Serrano ham is a Spanish raw-dried pork leg with a special delicate taste and aroma. The main thing in tasting jamon is not only its correct cutting into the thinnest slices but also a beautiful presentation. That is why it is crucial to know what goes well with Serrano ham and how to serve Serrano ham.

How do you eat Serrano ham? Serrano ham can be eaten on its own or used as a snack, served with melon, asparagus or green peas. Serrano ham is added in sauces and goes well with pasta and sandwiches. Serrano ham also goes well with pear and goat or blue cheese or scrambled eggs. Serrano ham is often added to light Spanish soups.

Not sure about the difference between Serrano and Iberico ham? Read this article.

Serrano ham is one of those delicacies that are important to present correctly. Place the meat slices on a plate and decorate with herbs, which will not affect the taste and aroma of the appetizer in any way. Additional ingredients are served separately. Sliced Serrano ham is laid out on a warm plate or a wooden board.

What goes well with Serrano ham? Serrano ham goes well with olives, herbs, cheeses, tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini, beans and cauliflower, zucchini, potatoes and pasta. Serrano goes well with salads, soups, hot and stewed dishes, where it is added just before serving, so the fat melts slightly, but the original taste is preserved.

Serrano ham is often served with:

• Sheep or goat cheese
• Soft feta cheese
• Varieties of soft cheeses with fresh basil
• Strawberries
• Pitted olives
• Sweet grapes
• Figs
• Pear
• Arugula
• Asparagus

Serrano ham is often served as a snack, in contrast to marbled beef steaks, which act as a separate dish. It is believed that fruits and wine best emphasize the refined taste and aroma of dry-cured meat. Peaches, figs are taken as fruits, and melon with Serrano and Iberico ham is considered a real classic, which every self-respecting gourmet should try at least once in his life.

See also: What Does Pastrami Taste Like? Pastrami Taste Ultimate Guide

What cheese goes with Jamon Serrano? Sheep or goat cheese, soft feta cheese and soft cheeses with fresh basil go well with Jamon Serrano. Manchego cheese and blue-veined cheeses like Gorgonzola,Stilton or Roquefort are often served with Jamon Serrano as they vary from soft and creamy to salty and crumbly and complement ham’s taste.

Do you want to buy Iberico ham as well? Check out the ultimate guide on what to serve with Jamon Iberico.

What do you eat with Serrano ham? Serrano ham is often eaten with hard sheep or goat cheese, olives, grapes, figs, green lettuce, asparagus. Usually, Serrano is not served with bread, as its rich taste must be enjoyed separately and slowly, savoring every bite. As a last resort, you can serve small toasts of white bread or small white croutons.

What do you do with Serrano ham? According to the experts, Serrano and Iberico ham should be served at a temperature of +20°C — +22°C. As the Spaniards say, the jamon should start to “sweat”. At this temperature, oleic acid manifests itself as much as possible — the main source of taste. Therefore, before enjoying the ham, it must be taken out of the refrigerator and kept for at least 10-15 minutes at room temperature until it warms up and a characteristic shine appears on the pieces of ham.

If the ham is already cut and packed in a plastic bag, keep it without opening it for a few minutes under running hot water and then put it on a dish.

A piece of Serrano ham should be held in your mouth a little so that it warms up and spreads its taste and aroma as much as possible, and only then slowly chew it.

What do you serve with Serrano ham? In Spain, Serrano ham is served with melon. It is believed that these two opposite tastes, salty and sweet, perfectly complement and simultaneously set off each other’s taste. Also, this dish can become a real decoration for your table without requiring any expenses. 

Melon and Serrano Jamon Salad Recipe:

• Put a few green lettuce leaves, arugula, cherry tomatoes, raisins, walnuts on the dish and add a few crystals of coarse sea salt on top, crushing it with your fingers, a little olive oil.
• Cut the melon into long thin slices, lay it beautifully on top of the salad and top this feast with a few slices of Serrano ham, sprinkling with balsamic vinegar on top.

The combination of Serrano ham and melon has already become a classic, and variations on this theme can be found in many restaurants. Besides, Serrano jamon goes very well with tomatoes, cauliflower, green beans, eggplant, potatoes, zucchini and pasta. It can also be served with olives and cheeses. The best addition to jamon would be dry red wine or sherry.

Serrano ham is eaten as an appetizer, traditionally with melon or fresh figs, and seasonally with asparagus. It is important that the ham is thinly sliced, so that its aroma and taste are felt even better. Serrano ham is also added to pasta dishes, pizza, fish, meat dishes.

Serrano Ham And Alcohol

What wine goes with serrano ham? Aged red wine Rioja, Ribera del Duero or dry champagne goes well with Serrano ham. Many also argue that Fino and Manzanilla wines are the ideal drink for acorn ham. Conversely, sweet and fruity wines like Zinfandel and Riesling are not considered a good option for Serrano ham. 

Alcohol is the traditional companion of jamon. Most often, it is served with dry wine from the same area where the ham was made. Ideally, these should be Spanish or Italian wines. The main thing is to choose not sweet drinks. Excessive sweetness can completely overwhelm the delicate jerky aroma of pork legs. It is better to choose young wines with a light fruity aftertaste. This choice is especially good when you try Serrano ham with fresh fruit. Pinot noir wines work well.

In addition to wine, Serrano ham can be served with chilled champagne, but always dry. Quality original craft beers are sometimes served. The beer should be light with a wheat or citrus aftertaste.