How To Make Ham Taste Like Bacon – Transform Boring Ham Into Smoky, Crispy Deliciousness

As a bacon lover, I’m always seeking ways to get that signature smoky salty flavor into as many dishes as possible. And while bacon makes everything taste better it isn’t always the most convenient or cost-effective option. That’s why I started experimenting with ways to make ham taste like bacon.

Ham has potential, but on its own it can be bland and boring. With the right preparation and cooking techniques, however, you can totally transform ham into a tasty doppelgänger for bacon. Read on to learn my tricks for making ham taste just like the real deal.

In this guide you’ll learn:

• Why make ham taste like bacon
• Choosing the right cut of ham
• Flavoring and seasoning ham like bacon
• Cooking methods to get texture and crispness
• Serving ideas for faux bacon ham

With the right balance of smoky flavors and crispy textures, you can easily fool people into thinking they’re eating actual bacon rather than humble ham. Let’s start faking!

Why Try to Make Ham Taste Like Bacon?

There are a few reasons why making ham taste like bacon can be a great idea

• It’s cheaper than buying actual bacon.

• Ham has a longer shelf life than raw bacon.

• Adds smoky, salty flavor without extra grease.

• Allows you to mimic bacon for dietary restrictions.

• Provides a low-effort way to bacon-ize any dish!

While ham will never truly replace bacon, crafting bacon-esque ham means you can still get that savory flavor anytime.

Choosing the Right Ham for Making “Bacon”

Obviously you can’t just grab any old packaged ham and expect it to taste like bacon. Choosing the proper cut of ham is key for getting the right flavor and texture:

• Go for a nice, thick-cut deli ham. The thicker the better for mimicking bacon.

• Avoid very lean or extra smoked hams, which won’t crisp up well.

• Get it sliced fresh at the deli counter for uniform thinness.

• Look for quality black forest style ham for great porky flavor.

• Prosciutto can also mimic bacon when cooked properly.

Ask the pros at the deli counter for a recommendation based on what you’re making. With the right cut, you’re primed for baconization!

Flavoring and Seasoning Ham for Maximum “Baconness”

Here comes the fun part – transforming the flavor of ham to taste just like bacon! Use these seasoning tricks:

• Maple syrup – Brush on pure maple syrup before cooking to get sweetness.

• Smoke flavoring – Sprinkle on a smoked sea salt or smoked paprika.

• Liquid smoke – Just a dash of this adds tons of smokiness.

• Cured seasoning – Rub on a commercial meat cure blend.

• Pepper – Finish with fresh cracked black pepper.

• Herbs – Rosemary, sage, and thyme add woodsy notes.

Layering on those signature bacon flavors is key to selling the illusion!

Cooking Methods for Crispy, “Bacon-y” Texture

To get that characteristic bacon crispness, you need to cook the ham just right:

• Pan fry – Fry in a little oil to get crispy edges.

• Bake – Cook in a 375°F oven on a wire rack for 20 minutes.

• Broil – Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes till browned.

• Grill – Get grill marks and char for a smoky flavor.

The goal is to cook quickly at high heat to get crispy, slightly charred bits. This mimics the texture of actual bacon beautifully.

Serving Ideas for Your Faux Bacon Ham

Once you’ve turned your ham into a dead ringer for bacon, get creative with how to serve it!

• Chopped on salads and in egg scrambles

• Crumbled on baked potatoes and hash browns

• Wrapped around grilled asparagus or green beans

• On sandwiches and burgers in place of regular bacon

• Tossed into mac and cheese or ramen dishes

• As a pizza topping or salad dressing component

• Crumble over roasted brussels sprouts or cauliflower

Anywhere you’d normally use bacon is fair game. And the best part is you can make a big batch of “bacon” ham to have on hand anytime.

Make Boring Ham Exciting Again!

With the right preparation tricks, even the blandest deli ham can transform into a smoky, salty, crispy treat. So next time you have a bacon craving, skip the supermarket sticks and try baconizing some ham instead. You get all that savory flavor for a fraction of the cost.