Can You Eat Ham on a Carnivore Diet? 5 Ways to Eat Ham on Carnivore

What Is Ham?

Ham is a meat product from the hind leg of a pig or boar, which is prepared by curing and/or smoking the meat. Curing ham involves adding salt, and sometimes sugar and other seasonings, to preserve the meat and add to its flavor.

Sometimes, the ham is also smoked after curing for additional flavor. Ham includes some types, like fresh, cured, smoked, and cooked.

• Fresh Ham: An uncured leg of pork
• Cured Ham: The ham is preserved using a curing process, which usually has more flavor than fresh ham.
• Smoked Ham: Has a smoky flavor
• Cooked Ham: Either boiled or baked after curing and/or smoking

Ham is available in different forms, such as whole hams, ham steaks, or sliced ham. Each form can be used in many cuisines and served both hot and cold.

Versatility is one of the main features of ham, but it also contains various nutrients, minerals, and vitamins, making it a nutritious food.

Learn More: Carnivore Diet Meal Plan: Your 30-Day Free Beginner Guide

Ham Nutritional Value

Ham is a nutritious animal-based food containing nutrients essential for health and fitness. Even if you’re not on a specific diet, you can benefit from ham nutrients.

The table below summarizes the nutrients found in 100 grams of ham [1].

High levels of fat and protein and low levels of carbohydrates found in ham, make it a suitable food to consume in a ketogenic diet like Keto and Carnivore.

Learn More: 20 Best Zero-Calorie Drinks: Are They Healthy for Weight Loss?

Can You Eat Ham on the Carnivore Diet?

If “Can you eat ham on a Carnivore diet?” is also your question, the short answer is yes. As a Carnivore diet focuses on animal-based foods, you can consume ham as a meat product.

However, you need to consider the specific guidelines and preferences of the version of the Carnivore diet you’re on, as some may have variations in what to include or exclude.

Some Carnivores focus on consuming unprocessed meats and avoiding additives or preservatives, so choosing minimally processed ham can align better with such principles.

So, if you’re on a Carnivore diet and wish to include ham, you need to learn different ways to add ham to your dishes. Doing so increases variety in your meals and encourages you to stick to the diet.

Learn More: Carnivore Diet Food List, What Foods Can I Eat?

The Best Ways to Eat Ham on a Carnivore Diet

Here are 5 easy and affordable recipes to include ham in your Carnivore meals. You can also try these Carnivore diet recipes.

1. Carnivore Bacon, Sliced Turkey, and Ham Breakfast Sandwich
2. Carnivore Ham and Cheese Noodle Soup
3. Carnivore Ham and Cheese Quiche
4. Carnivore Ham and Egg Cups
5. Ham and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast

Carnivore Bacon, Sliced Turkey, and Ham Breakfast Sandwich

Here are the ingredients and instructions you need to make 4 servings of this yummy Carnivore-friendly ham dish in 120 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 pack ham
• 10 slices bacon
• 1 pack turkey
• 1 block of raw cheese

For the Carnivore Sandwich Bread, you need:

• 8 eggs
• 1 lb. raw ground pork
• 5 oz. pork rinds
• 1/4 cup ghee or butter
• 1 tsp sea salt

For the Duck Fat Sause, you need

• 1 egg
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 cup duck fat
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Instructions

To make the Carnivore sandwich bread:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Separate the egg whites from the yolks and keep the yolks for later use.
3. Beat the egg whites on high until foamy.
4. Melt the ghee or butter.
5. Mix the raw ground pork, melted ghee or butter, and egg yolks using a blender until smooth.
6. Add the foamy egg whites to the blender mixture to make the batter.
7. Crush the pork rinds to make a powder using a food processor or blender.
8. Add the pork rind powder and sea salt to the batter.
9. Pour the batter into a pan and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
10. Remove the baked loaf from the oven and cool for 10-15 minutes.
11. Slice the bread as you wish and set it aside.

To make the duck fat sauce:

1. Mix the egg, egg yolks, and salt in a blender until smooth.
2. Add the duck fat to the blender mixture super slowly (it should take about 4 mins).
3. Blend for 1 more minute to reach the consistency of mayonnaise sauce.

To make the bacon:

1. Cook the bacon as you prefer.
2. Let the bacon cool.

To make the sandwich:

1. Toast the bread (if you like).
2. Put some Carnivore mayo inside both of the bread slices.
3. Place the ham, raw cheese, turkey, and bacon on top of each other, and put the other piece of bread on them.

Learn More: How to Start a Carnivore Diet? When Should I Start? [Expert Guide]

Carnivore Ham and Cheese Noodle Soup

You can make this dish in about 30 minutes, which yields 4 servings using the ingredients and instructions below.

