I am a huge ham lover, and my favorite type of ham to indulge in is the Seranno Ham. However, lately eating it the same way every time has made me lose my appetite for it. It is exactly why I asked a chef friend of mine and got the answer to a question lurking in my mind – “can you fry Seranno Ham?”
Yes, you can fry Seranno Ham but with special care. It must be cut into thin slices and kept aside to adjust to room temperature. Moreover, when frying, heat the ham slowly rather than instantly toss it into high heat. Lastly, when frying Serrano ham, remember that you can fry it only once.
Continue reading the article if you want to know more about it.
Can You Fry Serrano Ham?
Many people will react to this question with absolute shock. Many consider Serrano Ham a delicacy that should be eaten uncooked. Nevertheless, to answer the question precisely, yes, you can fry or cook serrano ham according to your liking.
As the Seranno ham gets specially cured and air dried so that it has a life span of several months. The ham goes through a long and strenuous process to be this long-lasting. It includes trimming the pigs’ legs, rinsing them thoroughly several times, and coating them in salt generously.
However, the salt is removed later in the process, which is why Serrano ham tastes sweet. Lastly, the pig legs are hung and aged for up to 9 months to reach their edible stage.
Due to this, many people think the ham should be eaten uncooked to respect the process and the difficult work butchers go through to make it.
However, you can fry and cook it freely. Just remember you can’t fry the ham for long as it will start losing its uniquely sweet taste.
How To Fry Serrano Ham?
Serrano ham is a little tricky to fry. So, it is crucial to know the accurate steps for frying it, or you may end up ruining the taste and texture of the ham.
Here is a step-by-step guide on frying Serrano Ham.
Step 1: Relax At Room Temperature
First, remove the ham from storage and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. It will help the ham set to room temperature and cook evenly throughout.
Step 2: Cut It Cube
Cut the ham into your desired size. We recommend cutting it into small to medium-sized cubes as larger cubes often get fried on the outside and raw on the inside.
Step 3: Heat It Right
Take a nonstick frying pan and heat a scoop of butter. We recommend Land O’Lakes Butter to enrich the perfect flavor. You can also fry Seranno ham in oil or lard if you dislike butter.
Now, heat it for 30 seconds on medium heat.
We suggest using a very slight amount of butter or oil as cured meat is already fatty. Excess oil or butter may make it too oily to eat, leading to chest burn, acidity, etc.
Then slowly start putting the ham into the pan. We recommend placing one at a time if you are frying it for the first time to ensure it cooks evenly.
Avoid putting too much ham together once, even if you are not a beginner. It leads to the ham frying unevenly.
Step 4: Timing Is The Key To Frying
Once you start frying it, remember not to overdo it. You should fry Serrano Ham for a maximum of 25-30 seconds. Frying it for longer will result in the ham burning and losing its original taste.
Step 5: Toss and Turn
Continuously toss and turn the ham cubes around to ensure all sides get fried equally and no side gets burned. Once it starts turning brown and has a crispy layer forming around it on every side, your fried Seranno ham is ready to be eaten.
One pro tip: don’t throw the remaining fatty oil mixture from your pan, as you can reuse it to fry other ingredients such as vegetables, meats, and fries. Frying it in that mixture will add a unique fatty taste to your side dish.
Things To Avoid When Frying Serrano Ham
As easy as it may sound, several things must be avoided when frying Seranno Ham to get that perfectly fried piece of meat.
- Don’t cook it at high heat. As these are cured ham, cooking it in high heat will instantly burn the ham. Put it on low to medium heat, and don’t cook it for more than 30 seconds.
- Avoid frying large chunks of Serrano Ham. Large chunks often tend to remain undercooked in size. So, it is recommended to cut the ham into small to medium-sized cubes.
- Remove any skin attached to the ham. The skin will stop the insides of the Serrano ham from getting fried. However, it is okay to leave the fat on.
- Moreover, avoid cooking one side for too long. As you are already cooking it for a very short period, the heat needs to be evenly distributed. We recommend tossing or moving it every 3-4 seconds.
- Avoid using any added oil or butter if your cut of Serrano ham is already fatty. This is because the fat will act as natural oil and make the ham crispy when frying. Using additional oil will make it too greasy.
