What Exactly Is Country Ham—and What Makes It ‘Country’?

With so many types of ham available, it can be easy to confuse them. However, each variety has its own unique qualities, and country ham is no exception. Let’s dive deeper into this beloved Southern classic.

What Is Country Ham?

Country ham is a dry-cured meat, typically preserved with salt and sometimes smoked, and is especially famous in the South. It can be aged for years, and its traditional curing process dates back to a time before refrigeration, when families needed an effective way to store fresh pork—according to Clify Farm Country Meats of Tennessee.

What Is the Flavor of Country Ham?

With a bold combination of smoky, dry, and salty notes, country ham gets its intense flavor from the salt curing process, the fragrant hardwoods used in smoking, and its extended aging. Some hams are made from pigs fed a diet of fruits and nuts, giving the meat an even richer taste.

How to Prepare Country Ham

Country ham is best when cooked low and slow, whether in the oven or a slow cooker. Place a bone-in cut with your choice of herbs, spices, syrups, or ciders and let it slowly cook to absorb those deep flavors. Alternatively, you can slice it and pan-fry or bake it into savory pastries.

Some recipes may recommend soaking this ham in the refrigerator to reduce its intense saltiness, so be sure to plan ahead and check whether this step is needed for your recipe.

Explore these tasty options, and remember to save any drippings for a flavorful gravy!

• Country Ham
• Country Ham and Cheddar Hand Pies
• Georgia Country Ham and Redeye Gravy

Where to Purchase Country Ham

While you may find authentic country ham at some major grocery stores, it’s often difficult since many retailers mainly sell 'city hams,' which are wet-cured rather than dry-cured. For the best quality, visit your local farmers and butchers. You’ll not only support small businesses but also get expert advice on the best ham for your needs and how to prepare it.

How to Store Country Ham

Cooked country ham can be refrigerated for up to seven days, according to the USDA. If frozen, it remains safe indefinitely, although it’s best within the first month. Uncooked, sliced country ham can be kept in the fridge for two to three months or frozen for up to one month. Remarkably, the USDA states that a whole, uncut, dry-cured country ham can be stored at room temperature for up to a year!