History

East Tennessee country-ham curing traces back to the Appalachian smokehouse tradition of salt-curing whole pork legs through the winter. Knoxville breakfast plates pair the ham with red-eye gravy made from black coffee and ham drippings. Pete's Coffee Shop and Litton's both run the Tennessee country-ham breakfast year round.

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Common allergens: Pork

Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 15 minTotal 20 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 4 slices country ham, sliced 1/8 inch thick
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup strong black coffee
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 4 warm buttermilk biscuits
  • Stone-ground grits for serving

Method

  1. Soak the country ham slices in cold water for 30 minutes to reduce the salt level.
  2. Pat the ham dry. Melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat.
  3. Fry the ham slices 2 minutes per side until golden and the edges crisp.
  4. Transfer the ham to warm plates. Keep the skillet over the heat.
  5. Pour in the coffee and water and scrape up the browned bits with a wooden spoon.
  6. Stir in brown sugar and simmer 2 minutes until the gravy reduces slightly.
  7. Pour the red-eye gravy over the ham. Serve with split biscuits and grits.

Tip from the editors. Real country ham is heavily salt-cured; the cold-water soak is essential or the dish is inedible. Use coarse-ground country ham.

Where to eat east tennessee country ham

East Tennessee Country Ham in Knoxville

Pete's Restaurant and Coffee Shop ★ 4.6

$$ $8-15BrunchDiner breakfastDowntown

Pete's Restaurant and Coffee Shop on Union Avenue, the downtown diner since 1986, runs breakfast counter service voted Best Breakfast in Knoxville seven.

OrderCountry ham and eggs with grits

TipCloses 14:00 daily; weekend lines form before 09:00 and weekdays move faster.

Directions

Litton's Market and Restaurant ★ 4.7

$$ BurgersFountain City

Littons Market on Essary Drive is the 1946 Fountain City burger counter that anchors North Knoxvilles hometown dining without leaving its residential setting.

Why locals goThe Fountain City burger counter since 1946 has anchored North Knoxville's hometown dining without ever leaving its residential setting.

TipCash and card both work; the bakery case sells out by mid-afternoon. Closed Sundays.

Directions

The Plaid Apron ★ 4.6

$$ $15-25BrunchSouthern brunch with East Tennessee farmsBearden

The Plaid Apron on Kenesaw Avenue in Sequoyah Hills, the Southern brunch and dinner room, runs Wednesday-to-Sunday brunch with cinnamon rolls.

OrderCinnamon roll with grits and a smash burger

TipSunday brunch only; Wednesday to Saturday are full brunch and dinner. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Directions

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