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The Daily Insight

Is there another name for pork shank?

Author

Sarah Oconnor

Updated on February 28, 2026

HOCK. The rear hock is just like the shank of the front leg. It usually comes cured and smoked.

Is pork shank the same as pork butt?

The terms shank and butt are used for fresh pork as well as cured hams. If you are speaking of fresh pork, the butt is the upper part of the shoulder, and the shank is the lower portion. With a ham, it’s the hind leg instead of the foreleg, but the terms are used in the same way.

What is the difference between a pork shank and a ham hock?

Ham hocks tend to be bonier and have less meat on them because they come from the area of the leg that is closest to the foot of the pig. Ham shanks, on the other hand, are meatier because they come from the area just below the shoulder or the hip.

Are pork shanks the same as ham hocks?

From a culinary standpoint, ham hocks and ham shanks are essentially interchangeable with just two differences between the two. Ham hocks tend to be bonier and have less meat on them because they come from the area of the leg that is closest to the foot of the pig.

Are pork shanks good?

The Pork Shank is the front forearm of the pig. This cut is tough because the pigs develop muscles living in the woods, which in turn gives the meat incredible flavor that tastes next-level compared to layman’s pork. The bone it surrounds has marrow that melts into a braise when slow cooked, making it extra rich.

What does milk braising do?

Milk braising results in ultra tender meat and a nutty, golden sauce that’s far more delicious than it may look. In that time, the meat becomes tender enough to shred with a fork and the milk turns into a golden, silky sauce—that also separates, resembling curds of ricotta floating in a pool of whey.

How do you cook pork shank?

Place the pork shank in the Dutch oven. Allow it to brown on all sides. Use a pair of cooking tongs to rotate the meat from one side to another. It will take between one and two minutes to brown each side of the pork shank.

What is a pork shank?

Pork shank is a cut of meat taken from the lower portion of a ham. Traditionally, the word “ham” is reserved for a pig’s back thighs and leg region and usually comes in three sections, one of which is the shank.

What is a pork shank wing?

Essentially a pork shank, the pig wing is cut from the fibula of the pig. Serve deep fried, accompanied by a cold beer.