- Do not put it into the pan instantly after taking it out from storing unit. Wait until the ham adjusts to room temperature to ensure it is cooked evenly.
- Lastly, do not forget to remove any moisture the ham has. You can easily remove moisture by patting the cuts using a paper towel. It is crucial because the moisture will do the oil split everywhere and prevent the ham from cooking.
Can You Fry Serrano Ham in Air Fryer?
If you are trying to be healthy and wondering if you can air fry your Serrano ham rather than using oil to fry it, then the answer is yes. You can indeed fry it in the air fryer, but it will take comparatively longer.
To air fry your Serrano ham –
- firstly, preheat the air fryer to 350° F for up to 5 minutes with a minimum of 3 minutes.
- Once it has heated properly, place an oven-safe baking pan or a large aluminum foil into the air fryer. It will help avoid the ham from sticking onto your air fryer.
- Now, put the cuts of ham into the air fryer but don’t start frying just yet.
- Before you start your air fryer, pour 1/3 cup of water over the ham. It gives the ham enough moisture to cook and get a crispy layer. The water will act as a replacement for oil or butter.
- When everything is set, start your air fryer and set the timer to 8 minutes.
- Once 4 minutes have gone by, take out the ham, flip it over, and continue cooking for another 4 minutes.
- However, if you use cubes rather than cuts of ham, take it out every 2 minutes and flip it over to ensure every side is cooked to perfection.
- Lastly, remember that when cooking in the air fryer, the ham will be less crispy than when cooked in a pan.
Things To Serve Fried Serrano Ham With
As the cured Serrano Ham is very fatty, many people find it hard or overwhelming to eat it on its own. So, here are a few side dishes we have found for you that go perfectly with fried Serrano ham.
- Fresh Salad
It is one of the most perfect and healthy sides to have alongside fried Serrano Ham. The salad will primarily cut out the fat and oil from the ham, resulting in a well-balanced and tasty dining experience.
The ideal ingredients to put in the salad are tomatoes, spinach, lettuce, celery, carrots, beans, corn, and nuts. You can also add a dressing of your liking. The fresh vegetables will balance out the excessive fat Serrano ham has and add a change in texture when eating.
- Eggs
Eggs are another ideal side dish that goes perfectly with fried Serrano ham. Eggs will enhance the taste of your ham and balance it out. You can easily have Serrano ham with eggs neither less, whether it is scrambled, boiled, or sunny-sided.
- Bread
It, without a doubt, is probably the most common side dish people have with fried or raw Serrano ham. Pieces of bread are known for their ability to combine with different ingredients and improve the taste greatly.
Moreover, the carbs in the bread will cut out the greasy feeling Fried Serrano ham has.
- Baked Potatoes
Similarly to bread, potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, making them a perfect companion for Serrano ham. Baked potatoes already taste great on their own, but when finely fried Serrano Ham and some cheese are added, the meal transforms into a different level of amazingness.
As asparagus are fiber-rich, they also go perfectly with Serrano ham. Due to its taste and texture, the vegetable is already on the perfect side with greasy steaks, fish fillets, and chicken cuts.
FAQ’s:
- Can you fry Jamon Serrano?
Yes, of course, you can. Jamon Serrano is a cured meat similar to the Serrano ham, so you can fry it using the above-mentioned techniques.
- How do you cook serrano ham?
There are several ways to cook Serrano ham. You can either fry it in a pan or in an air fryer. Or cook it alongside other ingredients.
Neither less of with what you cook it, we recommend not cooking for any longer than 30 seconds because the meat will start burning.
- Does Serrano ham need cooking?
Serrano ham is special meat that is cured in a way that it can be eaten raw. Most ham lovers prefer eating it raw, but that does not mean you can’t cook it. Even though it does not require cooking, it is certainly possible to cook the meat.
- Can you fry jamón?
Jamon Serrano is a cured meat that can be eaten raw, but it is possible to fry it. You can also follow the steps we mentioned above for Serrano ham to fry Jamon Serrano.
Take Away
Can you fry Serrano Ham?
It is a question most people would rather not answer as it is seen as a delicacy to eat cured meat raw. But that does not mean you cannot cook it or fry it. Just make sure the meat is cut into small and thin pieces and is moisture free before frying it.
So, avoid using oil that heats up too quickly because excessive heat will lead to the ham burning exceptionally quickly.
