Eisbein

Name: Eisbein
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 150 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 smoked ham hocks (about 1 1/2 lb each); 1 onion, quartered; 1 carrot, chopped; 1 celery stalk, chopped; 2 bay leaves; 1 tsp black peppercorns; 4 juniper berries (optional); 1 lb sauerkraut, drained; 1 tsp caraway seeds; 1 apple, peeled and diced; 1/2 cup chicken broth or water; 2 tbsp butter

A whole pork hock simmered for hours until the meat falls from the bone, served with sauerkraut, mustard, and a mound of mashed peas — northern Germany’s hearty answer to a cold winter night.

⏱ 20 minPrep time

🔥 2 hr 30 minCook time

🍽 4Servings

🏷 DinnerCategory

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Eisbein is a celebration of patience and pork: a smoked ham hock braised until the meat is meltingly tender and the skin turns silky. It’s hearty, salty and deeply satisfying — a cold-weather classic from northern Germany.

Traditionally served with tangy sauerkraut and mashed peas, the hock is a meal meant for slow enjoyment, often washed down with a cold beer. The leftovers make an incredible pea soup the next day.

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Step by stepInstructions

Place the hocks in a large pot with the onion, carrot, celery, bay leaves, peppercorns and juniper. Cover with water and bring to a boil.
Reduce to a gentle simmer and cook 2 to 2 1/2 hours until the meat is fork-tender and pulls away from the bone.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a skillet and add the sauerkraut, caraway, apple and broth. Simmer 30 minutes until mellow and fragrant.
Remove the hocks from the pot and let rest 10 minutes. Slice the meat off the bone or serve the hock whole.
Serve the hock with the braised sauerkraut and boiled potatoes or mashed peas.
Pass mustard at the table — it cuts the richness beautifully.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Skim the pot as it simmers for a cleaner flavor. Don't skip the rest step — the meat stays juicier if you let it settle before carving.

Recipe details

Prep20 min

Cook2 hr 30 min

Servings4

CategoryDinner

PublishedAugust 17, 2026

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

Eisbein

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Eisbein

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