What is Toupie Ham? A Complete Guide to this Unique Cut of Pork

Toupie ham is a lesser-known cut of pork that is growing in popularity for its tenderness and versatility. But what exactly is toupie ham and how does it differ from other ham varieties? In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this unique type of ham.

What is Toupie Ham?

Toupie ham, sometimes spelled “toupee” ham, refers to a specific cut of meat from the pig. It comes from the top round section of the hind leg, near the hip/butt area. This area contains muscles that get minimal exercise, resulting in an extra tender cut of meat.

Some key features of toupie ham include:

Boneless – Toupie ham is boneless making it easier to carve and serve.
Lean – The meat has less marbling than other cuts like shoulder, so it is lower in fat.
Versatile – Its mild flavor pairs well with many different seasonings and cooking methods,
Economical – Since it contains minimal bone and fat, more of the weight is edible meat.
Tender – The natural tenderness of the muscles makes toupie ham melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

How Does Toupie Ham Differ from Other Types of Ham?

Toupie ham has some key differences from more well-known ham varieties like smoked ham, country ham, and prosciutto:

Boneless – Unlike bone-in hams toupie ham does not contain a femur bone.
Mildly seasoned – While some hams are cured, smoked, or aged extensively, toupie ham tends to have minimal seasoning. This allows its natural flavor to shine through.
Quick cooking – Toupie ham cooks faster than dry-cured or aged country hams which require lengthy prep. As a fresh ham, it only needs to be cooked to temperature.
Lower sodium – Without curing/brining, toupie ham has less sodium than heavily cured hams like prosciutto.
Lean and tender – With less marbling and fat, it is leaner than fattier cuts like shoulder and thigh.

How is Toupie Ham Used in Cooking?

The mild flavor and tenderness of toupie ham makes it very versatile in the kitchen. Here are some of the most popular ways it is used:

Baked ham – Toupie ham is excellent prepared baked whole, either plain, with a glaze, or studded with cloves or pineapple.
Ham steaks – Slices or chops can be pan-fried or grilled for meals.
Sandwiches – Thin slices are perfect in sandwiches and paninis.
Eggs – Diced ham is an excellent addition to scrambled eggs, omelets, egg bakes and stratas.
Pasta – Chopped ham can be tossed with pasta dishes, risottos, and grain bowls.
Soups & stews – Hearty chunks or cubes of toupie ham add flavor to bean soups, split pea soup, and vegetable soups.
Salads – Crumbled ham transforms salads into a meal, like in chef’s salad, ham and melon, etc.
Appetizers – Ham pairs wonderfully with pickles, cheese, crackers, pineapple, and melons for easy appetizer platters.

With its mild taste, toupie ham complements both savory and sweet ingredients. It’s easy to dress up with glazes, crusts or unique seasoning blends.

How to Cook Toupie Ham – Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooking toupie ham is simple, as it can be prepared similarly to other fresh hams. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Ingredients:

1 toupie ham (3-8 lbs)
1⁄4 cup brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup
2 tablespoons mustard
1⁄4 cup apple juice or cider
Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme)
Cloves, cinnamon sticks, or pineapple slices (optional)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Remove ham from packaging and place in a roasting pan.
Score the ham by making diagonal cuts across the surface 1⁄4-inch deep. This helps the seasoning penetrate.
Make a glaze: Mix brown sugar, mustard, and apple juice. Heat until blended.
Brush the glaze all over the scored ham. Insert cloves or stud with pineapple, if desired.
Roast for 15-20 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Baste with glaze and pan juices every 30 minutes while cooking.
Once fully cooked, tent with foil and let rest 15 minutes before slicing to serve.

The sweet glaze balances beautifully with the savory ham. Mix up the glaze ingredients to create your own signature flavor.

Common Questions About Toupie Ham

Is toupie ham already cooked?

Toupie ham is sold fresh, not cured or smoked. So it needs to be fully cooked before eating. Raw pork can contain harmful bacteria. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

Can you eat toupie ham cold?

Absolutely! Once cooked, toupie ham stays fresh for 3-4 days refrigerated. It makes an excellent addition to cold salads, sandwiches, cheese trays and more.

How long does toupie ham last?

An uncooked toupie ham will last 1 week refrigerated and 4-6 months frozen. A cooked ham stays fresh 3-4 days refrigerated, or 2-3 months frozen.

What’s the best way to reheat toupie ham?

For leftovers, slices can be quickly warmed in the microwave or oven. For whole cooked hams, heat covered at 325°F until warmed through, brushing with glaze.

Can you freeze toupie ham?

Both uncooked and cooked toupie ham freeze well for 2-6 months. Wrap tightly in plastic then foil. Defrost in the refrigerator before using.

Discover the Unique Flavor of Toupie Ham

Toupie ham offers a taste and tenderness unlike other cuts of pork. With its versatility to adapt to many different seasonings and recipes, it’s an economical, easy-cooking ham that is gaining popularity for good reason. Experiment with unique glazes or seasonings to put your personal spin on toupie ham. From holiday dinners to quick weeknight meals, discover how this excellent yet underrated cut of pork can upgrade your cooking.

62244 – Toupie-style traditional smoked ham

FAQ

What does toupie style ham mean?

Toupie ham is pre-cooked and is highly processed to remove bones and muscle, so what you are looking to be doing is to heat it up, and add flavors to it before serving. Ham can be boiled (rather, simmered). This removes some of the salt that the ham was cured with, as sometimes folks find hama bit too salty.

Is a toupie ham already cooked?

Toupie style boneless smoked ham Create incredible breakfasts, sandwiches and salads with toupie style smoked ham. It contains 13% protein and it’s fully cooked, making life easier in the kitchen.

What are the ingredients in a toupie ham?

Ingredients. Pork, Water, Sugars (sugar, glucose solids, dextrose), Potassium lactate, Salt, Flavours, Potassium chloride, Sodium phosphate, Sodium diacetate, Sodium erythorbate, Sodium nitrite, Smoke flavour, Smoke.

Is a picnic ham already cooked?

Keep in mind that picnic hams are pre-cooked, so all you’re doing here is re-heating it and adding a glaze if you choose.

How do you cook a Toupie Ham?

Baking is the most common method used for cooking a toupie ham. To bake a toupie ham, preheat the oven to 325°F and place the ham in a roasting pan. Cover the ham with foil and place in the oven. As mentioned before, cook for 18 to 20 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.

What is a Toupie Ham?

Understanding toupie ham: Toupie ham, also known as pea ham or top round ham, is a boneless cut of pork sourced from the top round area of the pig. It is popular for its tender texture and rich flavor. Toupie hams are often sold pre-cooked or smoked, making them easy to prepare for meals.

What is a smoked ham?

Toupie (Smoked) Ham: The name toupie comes from the french word toupie which means top ( a spinning top ) which is the shape of the ham This ham, made from the entire leg, used to be sold with the bone and thick layer of fat. Most consumers prefer deboned meat now with only a thin layer of outside fat, prepared according to traditional methods.

What is a fresh ham?

And just so we’re clear, here’s what ham is: meat from the upper part of a pig’s leg. Technically, it doesn’t have to be cured, but that’ll generally be referred to up front as “ fresh ham ” or “green ham”—or at least it should be, by all standards of decency.