Is Ham Cured ?

[KCinNE]

My neighbor gave me a couple of frozen hams from the pig he butchered this past spring. I asked him if the hams were cured already or not. He did not know. I called the butcher and asked him, but he couldn't recall. So is there any way I can tell by looking if the ham has been cured already? I'd like to smoke them but hesitant since I'm not sure about the curing. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[PolishDeli]

Thaw the meat. If it feels like raw meat, it not cured. Cured meat looks a bit Grey, and feels tougher than raw meat.

Also, cut into the meat an inch or two. It should be a dark pink.

Cut off a piece and pan fry it. Color and flavor will give it away.

You can get get a fish tank test kit.

Amazon.com

 

[BigW.]

The above is good advice. You can smoke either. If not cured, you'll have pulled pork, if cured you'll get pulled ham. Or do as mentioned and if not cured, add cure and smoke in a few days. Several threads recently on Dave Omak's (RIP) ham etc.

 

[DougE]

The term "Ham" isn't an indicator of whether it is cured or not. Ham is just a cut off a hog. Fresh ham is not cured.

Also, cut into the meat an inch or two. It should be a dark pink.

Good way to tell which kind of ham you have. If it is not cured, use Dave's injection to cure it, then smoke it.

 

[SmokinEdge]

Like said, slice a piece and fry, if it’s pink it’s cured if it’s grey it’s not cured.

 

[bbqbrett]

I am not sure on that. I didn't realize ham was sick to begin with...bum bum ba dum.