Virginia

Country Ham Tacos

Virginia's salt-cured heritage goes handheld! Thin slices of aged country ham - a tradition dating back to colonial times - paired with sweet apple butter and buttermilk biscuit crumbles. The Old Dominion on a tortilla.

⏱ Total 20min 🍴 Serves 4 🌅 Breakfast ⭐ Southern Heritage

Equipment Needed

🍳 Cast Iron Skillet
🥄 Tongs
🔪 Sharp Knife
🥖 Cutting Board

Instructions

1

Prep the ham: If your country ham is very salty (most are!), soak slices in cold water for 30 minutes, then pat dry. This mellows the salt while preserving the flavor.

Tip: Virginia country ham (like Smithfield or Edwards) is salt-cured and aged. It's intense, salty, and unlike regular deli ham. That's what makes it special!
2

Heat the skillet: Melt butter in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Cast iron helps develop a nice crust on the ham.

3

Cook the ham: Add ham slices to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until edges are slightly crispy and caramelized. If desired, sprinkle with brown sugar during the last minute for a sweet glaze.

4

Make red eye gravy (optional): Remove ham from skillet. Add coffee and brown sugar to the pan drippings. Scrape up any browned bits and simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

5

Prep the biscuits: If using store-bought biscuits, bake according to package directions. Crumble coarsely - you want some texture, not crumbs.

6

Cook eggs (optional): For breakfast tacos, fry eggs sunny-side up or scrambled in the ham drippings.

7

Warm tortillas: Heat tortillas in a dry skillet until pliable.

8

Assemble: Spread a layer of apple butter on each tortilla. Add country ham slices, a fried egg if using, fresh arugula, and crumbled biscuit pieces. Drizzle with red eye gravy if you made it.

9

Serve: Serve immediately while the ham is warm and crispy. The combination of salty ham and sweet apple butter is quintessentially Virginian!

💡 Pro Tips & Variations

  • Virginia ham heritage: Smithfield, VA has been curing hams since colonial times. True "Smithfield Ham" must be cured within the town limits!
  • Salt management: Country ham is very salty. The apple butter isn't just for flavor - the sweetness balances the salt beautifully.
  • Slice it thin: Country ham is dense and intensely flavored. Paper-thin slices are ideal.
  • Red eye gravy: This coffee-based gravy is a Virginia tradition. The name comes from the "eye" of fat that forms when the coffee hits the pan drippings.
  • Biscuit alternative: If you can't make biscuits, crumbled cornbread or even crushed saltines work as a textural element.
  • Source locally: Edwards Virginia Smokehouse and Burgers' Smokehouse ship real Virginia country ham nationwide.
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