Ah, the sizzle of a perfectly seared steak, the juicy tenderness of a succulent chicken breast, or the mouthwatering aroma of a slow-roasted pork shoulder – there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a well-cooked piece of meat.
But as any seasoned chef will tell you, achieving that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and safety is all about cooking meat to the correct internal temperature. Like any other meat, ham shanks has to be cooked to the proper temperature in order to be both delicious and safe to eat.
What Is The Right Internal Temperature For Ham Shanks?
The right internal temperature for ham shanks is 145°F (62.8°C). The temperature should be taken with a food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. It is important to note that the temperature should be taken in the center of the meat, not the edges.
How To Cook Ham Shanks To The Right Internal Temperature
The best way to ensure that ham shanks is cooked to the right internal temperature is to use a thermometer. However, a typical method would be to cook it at a temperature of 325°F (162.8°C) for 20 to 25 minutes.
It is also important to keep in mind that the internal temperature of ham shanks will continue to rise after it is removed from the heat source. Therefore, it is important to remove the ham shanks from the heat source when the thermometer reads 145°F (62.8°C). This will ensure that the ham shanks is cooked to the right internal temperature.
Why Is Internal Temperature Important?
Cooking food to the right internal temperature is essential for food safety. Bacteria can cause foodborne illness when food is not cooked to the right temperature.
Ham Shanks is particularly susceptible to foodborne illness because it can contain higher levels of bacteria than other meats. Therefore, it is important to ensure that ham shanks is cooked to the right internal temperature in order to avoid foodborne illness.
When Cooking Ham Shanks, It Is Important To Keep The Following Tips In Mind:
– Ham shanks are a tough cut of meat, so they need to be cooked slowly to tenderize the meat.
– Season the ham shanks with a rub or spice blend of your choice before cooking.
– Sear the ham shanks in a hot pan before cooking them to help lock in the flavor.
– Add liquid to the pan when cooking ham shanks, such as water, broth, or wine, to keep them moist.
– Cook ham shanks on a low temperature, such as in a slow cooker or oven, for several hours until they are tender.
– Be sure to glaze the ham shanks with a sweet or savory glaze during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Ham Shanks Recipes
Grandma’s Ham Shank and Lima Bean Stew
Ingredients:
1-2 ham shanks
1 package of dried lima beans
1 medium onion, chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. dried thyme
Salt and black pepper to taste
6 cups of water
1. Rinse the lima beans and pick through them, removing any rocks or debris.
2. In a large soup pot, combine the lima beans, ham shanks, garlic, onion, thyme, bay leaf, and water.
3. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the ham shanks are cooked through and the beans are nice and soft.
4. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot with some crusty bread.
Creamy Ham Shank and Potato Soup
Ingredients:
1-2 ham shanks
4-5 cups of water
1 lb. of potatoes, peeled and chopped into large chunks
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. dried thyme
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup of heavy cream
1. In a large soup pot, combine the ham shanks, water, potatoes, onion, carrots, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf.
2. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the ham shanks are cooked through and the vegetables are nice and soft.
3. Remove the ham shanks from the pot and shred the meat with a fork, discarding the bones.
4. Stir in the heavy cream, then season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot with some crusty bread.
Sources
1. Hams and Food Safety | Food Safety and Inspection Service. (n.d.-c). https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/meat/hams-and-food-safety#:~:text=Cook%2Dbefore%2Deating%20hams%20or,appliances%2C%20and%20on%20the%20stove.
2. Gordon, S. (2020, April 12). Baked Ham Shank with Brown Sugar Glaze : Taste of Southern. https://www.tasteofsouthern.com/baked-ham-shank-with-brown-sugar-glaze/#:~:text=Bake%20at%20325F%20Degrees%20for,15%2D20%20minutes%20per%20pound.&text=Check%20the%20temperature%20of%20your,the%20bone%20with%20your%20thermometer.