Also called
🇺🇸Ham hock🇲🇽🇪🇸Codillo de cerdo🇦🇷Codillo🇫🇷Jarret de porc🇵🇹Joelho de porco🇧🇷Joelho suíno🇮🇹Stinco di maiale🇩🇪Eisbein🇩🇪Schweinshaxe↗🇫🇷Jambonneau↗
The ham hock is the joint between the lower leg and the foot of the pig. It is rich in collagen, cartilage, and connective tissue that dissolve into gelatin during long, slow cooking. It is typically sold smoked or cured and used to add deep, smoky richness to beans, lentils, and braised greens. Roasted or braised, the skin crisps into crackling.
Names by country
| Country | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Ham hock | Almost always sold smoked in the US, used to flavor beans and greens |
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Pork knuckleprimary | In the UK often roasted until the skin crisps |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Codillo de cerdo | |
| 🇦🇷Argentina | Codillo | |
| 🇫🇷France | Jarret de porc | |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Codillo de cerdo | Codillo al horno is a popular Spanish dish |
| 🇵🇹Portugal | Joelho de porco | |
| 🇧🇷Brazil | Joelho suíno | |
| 🇮🇹Italy | Stinco di maiale | |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Eisbein | Boiled/cured rear hock; 'Schweinshaxe' is the Bavarian roasted version. |
Find Pork knuckle near you
In the US, this cut is usually sold as Ham hock — ask your butcher for that. It's most likely to be stocked by a good local butcher.
Find a good local butcher near youOpens Google Maps at your location. Availability varies by shop — call ahead for specialty cuts.