Country Ham

In Appalachian and Southern tradition, "country ham" is a salt-cured, often smoked ham, aged for months in a smokehouse or curing room. It’s salty, strong-flavored, and a centerpiece of farm and holiday meals.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

We always had 'country ham' growin' up, and I still do. I only eat the fat - the lean is too dern salty.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We always had 'country ham' growin' up, and I still do. I only eat the fat - the lean is too dern salty.

Pronunciation

[KUN-tree HAM]

Meaning & Usage

- A salt-cured, aged ham (noun)

Mae:

This ain’t store-bought, is it?

Earl:

Nope, this here’s country ham - cured last fall.

- A cultural dish in Appalachian and Southern cooking (noun)

Mae:

What’s for breakfast?

Earl:

Country ham, biscuits, and redeye gravy.

variations: salt-cured ham, smoked ham

★ Country ham ain’t for the faint of heart - it’s salty, smoky, and rich. Folks often soak or fry it before eating, and it’s best with biscuits or gravy. ★

Origin and Etymology

Country hams grew out of Old World curing traditions, carried into Appalachia and the South. With smokehouses on nearly every farm, salt-cured ham became a staple, especially in Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

Usage Notes

Still common in the South and Appalachia, though store-bought versions now exist. Traditionally, every family with hogs would cure at least one ham each winter.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "coun-tree ham." Drawn out slow in Southern talk.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

How’s country ham different from city ham?

Country ham is salt-cured and aged, often smoked. City ham is wet-cured or brined, milder and less salty.

Do people still make country ham at home?

Some do, though it’s more often store-bought today.

Is it always smoked?

Not always - some are just salt-cured and aged.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 2). Country Ham. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/country-ham
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Country Ham." HillbillySlang.com, 2 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/country-ham.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Country Ham." HillbillySlang.com. September 2, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/country-ham.