What Is Tasso Ham?

Tasso ham is a Louisiana specialty traditionally made from pork shoulder that is cured, heavily seasoned, and smoked. Even though it is called ham, tasso is usually not eaten as a centerpiece meat. It is most often used as a seasoning meat in Cajun and Creole cooking.

The flavor is smoky, salty, peppery, and deeply seasoned. Because tasso is so concentrated, a small amount can bring a big Cajun flavor punch to an entire pot of food.

What Kind of Meat Is Tasso?

Tasso is usually pork, most often made from pork shoulder. It is seasoned, cured, and smoked until the flavor becomes concentrated. Some specialty versions may use other meats, but classic Louisiana tasso ham is pork tasso.

How Is Tasso Used in Cajun Cooking?

Tasso is commonly diced, browned, and added to recipes early so it can season the whole dish. It is popular in gumbo, red beans and rice, white beans, greens, gravies, dirty rice, jambalaya, soups, stews, cream sauces, Cajun pasta, shrimp and grits, and maque choux.

Pork Tasso and Smoked Tasso

Pork tasso is the classic style most cooks are looking for when they search for tasso ham. Because it is seasoned and smoked, tasso delivers more concentrated flavor than ordinary ham or basic smoked pork. Smoked tasso can be diced, sautéed, simmered, or added in small pieces anywhere you want bold Cajun flavor.

Tasso Ham Gravy and Cream Sauce

Tasso is especially useful in gravies and cream sauces because the smoky pork seasoning spreads through the sauce as it cooks. Diced tasso can be browned with onions, peppers, celery, or garlic, then simmered into a roux-based gravy, cream sauce, or pan sauce for shrimp, chicken, pasta, grits, rice, or vegetables.

Tasso Ham vs Regular Ham

Regular ham is often sliced and served as a main dish. Tasso ham is different. It is usually more heavily seasoned, smokier, spicier, and used in smaller amounts as a cooking ingredient. Think of tasso as a Cajun flavor booster rather than a deli-style ham.

Tasso Ham vs Andouille Sausage

Both tasso and andouille are smoky Cajun ingredients, but they are used differently. Andouille sausage is usually sliced into dishes like gumbo and jambalaya, while tasso is often diced smaller and used to season the whole pot. If andouille gives a dish smoky sausage body, tasso gives it deep smoky pork seasoning.

What Can I Use as a Substitute for Tasso Ham?

If you cannot find tasso, a smoky ham, smoked pork, ham hock, or andouille sausage may work in some recipes, but the flavor will not be exactly the same. Tasso is usually more peppery, more heavily seasoned, and more concentrated than regular ham.

Where To Buy Tasso Ham Near Me

If you have been searching for tasso ham near me, where to buy tasso, or where to buy tasso ham near me, CajunGrocer.com offers authentic Louisiana tasso online with nationwide shipping. That means you can get real Cajun tasso delivered even if your local grocery store, butcher shop, Walmart, Publix, Whole Foods, or neighborhood market does not carry it.

Order Louisiana Tasso Online

CajunGrocer.com ships tasso nationwide in insulated cold packaging to help keep your order protected in transit. Browse the selection below to find authentic Cajun tasso ham delivered straight to your door.

Tasso Ham FAQ

What is tasso ham made from?

Tasso ham is usually made from pork shoulder that has been seasoned, cured, and smoked. It is called ham, but it is most often used as a Cajun seasoning meat rather than sliced like traditional ham.

What does tasso ham taste like?

Tasso ham tastes smoky, salty, peppery, and heavily seasoned. It adds a bold Cajun flavor to gumbo, beans, greens, gravies, soups, stews, rice dishes, and cream sauces.

How do you use tasso ham?

Tasso is usually diced and added to recipes as a flavor-building ingredient. Many cooks brown it first, then use it to season gumbo, red beans and rice, greens, jambalaya, sauces, soups, shrimp and grits, and Cajun pasta.

Is tasso ham spicy?

Tasso ham is usually peppery and well seasoned, but the heat level can vary by brand and recipe. It is often more smoky and savory than extremely hot.

Is tasso the same as andouille?

No. Tasso is seasoned smoked pork used mostly as a flavoring meat, while andouille is a smoked sausage commonly sliced into Cajun dishes.

Can tasso ham be shipped?

Yes. CajunGrocer.com ships authentic Louisiana tasso ham nationwide with insulated cold packaging.

Where can I buy tasso ham near me?

If you cannot find tasso ham locally, CajunGrocer.com lets you order authentic Louisiana tasso online and have it shipped nationwide.

What is a good substitute for tasso ham?

Smoked ham, smoked pork, ham hock, or andouille sausage may work as a substitute in some recipes, but tasso has a more concentrated smoky, peppery Cajun flavor.

For more than 25 years, CajunGrocer.com has shipped authentic Louisiana specialty meats nationwide from trusted Cajun brands used in home kitchens, restaurants, gumbo pots, seafood boils, and traditional South Louisiana cooking.