Smoky Goodness: Crock Pot Smoked Pork Hock Soup

If there’s one thing I love more than anything, it’s the irresistible aroma and flavor of smoked meats. From chicken and fish to the heavenly double-smoked bacon. But there’s something truly special about indulging in a steamy bowl of smoked pork hock soup, also known as ham hock soup. As the weather cools down, this soup becomes one of my all-time favorites to prepare.

A Hearty Delight: Slow Cooker Smoked Pork Hock Soup with Peas

To start off this flavorful journey, you’ll need a few key ingredients:

• Smoked Pork Hock: Look for high-quality smoked pork hocks from your local German butcher or deli. The brining and smoking process they employ ensures the best flavor. However, if you can’t find smoked hocks, you have alternatives like smoked pork shanks, bacon, or even a meaty leftover ham bone.
• Chicken Stock: Opt for sodium-reduced chicken stock to balance out the saltiness from the hock’s brine. If that’s not available, regular chicken stock or water will work, just hold off on salting the soup until the end.
• Split Peas: While green peas are my personal preference, yellow peas work well too. They offer a slightly nuttier flavor, while green peas tend to be sweeter. If you want to switch things up, try lentils or cannellini beans for added protein and fiber.
• Aromatics: Enhance the soup’s depth of flavor with celery, onion, thyme, bay leaves, garlic, and a dash of pepper.

Finding the Perfect Smoked Pork Hock

For the best quality smoked pork hock, head to your local butcher. They’ll provide you with a nice, meaty hock perfect for slow cooker ham bone soup. Whether you ask for a hambone, ham hock, or pork hock, they’ll understand what you need. Butchers excel at seasoning and smoking ham hocks, offering a superior smoky flavor compared to grocery store options.

Effortless Cooking: Easy Peasy for Maximum Flavor

Aside from being incredibly delicious, this soup is a go-to because it packs maximum flavor without requiring much effort. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, making it a “set it and forget it” kind of supper.

How to Master Ham Hock Soup the Easy Way

Let’s dive into the simple steps to create this comforting dish:

1. Place your smoked pork hock(s) in the slow cooker and add the chicken stock.
2. Add half of the aromatics to enhance the soup’s flavor profile.
3. Set the crockpot on low temperature, allowing it to work its magic for hours on end.
4. Once the cooking time is up, strain the meat, bones, and skin from the flavorful broth.
5. Give the meat a chance to cool down slightly so you can easily separate it from the bones, fat, and skin.
6. Return only the tender meat to the stock and introduce a fresh round of aromatics to brighten up the soup.
7. Add the split peas to the broth and let them cook on high until they’re tender.
8. Serve and savor every spoonful!

For precise ingredient amounts, cooking times, and helpful tips to perfect this recipe, check out the handy printable recipe card at Rowdy Hog Smokin BBQ.

Tantalizing Twists to Customize Your Soup

Feel free to get creative and tailor this recipe to your taste preferences. If you’re in the mood for additional veggies, consider carrots, stewed tomatoes, or even potatoes. However, I personally enjoy the simplicity of peas and meat. Slow-cooking the smoked ham hock results in incredibly tender meat, while the peas impart a thick, hearty consistency. The smoky and salty undertones throughout the broth are simply divine.

Pairing this soup with a slice of buttered crusty bread takes it to a whole new level of satisfaction. The bread dipped into the flavorful broth is pure bliss. Alternatively, you can create a unique serving style by lining the bowl’s bottom with buttery mashed potatoes, then ladling the hot ham and pea soup on top. This presentation allows you to enjoy a delicious medley of meat, broth, mashed potatoes, and maybe even carrots—all in one delightful spoonful.

Storage Tips: Freeze, Reheat, and Enjoy Later

What’s great about this smoked hock soup is its ability to freeze beautifully. Portion out the soup into freezer-friendly bowls and store them for up to 6 months. Alternatively, you can fill freezer bags, remove the air, seal them, and freeze them flat on a baking sheet. Once frozen, stack them to save space. When it’s time to enjoy the soup, simply thaw it in the microwave or overnight in the fridge. Although the ingredients may separate slightly, a quick mix while reheating brings them back together seamlessly.

Questions? Let’s Chat!

I always strive to help you make the most of your groceries without compromising on flavor. This soup is a shining example of that philosophy, along with other recipes like my Slow Cooker Pineapple BBQ Meatballs and the simple yet satisfying Chicken Potato Bake. Give the Smoked Pork Hock with Peas recipe a try, and don’t hesitate to share your variations. Whether you’ve added peas, lentils, or potatoes, drop a quick comment below to start a delightful conversation. I’m excited to hear from you! Have a fantastic day!

~Joanne