What is a Picnic Ham?

The picnic ham, is a culinary gem that's not quite a traditional ham but tantalizes taste buds with its smoky allure. According to the National Pork Board, pork shoulder, often referred to as a picnic ham, is a versatile cut that's gaining popularity, with a 2.9% increase in sales in recent years. Though it's not a true ham, which comes from the hind leg of the pig, this front shoulder cut undergoes a smoking process that imparts a ham-like flavor. 

A staple in New England and Southern cuisine, the picnic ham is commonly glazed or barbecued, offering a festive centerpiece for gatherings. It's the perfect blend of taste and tradition, bringing a touch of celebration to any meal.

The term "ham" is usually applied to the meat taken from a pig's back legs. Picnic hams are instead taken from the front leg and shoulder area. They are often slightly more tough and require a longer cooking time than traditional ham. Expert butchers note that there is also more waste in the butchering process, as the bone structure of the shoulder requires additional carving.

One popular way to serve picnic ham is with a deeply sugary glaze. The uncooked meat is coated with a boiled-down mixture that usually contains molasses, cane sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter and cherry juice. Like traditional hams, the meat may be studded with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries during roasting.

A traditional New England dish is the boiled New England dinner, of which pork shoulder is a major component. This basic dish consists of slow-boiled meat and vegetables, including rutabagas, cabbages, carrots, and turnips. The New England dinner is thought to have derived from Irish-American cuisine, known for its simplicity and heartiness. A similar dish, called a Jigg’s Dinner, can be found throughout the Newfoundland and Labrador areas of Northeastern Canada. Although both dishes use this meat, it is commonly referred to as pork shoulder in context, as the boiling process removes much of the ham flavor.

To serve picnic hams on an actual picnic or for an outdoor summer dinner, some enjoy cooking the meat with a tangy barbecue-style glaze. For this recipe, the meat is boiled with spices, along with vegetables of the cook's choice. She can prepare her preferred barbecue sauce; one version of the recipe calls for a mixture of onions, vinegar, brown sugar, mustard and hot peppers. The meat is brushed with the sauce and baked, and it is recoated with sauce occasionally. While it may not be cooked over the grill, it will have a smoky and heavy flavor.

Because pork shoulder is usually considerably less expensive than traditional ham, it is excellent for families on a tight budget. For busy people, throwing some into a slow cooker with vegetables and spices will create a lovely stew by the end of the day. When teaching children to cook with meat, picnic hams can be an easy start to understanding glazing and flavor combinations. Whether with a complicated sugary topping or simply soaked in apple juice, it can stand up to most flavors and is a great meat for cooking experimentation.

A picnic ham, also known as a picnic shoulder, is a cut of pork that comes from the lower part of the pig's shoulder, above the front leg. It is a well-exercised muscle with more fat and connective tissue than a traditional ham, which comes from the hind leg. This cut is typically smoked and cured, giving it a flavor similar to true ham but with a slightly different texture and taste due to the different muscle and fat content.

Cooking a picnic ham usually involves slow roasting or smoking to tenderize the meat and enhance its flavor. It's often recommended to cook it at a low temperature, around 325°F (163°C), until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for safety and tenderness. Some prefer to score the skin and apply a glaze during the last part of cooking to add a sweet or savory crust to the ham.

Most picnic hams sold in stores are pre-cooked and can be eaten without further cooking. However, it's essential to read the label carefully. If the packaging states that the ham is "fully cooked" or "ready to eat," it can be consumed as is. If it says "cook before eating," the ham must be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to ensure it is safe to eat.

When comparing picnic ham to regular ham, the health aspects depend on factors like the cut's fat content and the preparation method. Picnic ham may have slightly more fat and connective tissue, which can contribute to higher calorie and fat content. However, both types of ham are processed meats and should be consumed in moderation due to their sodium content and potential preservatives like nitrates or nitrites.

Popular dishes that feature picnic ham include Southern-style ham and beans, where the ham is cooked with pinto or navy beans for a hearty meal. It's also commonly used in split pea soup, providing a smoky flavor to the dish. Additionally, picnic ham can be sliced and used in sandwiches, diced for omelets, or served as the main protein with a side of vegetables and potatoes for a traditional meal.