How to Make Ham Stock

Step 1

Save scraps of ham or ham bones in the freezer until you have enough to make stock. (I usually try to have at least 4 cups of scraps for a very large soup pot, but you don't have to have quite that much. You can also freeze scraps of celery, onion, and carrots if you have leftovers.

Step 2

Use the largest soup pot you have for making stock. Put the ham scraps into the pot along with pieces of onion, celery, and carrots, and fill the pot with water. (I use vegetable scraps equivalent to about 2 onions, 3-4 carrots, and 3-4 large celery stalks.) You can add some coarse ground pepper or a few peppercorns, but DO NOT ADD SALT!

Step 3

Turn the pot on to the lowest possible simmer and let the stock cook for 6-8 hours, adding a cup or two of water about once an hour.

Step 4

If you want to cook this when you won't be home, it can be done in a large slow cooker, but you will need to reduce the stock on the stove after it simmers all day in the slow cooker.

Step 5

After 6-8 hours, remove the ham pieces and vegetables with a Slotted Spoon (affiliate link) or large spoon and discard.

Step 6

Taste the stock (carefully, since it's hot!) If the flavor is not as strong as you'd like, turn the heat to medium and boil gently for 30 minutes or more until some of the water is boiled away. (I nearly always need to do this.)

Step 7

I like to use a ham flavor base to make the stock more intensely ham flavored, and Goya Ham Flavor Concentrate (affiliate link) is my favorite product of this type.

Step 8

If you have a fine mesh stock skimmer (affiliate link) that's a good way to skim off any scum that rises to the top while the stock is cooking.

Step 9

When the stock has concentrated enough to have a rich ham flavor, strain again, using the finest strainer you have. I use a fine mesh Yogurt Strainer (affiliate link) and strain the stock into a Fat Separator (affiliate link) which lets the stock pour from the bottom, leaving the fat to be discarded. You can also strain through cheesecloth if you don't have a strainer.

Step 10

If you don't have a way to remove the fat, you can let the stock cool in the refrigerator and the fat will harden on top and can be scooped off.

Step 11

I like to freeze the stock in 2 cup or 4 cup containers so I know exactly how much I have when I'm thawing it for a recipe, but you can use any plastic container with a tight fitting lid. I use adhesive tape and a sharpie market to label stock with the type and date. Stock can be stored frozen for 6-12 months, although I never manage to keep it in the freezer for that long!

Step 12

And as you can see from the photos in this post, I've been making ham stock using this method for a very long time!