How To Cook Country Ham Slices

Salty, Smokey and the PERFECT bite with a soft southern biscuit, you’ll want to know EXACTLY how to cook country ham slices for the perfect southern comfort food! 

Why This Recipe Works…

• FAST
• EASY! 
• CHEAP! 
• Everyone needs to know how to get the MOST out of your country ham! 

Here’s How It’s Done

STEP 1. Soak your country ham slices for 30 minutes in warm water to remove a little of the salt. 

STEP 2. Drain the ham slices very well. 

STEP 3. Heat a heavy skillet to medium heat and add ½ tsp butter or oil to the pan. 

Heat oil in the pan

STEP 4. Place the slice of country ham down on the butter and cook for 2 minutes on side one. Turn and cook for 2 minutes on side two.  

how to cook country ham

STEP 5. Serve with a hot biscuit and some gravy! You won’t be sorry! 

how to cook country ham slices

How to Cook Country Ham Slices

Rinse the country ham to remove some of the salty taste. Dry well, cook with a little butter in a medium temp frying pan over medium heat for 2 minutes son one side and 2 minutes on the other side.

What Do I Serve with Country Ham Slices? 

You will always want to serve a great biscuit! Try either these made from scratch Southern Buttermilk Biscuits OR one of these 10x biscuits! You’ll also want some Red Eye Gravy. We also love these Pecan Waffles and Breakfast Casserole!

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Cook Country Ham Slices

Do I Have To Soak Country Ham Before I Cook It? 

Actually, this depends on your own tastes. My family finds country ham too salty if we don’t soak the slices first in some warm water for 30 minutes. If you prefer the super salty taste, then by all means, simply skip that step and move forward with the recipe.

How Do I Soak Country Ham Before Cooking It? 

Fill a large bowl with warm water to ¾ full. Place the ham slices into the water and allow to soak for 30 minutes. Dry the ham well before cooking. 

Is It Safe to Eat Country Ham Raw? 

So, country ham has been cured with salt but it hasn’t been cooked. I recommend cooking the ham first before eating it. That is also what my package of country ham says on the package material. Don’t believe me, check out the USDA. 

What Do You Do With Country Ham? 

Most people eat country ham slices on a biscuit or sandwich like you would a slice of city ham. Country ham can also be added to green beans, pinto beans or the like for flavoring. Country ham can be served as a meat at a meal time like bacon.

Do I Need to Cut the Fat From Country Ham Before Cooking It?

No, do not try to trim the fat from country ham before cooking it. You’ll need it to help cook the ham. 

Can I Cook Country Ham in the Oven? 

Yes, you can. Bake the ham slices on a baking sheet at 350 for 5 minutes per side. 

Can I Cook Country Ham On The Grill? 

Yes, you absolutely can. You may want to use a pan on the grill so that the skinny country ham slices don’t slip through the grates. Cook for 45 seconds per side on a 350 degree grill. 

Can I Freeze Country Ham? 

Yes, you can freeze your country ham either before you cook it or after. Put in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. 

How Long Does Country Ham Keep? 

• Country ham that is uncooked and in the plastic shrink wrap package lasts a long time in the fridge. Go by the date on the package. 
• Country ham that has been cooked is good for about 5 days if kept refrigerated. 
• Uncooked country ham that has been unwrapped is good for at least 5 days if kept refrigerated.
• A whole hanging country ham is different than the slices that we are talking about in this post. 

Tips and Tricks for How to Cook Country Ham Slices

• Choose country ham slices that are shrink wrapped and very thin sliced for this recipe. 
• Soak the ham slices for up to 30 minutes before cooking to help remove some of the salty taste.
• Make sure the ham is very dry before you start cooking.
• Don’t add any salt to the ham until you taste it. 
• The ham will want to curl while cooking, use your spatula to straighten it and hold it down. 
• The ham will shrink while its cooking, so start with a large piece.
• Serve with a hot biscuit or toast, this really sets off the taste.
• Red Eye Gravy is the classic side dish for country ham and is so easy and delicious to make, give it a try! 
• Country ham slices are so thin, make sure you have several to serve per person.

PRO TIP: We really love country ham with pimento cheese!  Give it a try!

If You Enjoyed This Ham Recipe, You Might Also Enjoy…

• How to Cook a Spiral Ham
• Cheesy Ham Tomato Sauce

Ya’ll Help Me Out, OK? 

Leave me a 5 STAR Comment in the comment section below! I appreciate it and it helps the world find the recipes here at Loaves and Dishes! 

How To Cook Country Ham Slices

Salty, Smokey and the PERFECT bite with a soft southern biscuit, you’ll want to know EXACTLY how to cook country ham slices for the perfect southern comfort food!

5 from 6 votes

Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate

Course: main

Cuisine: American

Keyword: country ham, how to cook country ham, how to cook country ham slices

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 minutes minutes

Total Time: 34 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 73kcal

Author: Wendi Spraker

Ingredients

• ½ tsp butter
• .25 lb Country ham slices

Instructions

• Unwrap the country ham and separate the slices.
• Soak the slices in a bowl ¾ full of warm water for 30 minutes.
• Remove the slices from the water and dry well.
• Heat a skillet over medium heat until the skillet is hot.
• Add ½ tsp of butter to the pan and immediately place the slice of country ham down on the butter. Use your spatula to hold the slice so that it doesn’t curl up. Heat slice for to 2 minutes on side one.
• Turn the country ham and repeat for 45 seconds - 2 minutes on side two.
• Remove the country ham slice to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
• Serve hot with biscuits or toast.

Notes

• Choose country ham slices that are shrink wrapped and very thin sliced for this recipe.
• Soak the ham slices for up to 30 minutes before cooking to help remove some of the salty taste.
• Make sure the ham is very dry before you start cooking.
• Don’t add any salt to the ham until you taste it.
• The ham will want to curl while cooking, use your spatula to straighten it and hold it down.
• The ham will shrink while its cooking, so start with a large piece.
• Serve with a hot biscuit or toast, this really sets off the taste.
• Red Eye Gravy is the classic side dish for country ham and is so easy and delicious to make, give it a try!
• Country ham slices are so thin, make sure you have several to serve per person.

PRO TIP: We really love country ham with pimento cheese! Give it a try!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

How To Cook Country Ham Slices

Amount Per Serving

Calories 73 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Cholesterol 19mg6%

Sodium 341mg14%

Potassium 81mg2%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 16IU0%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A VERSE TO SHARE

Have you ever been simply VEXED by something? I’m eating on something like that now. Maybe I should say it is eating at me. Please go read all of 1 Corinthians 9 to get the full gist, but here’s some idea….

1 Corinthians 9: 24-25

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

And Five Years Later…