$5.95 | 210 Calories
Waffle House’s Country Ham is a large, thick-cut, dry-cured pork product, typically served as a 5-ounce slice. Unlike the milder City Ham (which is wet-cured and smoked), Country Ham is famously:
- Intensely Salty: It is dry-cured with salt and aged, giving it a very strong, savory, and robust flavor.
- Firm and Tender: It is pan-seared on the grill, giving it a slightly crispy, golden-brown edge while maintaining a firm texture.
- Traditional: It is a classic Southern staple, delivering an unmistakable, bold, and traditional taste.
It is often ordered as a side or as part of a platter like the Country Ham & Eggs Breakfast (which includes two eggs, toast, and your choice of hashbrowns, grits, or sliced tomatoes).
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💰 Estimated Price
- Standalone Side of Country Ham (5-oz slice): $5.95 to $6.25 (Note: This is an upgrade and higher than other side meats).
- Country Ham & Eggs Breakfast Platter: $9.50 to $12.00 (This price is generally higher than the comparable platters with bacon or sausage).
🍽️ Nutrition Table (5-oz Serving, Standalone)
Country Ham is high in protein but is also significantly higher in sodium than other meats due to the dry-curing process.
| Nutrient | Approximate Value | % Daily Value (DV)* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ~210 kcal | — |
| Total Fat | ~9 g | ~14% |
| Saturated Fat | ~3 g | ~15% |
| Cholesterol | ~95 mg | ~32% |
| Sodium | ~1720 mg | ~75% |
| Total Carbohydrate | ~0 g | ~0% |
| Protein | ~32 g | ~64% |
🥕 Ingredients & Components
| Component | Key Ingredients (General) |
| Country Ham | Dry-cured pork (leg/shoulder), salt, seasoning/curing agents. |
| Preparation | Cooked on the shared flat-top grill with cooking oil/butter. |
⚠️ Allergens List
The standalone Country Ham slice contains no major allergens (it is naturally gluten-free).
Potential Cross-Contact:
- 🥜 Soy: Present in the cooking oil used on the grill.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between Country Ham and City Ham at Waffle House?
Answer: Country Ham is dry-cured with salt, aged, and has a very strong, intense, and salty flavor. City Ham is wet-cured in a brine, smoked, and has a milder, more tender, and slightly sweet flavor. Country Ham is also typically a larger slice.
2. Can I get Country Ham as a topping on my hashbrowns?
Answer: The “Chunked” hashbrown topping at Waffle House typically uses diced pieces of the milder City Ham. While you could likely ask the staff to dice up a portion of the Country Ham, it is not a standard offering and would be considered a custom order with an upcharge.
3. Why is Country Ham so much saltier than bacon or sausage?
Answer: Country Ham is saltier because it is preserved through a dry-curing process using large amounts of salt, which draws out moisture. This process is essential for its preservation and development of its intense, aged flavor, resulting in a significantly higher sodium content than the City Ham, bacon, or sausage.
4. Is the Country Ham available all day long?
Answer: Yes. Waffle House is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the Country Ham is available to order as part of a breakfast platter or as a side at any time of day or night.
5. Is the Country Ham gluten-free?
Answer: Yes, the Country Ham itself is typically made solely from cured pork and is considered gluten-free. However, because it is cooked on the shared flat-top grill where wheat-containing products (waffles, toast, etc.) are also prepared, there is a high risk of gluten cross-contamination.