Which ham doesn't have added sugar for Thanksgiving?

[BabyPhat1]

Every ham I see in the market has added sugars. I want to make a ham for Thanksgiving but can't find one! Is there a certain type I should be looking for? There are no butchers in Vegas, so thats out...

[not2late]

Try looking for a smoked picnic (or pork shoulder). The ones I get here do not have added sugar.

[MotherOfGizmo]

Try looking for a smoked picnic (or pork shoulder). The ones I get here do not have added sugar.

Same here!

[vikski]

There is a butcher shop on Valley View/Alta. Can't remember the name. Sorry. But it's worth looking into. They have a great variety of meats. It's a small shop and there is a Circle K (I believe) at that corner. By the water districts gardenening park.

[Naja]

Buy a chunk of pork and brine it for 48-72 hours in the fridge. You can easily make your own brine with a good grade of kosher salt, Splenda and spices. Follow any standard brine recipe but substitute Splenda for the sugar. If it calls for brown sugar, add 1/2 cup of soy sauce to the liquid for the savory browing effect without the carbs.

This is delicious; done it myself many times! For best results, slowly smoke or steam-cook the ham.

Mmm, you've inspired me. I think ham for Thanksgiving for me also, the homemade way. It is much better than any storebought ham, juicy and tender and flavorful.

[BabyPhat1]

Thanks girls!
I was getting so mad at the market the other day! haha
Not sure if I could brine my own though. I'm a make it simplified girl, so if I can buy it, I will. But it's good to know if I can't find one, so thanks!

[Naja]

Brine is easy.

Dump some salt and some Splenda and some spices like bay leaves into some water. Taste it; it should taste sweet and salty. Simmer. Allow to cool. Does an egg float in the mix? Does it taste nice? Then you've got brine that will work quite well for refrigerator curing (not necessarily for more serious long term preservation though).

A good recipe for just enough brine to marinate a tenderloin of pork in a Ziplock bag is 3 cups of water, 1 cup each of Splenda and kosher salt, 1/2 a cup soy sauce, 4 bay leaves, 1 tbsp peppercorns or cracked black pepper, a crushed garlic clove, 1 tbsp ground cinnamon or a few cinnamon sticks.

[BabyPhat1]

Thanks Naja! Does this end up tasting similar to ham that you would buy in the store? Just wondering what type of flavor this would have...

[vikski]

Have you checked into the Whole Food Market on West Charleston? They have a great meat counter. They might have a sugarless ham.

[BabyPhat1]

Saw the smoked picnic ham's at the store.
There's a Whole Foods near me, I'll check them out. Thanks

[Naja]

Does it taste like store bought ham? Hmmm. To some extent, but much better in my opinion.

The process for making ham more like the store bought style is a little more complicated than a quick brine; you'd have to do a slow smoking or steam cooking as well, and that isn't easily duplicated at home.

[BabyPhat1]

Ahh, I see. So maybe then I'll just try the recipe you posted for the brine. Thanks Naja!!