What Is A Hog Wing?

The hog wing appears just when you think you’ve tried everything meaty!

The new sensation on the block thanks to its deliciously tender and juicy texture, this is the perfect barbeque meat for every grill master.

How exactly do hog wings work? A pig wing, or hog wing, is a piece of meat that is cut from the hind leg’s large ham muscle. A hog wing contains a piece of bone (the shank), and the meat is carefully trimmed to reveal both ends. The perfect finger food for meat lovers!

Learn everything you need to know about this popular barbeque product if you’re intrigued by hog wings and considering trying them!

There are a lot of meat products with unusual names that go unnoticed – after all, we don’t doubt that hot dogs contain dogs or that king ribs are made from royalty.

Upon discovering hog wings, you start to wonder where the meat comes from. We all know that pigs don’t have wings – because if they did, they could fly!

The hog wing, or pig wing, comes from a pig’s hind leg and is actually a cut of meat.

The meat is carefully trimmed at each end to expose the bone, so they are similar to lamb shanks and chicken thighs.

Almost like a large chicken drumstick, these hog wings are easy to pick up and eat because of the bone. Some butchers call them pork without the fork.

Grill aficionados may disdain hog wings because they think they’re just a gimmick to sell a lower-quality cut of meat at a higher price.

When cooked properly, hog wings are succulent and flavorsome.

What Do Hog Wings Taste Like?

In order to obtain juicy and melt-in-your-mouth meat, hog wings are cut from ham meat, which is a lower-quality cut of meat that is cooked slowly to ensure it is tender and melts in your mouth.

A dark cut of meat from the bottom of the ham has a richer flavor. This cut of meat is full of connective tissue, which can make it tough if not prepared properly.

Low and slow cooking methods, however, convert this tissue into collagen, which melts into the meat and tenderizes it.

You know how delicious, velvety pork tastes and feels? That’s what we’re talking about here! Forget dry, tasteless chicken drumsticks – succulent, juicy hog wings are the real deal!

Grill chefs have their own preferences, but hog wings are well-suited to robust flavorings like smokey barbeque sauce or spicy meat rubs.

How To Cook Hog Wings

Cooking hog wings slowly over low heat is the best way to ensure that the meat cuts gradually tenderize.

If cooked incorrectly, hog wings can be tough and dry. Do not cook them quickly over high heat, as they will be chewy and unappetizing.

If you buy hog wings, make sure they have not been precooked – many artisan butchers sell cooked hog wings that simply need to be reheated.

Cooking hog wings at home has never been easier!

How To Cook Hog Wings In The Smoker

Cooking pig wings on a grill using a smoker is the best method. It certainly isn’t the fastest, but all good things come to those who wait.

You should ideally flavor the hog wings several hours before cooking with a dry rub or marinade of your choice.
While the grill is heating, remove the hog wings from the refrigerator to allow them to come to room temperature.
If the outside of the meat is slightly browned, you are aiming for an internal temperature of 160°F.
Wrap the hog wings individually in aluminum foil with a knob of butter, then place them back into the smoker for another hour.
It should be tender enough to easily lift from the bone after this time, and the internal temperature should be 210°F.
After unwrapping the hog wings, return them to the smoker or grill for 2–3 minutes until the exterior is golden brown.

How To Cook Hog Wings On The Grill

If a smoker isn’t available or the smoking method seems too time-consuming, you can grill hog wings instead.

Grill the hog wings for 40 minutes at 275°F, turning them regularly so they cook evenly.
Hog wings are cooked when their internal temperature reaches 140°F.
Cover them with aluminum foil and let them rest for ten minutes after they are removed from the grill.

How To Cook Hog Wings In A Crockpot

This slow-and-low method will give you pork shanks that are so tender and juicy that they fall off the bone without any effort.

Cooking hog wings in a slow cooker takes around four hours on high, or six to eight hours on low. To enhance caramelization, sear them first in a hot pan.
To keep pork wings tender and soft, cover them generously with a flavorful marinade before cooking them in the slow cooker.
Once the meat is cooking, don’t lift the lid – you’ll let precious heat and steam escape!

How To Cook Hog Wings In The Oven

If you’ve bought pre-cooked hog wings, the oven is a great option!

Put the pig wings on a baking sheet and preheat the oven to 375°F.
Serve the hog wings after they have been cooked for 12–15 minutes.