Best Country Ham and Biscuits Recipe

This Country Ham and Biscuits Recipe combines flaky homemade buttermilk biscuits with crispy, savoury country ham to create a comforting Southern classic that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or casual entertaining. Featured on Cook the Books Season 3: Celebrity Edition, hosted by Shahir Massoud, this recipe from Good Lookin’ Cookin’ celebrates simple ingredients and traditional baking techniques that deliver delicious homemade flavour in every bite.

The Inspiration

Country ham and biscuits have been a cornerstone of Southern American cooking for generations. Traditionally served at family breakfasts, church gatherings, holiday brunches, and community celebrations, this iconic pairing is loved for its contrast of buttery, tender biscuits and richly cured ham. The combination is simple yet deeply satisfying, proving that a few quality ingredients can create an unforgettable meal.

Featured on Cook the Books Season 3: Celebrity Edition, hosted by Shahir Massoud, this recipe from Good Lookin’ Cookin’ honours the timeless tradition of homemade biscuits prepared from scratch. Rather than relying on convenience ingredients, this recipe uses cold butter, shortening, and tangy buttermilk to produce biscuits with delicate layers, crisp golden tops, and soft interiors.

Shahir Massoud often highlights recipes that celebrate classic comfort food while remaining approachable for home cooks. This Country Ham and Biscuits Recipe reflects that philosophy by guiding cooks through straightforward techniques that produce bakery-quality biscuits paired with perfectly pan-fried country ham.

Ingredients

For the Buttermilk Biscuits

¼ cup shortening, plus more for greasing
3 cps all-purpose four, preferably King Arthur, plus more for dusting
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
½ cup (1 stick) butter, very cold and cut into ½ inch pieces
1 ¼ cup whole buttermilk, well shaken

For the Ham

1 teaspoon bacon grease or shortening
3 slices country ham, fat left on

Method

To make the biscuits, preheat the oven to 425F. Grease an 8-inch cast-iron skillet or a similar size baking pan with shortening.
In a large bowl or the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cream of tartar. Mix or process a few times to thoroughly combine the dry ingredients.
Cut the butter and shortening into the flour mixture by hand using a pastry cutter or pulse them in the food processor just until you get a crumbly consistency. If you’re using a food processor, transfer the dough to a large bowl. Add the buttermilk to the bowl and gently stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Place the dough on a floured work surface and, with floured hands, gently pat the dough to a 2-inch thickness. Use a 2 ½- inch biscuit cutter, cut out to 6 to 8 biscuits. Transfer to the greased skillet or baking pan, arranging to fit. Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the biscuits from the oven and allow to cool 5 minutes.
While the biscuits are baking, make the ham. Add the grease or shortening to a cast iron skillet. Do not trim any fat from the ham before frying. Melt the grease over medium heat, then add ham slices to the skillet. Fry over medium hear until the edges are brown, a few minutes per side. Remove the ham from the skillet and place the slices on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Cut the ham slices in half.
To serve, split each biscuit in half and sandwich a piece of ham between the top and bottom.

Serving Suggestions

This Best Country Ham and Biscuits Recipe is ideal for breakfast, brunch, holiday mornings, or relaxed weekend meals with family and friends. Serve the warm biscuit sandwiches alongside scrambled eggs, cheesy grits, fresh fruit, or crispy breakfast potatoes for a complete Southern-inspired breakfast spread. Their rich, buttery flavour also pairs beautifully with fresh coffee, sweet tea, freshly squeezed orange juice, or homemade lemonade.

For entertaining, arrange the biscuits on a wooden serving board and allow guests to assemble their own sandwiches. They also make excellent additions to brunch buffets, bridal showers, baby showers, and holiday breakfasts because they are easy to prepare in batches and simple to serve.

These country ham biscuits are equally delicious as a light lunch or afternoon snack. Pair them with a bowl of tomato soup, a fresh green salad, or creamy coleslaw for a satisfying meal. Because the biscuits can be baked ahead of time and gently reheated before serving, they are also a convenient option for meal preparation and casual gatherings.

Final Thoughts

This Country Ham and Biscuits Recipe celebrates everything people love about classic Southern comfort food. Featuring flaky homemade buttermilk biscuits and perfectly pan-fried country ham, this recipe from Cook the Books Season 3: Celebrity Edition with Shahir Massoud transforms simple pantry ingredients into an unforgettable meal that feels both rustic and refined.

Find more recipes from Cook the Books here!