stock can last in the freezer for up to 4 months and will undoubtedly become a staple in your household.
5
Servings
30
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ham hocks
2 lbs (none)
Water
to cover (none)
Fresh thyme
2 sprigs (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
Bay leaf
1 (none)
Yellow onion
1 large (quartered)
Carrots
2 (cut into 2-inch pieces)
Celery stalks
2 (cut into 2-inch pieces)
Garlic cloves
2 (cut in half)
Black peppercorns
3 (none)
Instructions
1
In a large stock pot, combine the ham hocks, quartered onion, carrots, celery, halved garlic cloves, thyme, bay leaf, and black peppercorns.
2
Add enough water to cover the ingredients by at least 2 inches.
3
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then stir and reduce to medium-low.
4
Allow the broth to simmer uncovered for approximately three hours, ensuring that the liquid reduces by about half.
5
After simmering, strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a large bowl to remove the solids.
6
Let the stock cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate overnight.
7
The next day, you will notice a layer of fat solidified on top of the stock; carefully remove and discard this fat.
8
If desired, portion the stock into 2-cup amounts and transfer to freezer bags for easy use later.
9
The final broth can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for 4 months.
Nutrition Information
2g
Fat
1g
Carbs
2g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smoky Ham Hock Broth?
It is a rich, flavorful broth crafted to enhance dishes like collard greens and beans with a deep smoky essence.
What dishes are best paired with this broth?
This broth is perfect for enhancing the taste of collard greens, black-eyed peas, and green beans.
How long should the broth simmer?
The broth should simmer uncovered for approximately three hours.
How much should the liquid reduce during cooking?
The liquid should reduce by about half during the three-hour simmering process.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are 30 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 2 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this broth?
There is 1 gram of carbohydrate per serving.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 2 grams of protein per serving.
What are the primary ingredients?
The main ingredients are ham hocks, water, fresh thyme, bay leaf, yellow onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and black peppercorns.
Can I use dried thyme instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of dried thyme for 2 sprigs of fresh thyme.
How should the vegetables be prepared?
The onion should be quartered, while carrots and celery should be cut into 2-inch pieces.
How much water is required?
Add enough water to cover the ingredients in the pot by at least 2 inches.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
Combine the ham hocks, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and peppercorns in a large stock pot.
Should the pot be covered while simmering?
No, the broth should be simmered uncovered to allow for reduction.
How do I remove the solids from the broth?
After simmering, strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a large bowl.
Why must the broth be refrigerated overnight?
Refrigerating overnight allows the fat to solidify on top so it can be easily removed and discarded.
How do I remove the fat from the stock?
Carefully remove and discard the layer of fat that solidifies on top of the stock after refrigeration.
How long can I store the broth in the refrigerator?
The final broth can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can Smoky Ham Hock Broth be frozen?
Yes, it can be frozen for up to 4 months.
What is a good way to portion the stock for freezing?
You can portion the stock into 2-cup amounts and transfer them to freezer bags for easy use later.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 5 servings.
How many pounds of ham hocks are needed?
The recipe requires 2 lbs of ham hocks.
How many garlic cloves are used?
Two garlic cloves, cut in half, are used in this recipe.
How many peppercorns should I add?
The recipe calls for 3 black peppercorns.
What type of onion is recommended?
One large yellow onion is recommended.
What category does this recipe belong to?
This recipe is categorized under Stocks.
Does the broth contain any sugar or fiber?
No, the recipe lists null values for both sugar and fiber.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include broth, ham hock, stock, soup base, smoky flavor, and southern cooking.
How do I start the boiling process?
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then stir and reduce to medium-low.
Is this broth suitable for long-term meal prep?
Yes, it is an excellent staple that freezes well and can be used to add a homemade touch to future meals.