Can serrano ham be fried?
Serrano ham is an exquisite Spanish delicacy that can be featured in a wide variety of dishes, whether cured, fried or cooked. Because of this, many people ask: can Serrano ham be fried? The answer is YES. You can fry or cook your cured ham, but before doing so, there are a few handy tricks to keep in mind. At Enrique Tomás, we will take you through how to use it across different recipes and when it is actually worth cooking it.
How to Use Serrano Ham in Different Dishes
Serrano ham is a staple ingredient in many traditional recipes, such as huevos rotos (fried eggs and chips topped with ham) or lentil stew. However, the ideal preparation method depends on the dish. For lentil stew, it is straightforward: simply add the ham during the simmering process to infuse rich flavour into the broth. For other dishes, the approach is slightly different.
How to Make Huevos Rotos with Ham
To prepare huevos rotos, fry the potatoes first and arrange them in an earthenware dish or serving bowl. Top them with fried eggs, and finish by scattering cured ham cut into cubes (taquitos) or fine shavings (virutas) over the top. There is no need to fry the ham beforehand—the residual heat from the eggs and chips will bring out its full flavour!
Spaghetti Carbonara with Ham
If you fancy making spaghetti carbonara using cured ham instead of pancetta or bacon, crisping it up is recommended. Dice the ham into small pieces and fry them in a pan over a low heat without adding any oil. It will crisp up beautifully in its own natural fat, adding a rich, savoury crunch to your pasta.
Fancy Making Ham Croquettes?
When making Spanish ham croquettes (croquetas), the technique is very similar. Just keep one key detail in mind: go easy on the salt. The natural curing process already imparts plenty of saltiness to season the entire béchamel mixture.
For Pizza Lovers
When topping a pizza, you have two options: lightly pan-fry the ham first to make it extra crispy, or lay the slices straight onto the dough before baking so they heat through in the oven. Both options work brilliantly—though at Enrique Tomás, we prefer enjoying it unheated!
Why We Recommend Not Frying Serrano Ham
Although Serrano ham can easily be fried or cooked, at Enrique Tomás we believe it is best enjoyed naturally—cured and unheated! To appreciate its full depth of flavour and aroma, simply open one of our vacuum-sealed packets, allow the ham to breathe at room temperature for a few minutes, and serve it over crusty bread with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Alternatively, pair it with crunchy picos sevillanos breadsticks for an authentic Spanish gourmet experience.
Buy Spanish ham and enjoy it at its absolute finest!
