Can You Dehydrate Ham? Everything You Need To Know

Dehydrating ham is a great way to preserve it for longer term storage. By removing the moisture, it inhibits bacterial growth allowing the ham to last for months. But can you actually dehydrate ham yourself at home?

The short answer is yes, you absolutely can dehydrate ham! With the right preparations, techniques, and storage, homemade dehydrated ham can be a tasty and convenient snack or addition to meals.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about dehydrating ham at home Let’s get started!

Why Dehydrate Ham?

There are several benefits to dehydrating ham:

• Longer shelf life – Dehydrating ham removes moisture, which prevents spoilage. Properly dehydrated ham can last for months stored in an airtight container.

• More lightweight – The dehydration process removes water weight, making dehydrated ham lighter and easier to transport for hiking or camping trips.

• Unique texture – Dehydrated ham has a pleasant chewy texture that adds interest to snacks and recipes,

• Concentrated flavor – With the moisture removed, the flavors become more concentrated and robust.

• Nutritious – Ham is a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Dehydrating preserves many of these nutrients.

How To Dehydrate Ham

Dehydrating ham at home is a straightforward process but there are some tips and tricks to do it right:

1. Select and Prepare the Ham

• Opt for lean pre-cooked ham, ideally with a fat content of less than 10%. Deli-sliced ham works very well.

• Trim off any thick fat or rind.

• Partially freeze the ham for 30 minutes before slicing to make it easier to cut thin, uniform slices.

• Cut slices approximately 1/16 to 1/8 inches thick. The thinner the better.

2. Marinate (Optional)

• For added flavor, soak the ham slices in a marinade for 1-2 hours.

• Try soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, pepper, or teriyaki marinades.

3. Arrange on Dehydrator Trays

• Lay ham slices flat in a single layer, without overlapping.

• If needed, cut ham into smaller pieces to fit trays.

4. Dehydrate at 140-160°F

• Dry ham at 140°F for 12-15 hours for full dehydration. For pre-cooked ham, can go up to 160°F.

• Rotate the trays and blot oil from ham’s surface periodically.

5. Test for Doneness

• Ham should be dry and brittle with no moisture.

• An internal temperature of 145°F indicates it’s fully dehydrated.

6. Cool, Package, and Store

• Allow ham to cool completely before packaging to avoid condensation.

• Store in airtight bags or glass jars in a cool, dark place.

• Properly dried ham lasts for 2-6 months. Refrigerating extends shelf life.

Dehydrating Don’ts

Avoid these mistakes when dehydrating ham:

• Don’t dehydrate raw ham or ham with too much fat, which can go rancid.

• Don’t use thick ham slices, which dry unevenly.

• Don’t overlap ham pieces, which prevents proper drying.

• Don’t dehydrate at too high of heat, which can case hardening.

• Don’t store dehydrated ham at room temperature for more than 2-3 days.

Uses for Dehydrated Ham

The applications for DIY dehydrated ham are nearly endless! Here are some of our favorite ways to use it:

• Break up into pieces to add to omelets, breakfast hashes, and scrambles

• Make ham chips by dehydrating thin ham slices until crispy

• Add to pasta dishes, risottos, and soups for a boost of flavor

• Use in place of fresh ham in recipes like split pea soup and beans

• Crumble on top of salads, pizza, casseroles, and potatoes

• Mix with cream cheese or mayo for quick ham salad

• Rehydrate in warm water for 10 minutes to use like fresh deli meat

• Take backpacking, camping, or hiking for a lightweight trail protein

• Keep a pouch in your bag for an on-the-go high protein snack

Dehydrating Ham FAQs

How long does dehydrated ham last?
Properly dried and stored, dehydrated ham can last 2-6 months at room temperature. It keeps even longer when refrigerated or frozen.

Does dehydrated ham need to be refrigerated?
It’s recommended to refrigerate dehydrated ham if storing for longer than 2-3 months. For short term storage, an airtight container in a cool, dark place is fine.

How can you tell if dehydrated ham has gone bad?
Signs of spoiled dehydrated ham include mold, sliminess, strange odors, or visible oozing of moisture/oils. When in doubt, throw it out!

Can you rehydrate dehydrated ham?
Yes! Soak dehydrated ham in warm water for 10-30 minutes. For a more ham-like texture, you can also quickly pan fry rehydrated ham slices.

Is it safe to dehydrate raw ham?
Raw ham would need to be fully cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F before dehydrating to eliminate bacteria. Pre-cooked deli ham is the easiest and safest option.

Can you dehydrate ham in the oven?
While dehydrators are ideal, an oven can work in a pinch! Bake ham slices at 200°F for 2-3 hours, flipping periodically, until dried. Prop the oven door open slightly to allow moisture to escape.

So there you have it! With the proper method, dehydrating ham at home is totally doable. Dehydrated ham provides a tasty concentrated meat to use in numerous dishes and snacks. It’s shelf-stable for months, lightweight, and packed with nutrition. Give it a try and enjoy homemade ham wherever your adventures take you!