History
Cold-cured country ham was the Appalachian preservation method that brought Southern households salt-cured pork through the winter. Paired with the buttermilk biscuit, the country ham biscuit became the canonical Carolina breakfast sandwich by the early 20th century. The salt-cure draws on the Surry County, North Carolina ham tradition; Charlotte's Comet Grill and Bossy Beulah's serve the biscuit through the morning.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 350g self-rising flour, plus extra for dusting
- 60g cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 60g vegetable shortening, cold and cubed
- 240ml cold buttermilk
- Half teaspoon salt
- 8 slices cold-cured country ham, paper-thin
- Dijon mustard for serving
Method
- Heat oven to 230 degrees Celsius (450 Fahrenheit). Line a baking tray with parchment.
- Combine the flour and salt in a bowl. Cut in the butter and shortening with a pastry cutter until pea-sized lumps.
- Pour in the buttermilk and gently fold with a fork until just combined. Do not overwork.
- Turn out onto a floured surface. Pat to 2cm thickness. Fold in thirds twice, then pat to 2.5cm.
- Cut with a 6cm biscuit cutter without twisting. Place on the tray with sides touching.
- Bake 14 to 16 minutes until tops are deep golden. Split warm. Layer two slices of country ham and a smear of Dijon.
Tip from the editors. Keep everything cold. The fat must stay solid until baking starts; warm dough makes flat biscuits.
Where to eat country ham biscuit
Country ham biscuit in Charlotte
Haberdish ★ 4.7
Haberdish on N Davidson runs the NoDa Southern brunch programme Tuesday to Sunday in Charlotte, with biscuits and gravy, fried chicken plates and a strong.
OrderButtermilk biscuits with sausage gravy and the brunch fried chicken plate.
TipWeekend brunch fills early. Walk in at 11 on Saturday for the easiest seat.
Mert's Heart and Soul ★ 4.3
Mert's Heart and Soul on N College Street is the uptown soul-food room with a fried-chicken-and-sides lunch plate around $14, the budget anchor of the uptown.
TryFried chicken plate with two sides
TipThe two-side combo is the best value. Weekday lunch is the easiest seat.
More places near Haberdish and Mert's Heart and Soul
Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.
- Optimist Hall Market, about 600 m away
- Botiwalla at Optimist Hall Street food, about 600 m away
- Suarez Bakery and Barra Café, about 600 m away
- Bao and Broth at Optimist Hall Street food, about 600 m away
- The Dumpling Lady at Optimist Hall Street food, about 600 m away
- Noble Smoke at Optimist Hall Street food, about 600 m away
More cities are in research. Want country ham biscuit covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.