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Ham hock terrine

Name: Ham hock terrine
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 3 h 30 min
Total time: 3 h 60 min
Yield: Serves 8
Cuisine: French recipes
Ingredients: 3 ham hocks on the bone, soaked overnight in cold water then drained; 2 bay leaves; 4 fresh thyme sprigs; 1 tsp coriander seeds; 1 tsp black peppercorns; 1 large onion, quartered; 4 tbsp white wine vinegar; 50g gherkins, finely chopped; Large handful fresh flatleaf parsley, chopped, plus extra to garnish; Few sprigs fresh tarragon, chopped

Published: 17 Jan 18
Updated: 18 Mar 24

This ham hock terrine recipe is a great starter or buffet item for a large gathering as it can be made in advance.

For more tips and tricks, take a look at our step-by-step guide to making a terrine too. And for an alternative recipe, here’s an option: Donal Skehan’s ham hock terrine.

Medium
December 2017

Test kitchen approved

Serves 8
Takes 30 minutes to make, 3-3½ hours to cook, plus cooling and chilling

This ham hock terrine recipe is a great starter or buffet item for a large gathering as it can be made in advance.

For more tips and tricks, take a look at our step-by-step guide to making a terrine too. And for an alternative recipe, here’s an option: Donal Skehan’s ham hock terrine.

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 215kcals
Fat: 6.5g (2.1g saturated)
Protein: 35.2g
Carbohydrates: 4.4g (3.3g sugars)
Salt: 5.7g

For 8

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Ingredients

3 ham hocks on the bone, soaked overnight in cold water then drained
2 bay leaves
4 fresh thyme sprigs
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp black peppercorns
1 large onion, quartered
4 tbsp white wine vinegar
50g gherkins, finely chopped
Large handful fresh flatleaf parsley, chopped, plus extra to garnish
Few sprigs fresh tarragon, chopped

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Method

Place the ham hocks in a large pan with the bay leaves, thyme, coriander seeds, peppercorns, onion and vinegar. Pour over enough cold water to cover. Bring to the boil and simmer very gently, uncovered, for about 2-2½ hours, until the hocks are tender and the meat flakes easily.
Leave the hocks to cool in the liquid for about 1 hour, then remove and set aside. Strain the liquid into a clean pan (discard the solids) and boil vigorously for 1 hour to reduce by three-quarters to about 600ml. Line a 1.5-litre loaf tin or terrine with a double layer of cling film.
Remove the skin from the hocks, then shred the meat. Place in a large bowl with the gherkins and chopped herbs. Mix well and season with plenty of black pepper. Pack into the tin or terrine and press down firmly.

Slowly pour in the reduced liquid and allow to settle throughout the mixture. Cover with cling film and chill overnight. Garnish with parsley, cut into thick slices and serve with crusty bread and a good piccalilli.