How to Desalt Ham

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An overly salty ham can thwart your plans for the perfect dinner. Remove salt from the ham before you cook it by soaking the ham in fresh water and then rinsing off any remaining salty residue. You can also try boiling the ham to remove the salt or use less of it in a recipe to cut back on the salty flavor.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Removing Salt from a Ham

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  1. If possible, you will want to desalt the ham before you cook it. Whenever possible, try to desalt the ham prior to baking, roasting, or reheating. This will ensure you are able to remove as much of the salt as possible.
  2. If your ham is too salty, dilution is a great way to remove some of the salty flavor. Take the ham and place it in a container of fresh, cold water. Cover the container with a lid or aluminum foil. Then place the container in the refrigerator for at least 2-4 hours. This will help reduce the saltiness of the ham. [1]
    • You can soak a ham for up to 72 hours to remove the saltiness. The longer you soak it, the less salty it will be.
    • If soaking the ham for more than 4 hours, make sure you change the water regularly. Replace the water every 2 hours to reduce bacteria growth.
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  3. After you soak the ham, rinse it with water. Make sure you use fresh, cold water to rinse the ham. Rinse the ham completely. This will help remove any excess salt from the exterior of the ham. You can cook the ham once it is rinsed.
  4. If soaking the ham does not remove the saltiness, you can try boiling it. Cut the ham into large chunks and place the meat in a pot of boiling water. Boil the ham for about ten minutes. This can help leach out any remaining salt. [2]
    • Taste the ham after you have boiled it for about ten minutes. If it is still too salty, try boiling it for another one or two minutes.
    • Do not boil the ham for longer than necessary to remove the salt. Doing so can result in tough, dried out, or unappetizing ham.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Masking the Saltiness

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  1. If your ham turns out to be overly salty, you can diminish some of the saltiness by serving it with dairy products like cheese, sour cream, or cottage cheese. The dairy products will help counteract the salty flavor of the ham. [3]
    • Try chopping up the ham and cooking adding it to scalloped potatoes.
    • Add salty ham to an omelet with cheddar and vegetables for a quick breakfast or lunch.
  2. Acid can help mask the salty flavor of ham. If your ham is too salty, consider drizzling a little lemon on it to help mask the ham’s saltiness. Make sure you only use a tiny amount and no more than a tablespoon for the entire ham. Rub the lemon juice on the outside of the ham and let it sit for about 15 minutes before serving. [4]
    • You can also try white vinegar to help mask the saltiness.
    • Taste the ham after fifteen minutes. If it is still too salty, allow the vinegar or lemon juice to soak in for another ten to fifteen minutes.
  3. If you are dealing with leftover ham that is too salty, you can still make use of it by using less. For example, if you are adding the ham to a soup or stew, use two-thirds of the amount called for in the recipe. This can help cut back on the salty flavor while still allowing you to make the most of your leftovers. [5]
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  • Question
    Can soaking too salty ham in 7 UP take out some of the salt?
    Community Answer
    I soak mine in ginger ale overnight and find it removes a good portion of the salt.
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    Not Helpful 25 Helpful 132
  • Question
    Does boiling cooked ham in milk remove the salt?
    Community Answer
    Nothing completely removes the salt. Soaking or boiling it in any unsalted liquid should dilute the flavor content of the ham, including salt. Boiling it in milk might change the flavor and shelf life, as well.
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    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 21
  • Question
    How to remove salt from the ham joint?
    Community Answer
    Rinse with water, or submerge in water for about 5 minutes, then rinse. That way you can wash the salt away.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-save-food-thats-too-salty-article
      2. ↑ https://food52.com/hotline/4981-if-a-ham-is-too-salty-how-do-you-reduce-that-saltyness
      3. ↑ https://food52.com/hotline/4981-if-a-ham-is-too-salty-how-do-you-reduce-that-saltyness
      4. ↑ http://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-save-food-thats-too-salty-article
      5. ↑ https://food52.com/hotline/4981-if-a-ham-is-too-salty-how-do-you-reduce-that-saltyness

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you’re not a fan of super-salty ham, you may be able to remove some of the extra salt by soaking the ham before you cook it. Remove the ham from its package and place it in a large container of cold, fresh water. Cover the container with a lid or aluminum foil and place it in the fridge for at least 2-4 hours and up to 72 hours total to soak out the salt. If you plan to soak the ham for longer than 4 hours, try to change out the water every 2 hours or so to prevent bacterial buildup. When you’re ready to cook the ham, rinse it thoroughly with cold, fresh water to remove salt from the surface. If your ham is still too salty after soaking, cut it into chunks and boil it for 10 minutes to get any remaining salt out. You can also mask the salty flavor of ham by serving it with cheese, sour cream, or a splash of lemon juice or vinegar. For tips on how to mask salty flavor with lemon juice or vinegar, read on!

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      • Debbie Bowles

        Jan 1, 2019

        "I think I now have a couple good ideas for getting salt out of my country ham. I'm making ham biscuits ..." more
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