When it comes to feeding a crowd there is nothing better than a one-pot wonder that takes minimal ingredients, minimal effort, and minimal cleanup. This Ham Boiled Dinner is just that the most flavorful minimal effort dinner your family and friends will ever eat.
A few years ago, I shared a recipe like this one using leftover ham. Even though that recipe was posted first it was not my first go with a ham and cabbage dish. That leftover dish was based on this classic I am sharing with you today.
Ham Boiled Dinner was a dish my Grandmother used to make. She had 7 children and raised them with the survival of the great depression mentality. Nothing went to waste, food or time.
Watching her in the kitchen was like watching a dance smooth, calculated, relaxed, it always seemed like she had not a care in the world when she was in her space. There was just something about it… Do you know what I mean?
This Ham Boiled Dinner is a simple and flavorful dish that is made to feed a crown with the relaxed, no care in the world feeling my grandmother used to have when feeding all her kids, their spouses, her grandbabies, and whoever else would walk through her door.
What you will need… most of which you already have in your kitchen
The first thing you will do is take the ham out of the wrapper and make sure there is no plastic tag plug thing where the bone is.
Place the ham shank, flat side down, in the 20 qt pot, cover with water and bring it to a boil.
Now cut the veggies into big chunks. Remember the bigger the chunks the longer it will take to cook. So, if you are in a hurry and the ham is already warmed through cut veggies into smaller pieces.
Once you have everything in and ready to cook cover and allow to cook until potatoes are fork-tender.
Also, if you like your cabbage a little crispy add it in closer to the end. If you add it too early, it will get soggy and mushy (some people like it that way, I am more of a crispy cabbage girl).
While things are cooking, clean cutting board, knife, potato scrubber, and carrot peeler leaving only one cooking dish left at the end of the meal, the 20 qt pot.
When potatoes are soft and ready everything should be cooked through. I like to take a large kitchen mixing spoon and take out the potatoes and veggies first, then carefully remove the ham (the pan, the water, and the ham are hot so be careful not to burn yourself).
Carve up the ham and serve with some butter and enjoy!
What To Do With The Leftovers
Now I hope you guys enjoy and share this recipe with your family and friends and experience what it is like to feed a crowd and relax while doing it!
Ham Boiled Dinner
Equipment
- 20 qt pot
Ingredients
- 1 8 lbs ham shank
- 2 large yellow onion Peeled and cut into quarters
- 1 2 lb cabbage Core removed, cut into chunks
- 6 large carrots Peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- 2.5 lbs russet potatoes Washed and cut into quarters
Instructions
- Place ham shank flat side down in a 20 qt pot, and cover in water and bring to boil, then cover and reduce to simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add in cabbage chunks, quartered onions, carrot chunks, and potato quarters. Cover and allow to cook 2 hours or until potatoes are tender. ***keep an eye on the pot to ensure it does not boil over.
- Once potatoes are tender remove potatoes, carrots, and onion and set aside. Carefully remove the ham and carve.
- Serve in a big bowl (potato, cabbage, carrot medley with ham on top) with a generous pad of butter and enjoy!
Nutrition
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Looks SO Good! Thanks!
Looks really good – and simple to make too! Thanks for sharing.