How Much Does a Ham Hock Weigh?

A ham hock is a cut of meat from the leg of a pig. It contains a portion of the leg bone surrounded by meat, skin, fat, and connective tissue. Ham hocks are often used to add flavor to dishes like soups, beans, and stews. But if you’re new to cooking with them, you may be wondering – how much does a ham hock weigh? Here’s a quick guide to ham hock sizes and weights.

Typical Ham Hock Weights

The weight of a ham hock can vary quite a bit depending on a few factors:

• Type of Hock – Ham hocks can come fresh (unprocessed) or cured and smoked. Cured, smoked hocks tend to weigh a bit less since some moisture is lost in the curing process.

• Size of the Pig – Hocks from larger, older pigs will generally be heavier. Young pigs and smaller heritage breed pigs will have smaller hocks.

• Amount of Meat – Some producers trim hocks more closely, leaving less meat attached to the bone The more meat on the hock, the heavier it will be.

• Bone Size – Leg bone size varies from pig to pig, so hocks from two pigs of equal weight could still have slightly different weights.

That said, here are some general ham hock weight ranges:

• Fresh Ham Hocks – 1 to 2 pounds each. Sold individually.

• Smoked Ham Hocks – 1/2 to 1 pound each, Often sold in pairs

• Jumbo Hocks – 2 pounds or heavier Usually the upper part of leg

So if you need ham hocks for a recipe, 1 to 2 pounds per hock is a good estimate. A pair of smoked hocks will likely weigh 1 to 2 pounds total. Jumbo hocks over 2 pounds are great for larger portions.

I checked in with a couple local farms in my area to get an idea of their typical ham hock weights. Here’s what they reported:

• Patchwork Family Farms in Missouri sells fresh hocks in pairs, averaging 8 pounds total per package. So about 4 pounds each.

• Liberty Delight Farms in Maryland sells smoked hocks individually ranging from 1 to 1.5 pounds each.

So real-world weights can vary, but 1 to 2 pounds is a reasonable starting estimate.

Ham Hock Weight vs. Ham Bone Weight

Ham hocks are different than ham bones, which are the leg bones left over after a whole ham is cooked. Bones alone will weigh less than intact ham hocks with meat still attached.

Here are some typical ham bone weights:

• Shank end ham bone – 1/2 to 3/4 pound
• Butt end ham bone – 1 to 1 1/2 pounds

So if you already have a leftover ham bone and need to know how much meat to add for recipes, estimate 1 to 1 1/2 pounds total for a hock.

Why Ham Hock Weight Matters

Knowing approximate ham hock weights helps when shopping and meal planning. A few reasons it’s good to have a weight estimate:

• Buying the right amount – Knowing weights helps purchase the quantity needed for recipes.

• Meal budgeting – You can estimate costs based on typical weights and prices per pound.

• Cooking time – Heavier hocks may need a little longer cooking time.

• Ingredient ratios – Adjust amounts of vegetables, seasonings, etc. based on hock size.

• Serving sizes – Plan portions based on expected cooked meat yield.

So while there’s some variability in sizing, having a reasonable weight estimate makes working with ham hocks much easier.

Weighing Ham Hocks at Home

If an exact weight really matters for your recipe, you can always weigh hocks at home on a kitchen scale. Here are some tips:

• Choose a digital kitchen scale that measures in pounds or grams. Look for at least a 5 pound capacity.

• Place a bowl or plate on the scale and press zero to tare it.

• Add ham hocks one at a time and record the weights.

• Round weights to the nearest ounce or 0.25 pound.

Then you’ll know the exact weight of each hock for your recipe. This works great for larger fresh hocks. For petite smoked hocks, you may choose to weigh them in pairs.

The Takeaway