Y’all, ham is delicious. Whether it’s chopped up in an omelette layered on a sandwich or the juicy centerpiece of a hearty dinner, ham hits the spot. But if you’ve ever wandered down the deli aisle, you’ve probably noticed there are tons of different types of ham out there. Spiral ham, black forest ham, bone-in ham, boneless ham – the list goes on and on!
One type you may have seen is called “teardrop ham.” Which begs the question – what in the sam hill is a teardrop ham?? I was wondering the same thing myself, so I did a little digging to get the inside scoop. Keep reading to get the full rundown on what makes teardrop ham special!
A Little Background First
Before we dive into the deets on teardrop ham, let’s do a quick ham overview Ham is pork that’s preserved and cured in some way, whether it’s smoked, salted, aged, or cooked. Most ham comes from the back leg of the pig
There are a few main types of ham:
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City ham – Wet cured with salt, sugar, and spices and then smoked. This is the kind you usually see sliced at the deli counter.
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Country ham – Dry cured with just salt and sometimes smoked. These are more strongly flavored.
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Black forest ham – Uses seasonings like juniper berries and garlic in the curing process for extra flavor.
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Proscuitto – An Italian style that’s dry cured and then air dried, no smoking. It’s got a sweet, intense ham flavor.
The way the ham is cured and smoked gives it distinct flavors. Now let’s see how teardrop ham fits into the picture!
What Makes Teardrop Ham Special
Teardrop ham gets its name from the unique shape. Unlike a traditional rectangular ham, teardrop ham is rounded at the bottom and comes to a point at the top, mimicking an actual teardrop.
It’s basically a semi-boneless cut of cured and smoked ham. Teardrop hams are taken from the butt end of the ham, so they contain a round femur bone. The shank bone is removed which gives it that signature tear shape.
So what makes teardrop ham different from a regular sliced deli ham? Here are some key traits:
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Hardwood smoked – Real hardwood like hickory or applewood is used when smoking teardrop ham, giving it robust, old-fashioned smokey flavors. Yum!
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Naturally cured – Many teardrop hams rely on natural curing ingredients like sea salt instead of artificial chemicals. This gives a nice clean ham taste.
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Bone-in – That round bone adds extra flavor as the meat cooks, keeping it juicy and tender. The bone also looks quite dramatic when you carve the ham!
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Thicker cut – Rather than deli thin, teardrop ham is cut about 1-2 inches thick, almost like a steak. This makes it perfect for grilling or pan frying.
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Artisanal process – Smaller producers using traditional methods often make teardrop hams. You really taste the care and craftsmanship!
Overall, teardrop ham tends to be less processed and more artisanal compared to regular sliced ham. It highlights that strong, honest ham flavor.
How Is Teardrop Ham Made?
The process of crafting teardrop ham starts much like traditional ham. First, the pork leg is trimmed and cured using a dry rub or wet brine. Many teardrop hams rely on natural sea salt cures with no artificial ingredients.
After curing comes smoking. Teardrop hams get their iconic flavor from prolonged hardwood smoking using real wood chips or logs. Apple, hickory, maple and mesquite wood are often used to infuse the ham with rich, smoky notes as it slowly cooks.
The smoking time really depends on the size of the ham. A 15lb ham may smoke for up to 24 hours! Low and slow is the name of the game. This extended wood smoking is a signature trait of teardrop ham compared to deli ham which is more lightly smoked.
Once smoked, the ham is ready for aging. Some premium teardrop hams age for weeks or even months. This allows the smoky flavors to fully develop.
Finally, the teardrop shape is crafted by removing the shank bone while leaving the round femur bone intact. Trimming and shaping transforms it into that distinctive teardrop silhouette.
How to Cook Teardrop Ham
The cool thing about teardrop ham is that you can prepare it similar to a boneless ham roast or get creative and throw it on the grill like a steak! Here are some easy ways to cook up this delicious delicacy:
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Oven bake – Just throw the teardrop ham in a roasting pan and bake until heated through and browned. Glaze it with honey, brown sugar or maple syrup for bonus flavor.
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Slow cooker – Let it simmer for hours in a crockpot on low until fall-apart tender. The bone adds great taste.
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Grill – Get nice grill marks and a smoky char on a teardrop ham steak. Delish!
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Skillet fry – Cut the ham into 1-inch chunks and crisp it up in a hot skillet with oil or butter.
However you cook it, teardrop ham is juicy, smoky, and full of rich old-fashioned hammy goodness. It’s definitely a specialty ham worth trying if you see it at the grocery store or deli counter!
Brands to Try
Here are some top teardrop ham brands to check out:
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Burgers’ Smokehouse – A famous producer of artisanal country cured hams and bacons. Their teardrop is smoked over red oak and hickory.
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Clifty Farm – Crafts award-winning country hams in Kentucky. Their teardrop is dry rubbed with bourbon barrel wood ash.
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Newsom’s – A heritage Tennessee brand that’s been curing hams since 1917. They use a traditional salt and brown sugar cure.
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Broadbent – Another long-time Kentucky ham maker, their teardrops are smoked with