Ingredients

• 10-12 oz cubed cooked ham
• 1 cup Carnivore Noodles
• 1/4 cup bacon crumbles
• 2 oz cream cheese
• 2 cups cheddar cheese (1/2 cup for garnish)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups bone broth
• Some salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Heat bone broth to simmer.
2. Add the cream cheese cubes to the broth and stir well until there are no lumps.
3. Add the grated cheese slowly and stir until it melts.
4. Add cubed ham and noodles and simmer.
5. Add heavy cream and let simmer for another minute.
6. Remove from the heat and divide into 4 bowls.
7. Garnish each bowl with bacon crumbles and grated cheddar cheese.

Learn More: Is Steak Good for Weight Loss? The Best and Worst Cuts of Meat

Carnivore Ham and Cheese Quiche

In 75 minutes, you can make 8 servings of this yummy ham and cheese quiche using the following ingredients and instructions.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. cooked and chopped ham
• 4 eggs
• 2 tbsp parmesan cheese
• 6 oz. mozzarella cheese
• 4 oz. mascarpone cheese
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• ¼ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a pie dish with butter and place onto a sheet pan.
3. Sprinkle grated parmesan over the dish.
4. Scatter the cooked ham on the grated parmesan.
5. Mix the eggs, heavy cream, mozzarella, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
6. Pour this mixture over the ham in the pie dish.
7. Drop small pieces of mascarpone all over the mixture in the dish.
8. Bake for about an hour until the center is set.
9. Let cool for about 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Learn More: Can You Eat Olives on a Carnivore Diet? Is It Healthy?

Carnivore Ham and Egg Cups

Using the ingredients and instructions provided below, you can make 4 servings of Carnivore ham and egg cups in about 15 minutes.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of ham
• 4 eggs
• Some salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease a muffin tin slightly to prevent sticking.
3. Line each muffin cup with a slice of ham, creating a cup shape.
4. Crack one egg into each ham cup.
5. Season each egg with salt and pepper.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until the egg whites are set, and the yolks are cooked to your liking.
7. Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Learn More: Can You Eat Turkey Bacon on the Carnivore Diet?

Ham and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast

To make 2 servings of ham and cheese stuffed chicken breast in about 45 minutes, you need the following ingredients and instructions.

Ingredients

• 4-6 slices of ham
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4-6 slices of cheddar or Swiss cheese
• Some salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut each chicken breast horizontally to create a pocket for stuffing. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
3. Season the inside of each chicken breast with a pinch of salt and pepper.
4. Place 2-3 slices of ham and 2-3 slices of cheese inside the pocket of each chicken breast.
5. Close the edges with toothpicks, ensuring the ham and cheese are enclosed within the chicken breast.
6. Season the outside of the chicken breasts with additional salt and pepper.
7. Place the stuffed chicken breasts in a baking dish.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. You can use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C).
9. Remove the toothpicks and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

To make these delicious Carnivore dishes, you need high-quality ham introduced below.

Learn More: The Best Meat for Beef Jerky and How to Select Them

5 Best Types of Ham

Determining the best ham is a matter of taste and each individual's ideas can vary. However, here are five popular types of ham.

• Prosciutto di Parma: It is a high-quality Italian dry-cured ham from the Parma region. It is known for its delicate flavor and silky texture and can be thinly sliced and served as part of charcuterie boards or wrapped around fruits.
• Jamón Ibérico: This Spanish cured ham is made from Iberian pigs and has a rich flavor and marbled texture. Jamón Ibérico has different grades, with the highest quality being Jamón Ibérico de Bellota made from pigs that are fed acorns during the last period of their lives.
• Serrano Ham: Serrano is a Spanish dry-cured ham more affordable than Jamón Ibérico, with a savory flavor and a firm texture.
• Country Ham: It’s a cured and salted ham popular in the southern United States. Country hams are aged for an extended period, resulting in a rich and salty flavor.

Black Forest Ham: Originating from the Black Forest region in Germany, this ham has a slightly sweet and smoky flavor. It is made from pork hind legs and is seasoned with a mix of herbs and spices before being smoked.

In addition to ham, bacon and sausages are two Carnivore-friendly options that can bring variety into your Carnivore meals. If you’re wondering which ones can better align with your goals and dietary needs, you can check their comparisons below.

Learn More: The Best Meat to Smoke: 15 Best Cuts to Throw into the Smoker

Ham vs. Bacon

While both ham and bacon are derived from pork, they differ in preparation, flavor, and usage. The following table compares and contrasts these two popular meat products.

Ham vs. Susagues

Ham is generally made from the hind leg of a pig and undergoes curing and smoking processes, but sausages are a diverse category of ground or minced meats mixed with various spices and seasonings, often encased in a casing.

The following table summarizes their similarities and differences.

Learn More: Can You Eat Pork Rinds on the Carnivore Diet?

Summary

The answer to the question, “Can you eat ha, on a Carnivore diet?”, is yes but you need to mind your portion sizes as some versions of the Carnivore diet exclude processed meats or allow minimal amounts.