Iberian ham or shoulder: which to buy
Ham is the hind leg and shoulder is the front leg: smaller, more intense and cheaper overall. We help you choose. A guide by Corredera Gourmet, Madrid.
Ham is the pig's hind leg and shoulder (paleta) is the front leg. Buy ham if you want more slices and a piece for many occasions; buy shoulder if you prefer a smaller piece with a more intense flavour and a lower total price. Within each, diet and breed set the quality.
What are the differences between ham and shoulder?
| Ham | Shoulder | |
|---|---|---|
| Part of the pig | Hind leg | Front leg |
| Size | Larger | Smaller |
| Yield | More slices | Less meat |
| Flavour | More balanced | More intense |
| Total price | Higher | Lower |
Which suits me?
- For a family or many gatherings: a ham is better.
- For a few people or a first Iberian at home: a shoulder.
- For a gift without a started piece: a carved and packed ham, or 100 g packs.
Hams and shoulders at Corredera, with prices
- Guijuelo Ham · Whole Piece — 200,00 € · Peso aproximado: 7 a 8 kg · de 200 € a 275 € la pieza
- Extremadura Iberian Ham · Whole Piece — 440,00 € · Peso aproximado: 7 a 8 kg
- Cebo de Campo Iberian Ham · Whole Piece — 280,00 € · Peso según pieza seleccionada
- 100% Iberian Acorn-Fed Shoulder · Whole Piece — 44,00 € / kg · Precio por kilo según pieza
- Free-Range Iberian Shoulder (Cebo de Campo) · Whole Piece — 25,99 € / kg · Peso aproximado: 5 a 6,5 kg
Frequently asked questions
Is shoulder worse than ham?
No, it is different: smaller and more intense. Quality depends on diet and breed, not just on the leg.
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