Jamón, whether Serrano or Ibérico, is a cured product that is eaten RAW. This type of food undergoes a curing process that allows it to be consumed directly, with no need for further preparation. If you buy a piece from Enrique Tomás, when it arrives home it is already at its optimal point: you simply need to open it, cut a slice, and eat it.
How to Consume Jamón
Temperature
Between 20°C and 25°C. If you have a whole piece, you can start cutting directly. If it is vacuum-packed and sliced, take it out of the refrigerator 15-20 minutes beforehand: the slices will separate easily.
Cutting
To cut it, you need the right tool set: a jamón knife, a sharpening steel, and a jamón holder. Watch our video tutorial to do it correctly.
Storage
Whole piece: Cover it with a lint-free cloth (never with the jamón's own fat). Vacuum-packed slices: Up to 3 months in the refrigerator. Once opened, consume them within a maximum of 3 days.
Gastronomical Use of Jamón
In Spain, the tapa of jamón ibérico is a symbol of our gastronomy. Plating also has its own art: the perfect slice is 4-5 cm long, neither too thin nor too thick. It is arranged from the outside of the plate inward, overlapping the slices with the fat side facing inward. A round plate increases elegance; wooden boards are the most popular alternative.
Pair it with cava or a delicate wine, bread with olive oil, or Sevillian picos. You can even pair it with melon: the sweet-savory contrast cleanses the palate between slices.
Plating of Jamón Ibérico
Cooking Jamón in Your Recipes: Yes or No?
To keep its organoleptic properties—flavor, aroma, texture—intact, the most advisable approach is to handle it as little as possible. But this does not mean you cannot incorporate it into recipes. The key lies in when you add it.
Recipes with Raw Jamón (at the end)
Jamón is added in the final steps, without cooking, to preserve all its flavor:
Jamón Ibérico Tartare
Green Bean and Sweet Potato Salad
Asparagus Cream Soup with Jamón
Recipes with Cooked Jamón (during the process)
Only when the recipe requires it: a soffritto, a quiche, or scrambled eggs. If you pass it through a frying pan, just a few seconds are enough:
Choose your favorite jamón and the most convenient format for you in our online store.
