How to Freeze Ham Broth
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Learn how to make bone broth from a ham bone and how to freeze ham broth for later.
Should You Can Ham Broth?
Let me address a quick question first. I know some who come across this article are wondering how to can ham broth. But I can’t recommend it.
The National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) explicitly states that their canning instructions do not include canning cured, brined or corned meats. Ham is a cured meat and would need to be specifically tested.
Now to carry that over to canning ham broth. My thoughts on this are not as clear cut. Part of me really wants to say, broth is broth… but I am choosing to give the guidance that since the NCFHFP broth directions mention beef, chicken or turkey. I’m not willing to extrapolate that over to ham. Pork is a different meat.
The safest option is to freeze ham broth rather than can it. Freezing avoids the risks that come with preserving an untested recipe.
How to make bone broth with Ham Bone
This process is just like beef or chicken broth. Simply place a leftover ham bone in water in the slow cooker. Start on high for a couple hours to get things started, then turn down to low for several hours to overnight.
The slow cooker is my go-to, but here are two other great options:
- Stovetop: Use a large pot or stock pot and simmer the ham bone for 3–4 hours. Keep the heat low and top off with water if needed. Don’t add too much, you do want the broth to concentrate somewhat. But just keep an eye on it.
- Roaster Oven: Place the ham bone in a roaster, cover with water, and cook at a low heat (around 250°F) for several hours. This is great for big batches if you’ve got several ham bones.
Bonus Flavor Boosts (Optional)
Want to add extra flavor and nutrition? You can add veggies and seasonings to the broth, then strain the solids out before you freeze it. Remember ham is already salty so be cautious if you add salt. A few other options.
- A halved onion (no need to peel)
- A couple garlic cloves
- Chopped celery or carrots
- Bay leaves
- A few peppercorns
Remove the Fat
Since you are freezing, removing the fat is optional. After you’ve simmered, remove the bone and any solids then chill the ham broth in the fridge. Once cold, the fat will congeal on top of the mixture. You can then skim it off with a spoon.
The broth may be somewhat jelly-like in texture when cold, and that’s normal. In fact its good!
Freezing Ham Broth
Once cool, spoon ham broth into freezer containers. This can be freezer containers or freezer bags.
- I used these Ball Freezer Jars. They hold 16oz each. The lids snap on top and you can stack them in the freezer. I’m not sure why they are called freezer ‘jars’. They are food safe plastic containers. Very sturdy. I use mine for leftover storage too.
- You can also use freezer bags. Freeze in quart bags and lay them flat in the freezer. They will stack nicely and take less room.
- I’ve even been known to use empty cottage cheese or yogurt containers.
Small portions are handy: Freeze some broth in 1-cup containers, muffin tins, or ice cube trays. Once frozen, pop them into a freezer bag. That way, you can thaw just what you need.
Can you freeze in glass canning jars?
Yes you can freeze in canning jars. But I don’t care for it. I’ve had issues with jar breakage even when I leave sufficient headroom. If you do, be sure to use wide mouth or straight sided jars. Leave a minimum of 3 inch headspace to allow for expansion. If the jar has a shoulder do not fill past the shoulder of the jar. The swelling from the freezing broth may push agains those shoulders and break the jar.
Be sure to label containers with the contents and date so you don’t wonder later, “What is this again???” 😉
How long does it last?
Frozen ham broth is best used within 3–6 months but I’ve kept it longer than that.
Freezing Ham Broth
Equipment
- Refrigerator for chilling broth
- Masking Tape
- Pen for writing labels
Ingredients
- Ham Bone
Instructions
Freezing Ham Broth
- Boil ham bone with extra water for several hours to make a rich broth.
- Chill the ham broth in the fridge. Once chilled, skim off the fat from the top using a spoon.
- Spoon ham broth into freezer containers.
- Label containers with the contents and date.
- Freeze immediately.
Notes
Rigid freezer containers – plastic with secure fitting lids.
Glass jars – not really recommended… but possible. Using straight-sided, wide-mouth jars will have a lower risk of breaking.
You can use the frozen ham broth for making soups and stews, gravies, and adding flavor to many dishes that use other types of broth! Yum!
Before You Go…
Did you know…beef stock is very easy to make (and you can use a pressure canner to store it on the shelf for easy access)? Check out how to make and can beef stock here.
