The Best Hams to Order Online
Ham is a perennial favorite for festive gatherings, from holiday feasts to Sunday suppers. If you want the perfect centerpiece without the hassle of hunting local specialty stores, mail-order hams are a delicious, convenient solution. This guide reviews top online ham options—from classic spiral-cut to heritage-breed and country hams—so you can choose the best ham for any occasion.
Why Order Ham Online?
- Convenience: Delivered to your doorstep—no more searching specialty shops.
- Quality: Access to premium, small-batch, and heritage hams you can’t find in typical supermarkets.
- Variety: Explore a broad range: spiral-cut, bone-in, smoked, maple-glazed, and more.
Types of Hams You Can Order Online
Hams ordered online typically fall into a few major categories. Knowing their differences helps you pick the right ham for your taste and cooking style.
- Spiral-Cut Ham: Pre-sliced, easy to serve, often paired with sweet glaze.
- City Ham: Wet-cured, smoked, usually fully cooked and ready to heat.
- Country Ham: Dry-cured, intensely flavorful, usually requires soaking and cooking.
- Uncured or Natural Ham: No added nitrates or nitrites, often with a milder flavor and natural ingredients.
- Heritage Breed Ham: Uses pork from specific, old breed pigs prized for flavor and marbling.
What to Look for in a Mail-Order Ham
- Flavor: Smoky, sweet, savory, or a balanced blend—they vary widely.
- Texture: Moist and tender, but not mushy.
- Sliceability: Spiral-cut hams are prized for ease of serving.
- Glaze: Some hams come with glazes, ranging from classic honey to bourbon or fruit-based options.
- Shipping: Arrives cold or frozen, with clear reheating instructions and secure packaging.
- Weight and Servings: Consider your gathering size; hams vary from 5 to 18 pounds or larger.
Best Mail-Order Hams: Top Picks & Reviews
| Ham Name | Type | Flavor Profile | Shipping | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Country Smokehouse Organic Uncured Maple Bone-In Whole Ham | Spiral-cut, smoked, uncured | Smoky, with subtle maple sweetness | Arrives frozen, wrapped, shipped with ice packs | $161 (18 lbs) |
| Heritage Foods Classic Berkshire Ham | Bone-in, heritage breed | Rich, pork-forward taste, dense texture | Vacuum-packed, shipped frozen | Approx. $150–$200 |
| Edwards Virginia Smokehouse Surryano Ham | Country ham, dry-cured | Bold, salty, nutty, aged | Shipped via refrigerated truck | Approx. $185 |
| Snake River Farms Kurobuta Ham | Bone-in, heritage breed (Kurobuta) | Juicy, well-marbled, subtle smoke | Flash frozen, insulated packaging | $120–$170 |
| The Honey Baked Ham Company Spiral Sliced Ham | Spiral-cut, honey-glazed, city ham | Sweet, tender, familiar flavor | Shipped cold, ready to serve | $80–$140 (varies by size) |
| Broadbent’s Kentucky Country Ham | Country ham, bone-in | Robust, salty, southern-style | Ships unrefrigerated (aged and shelf-stable) | $80–$110 |
Detailed Review: North Country Smokehouse Organic Uncured Maple Bone-In Whole Ham
This spiral-cut ham arrives securely wrapped and frozen, preserving freshness. The smoky flavor gets a lift from a faintly sweet maple undertone, creating a balanced profile everyone will love. Spiral slicing makes for easy serving—perfect for buffet-style gatherings or sandwich-assembly lines.
- Pros: Smoky, faint maple sweetness, tender slices, easy serving.
- Cons: Instructions can be unclear—tenting with foil helps prevent dryness. Premium price point.
- Shipping: The box may show shipping wear, but the ham arrives well-protected by ice packs and packaging.
For best results, reheat gently with foil cover to retain juiciness and serve warm slices straight from the bone.
Other Notable Mail-Order Hams
- Heritage Foods: Their Berkshire hams offer unmatched pork flavor with dense, juicy marbling. Ideal for those who prize traditional breed meats.
- Edwards Virginia Smokehouse: The Surryano country ham is aged and dry-cured, providing a bold southern-style ham perfect for biscuits or sliced paper-thin.
- Snake River Farms: Kurobuta (Japanese Black Hog) hams are succulent and beautifully marbled, celebrated among chefs for their texture and richness.
- Honey Baked Ham Company: Spiral slicing and classic honey glaze make this a household favorite, offering consistently tender and sweet slices ideal for sandwiches or holiday plates.
- Broadbent’s Kentucky Country Ham: This traditional southern dry-cured ham is salty and robust, shipped shelf-stable due to its aging process.
Choosing the Right Ham: Key Considerations
- Size and Weight: Plan for approximately 0.75–1 pound of ham per person for bone-in hams; boneless hams yield more per pound.
- Breadth of Flavor: Smoked hams deliver rich, BBQ-like notes; honey-glazed hams are sweeter, while country hams offer intense, salty punch.
- Ease of Preparation: Spiral-cut hams require minimal carving; bone-in hams may need more skill.
- Dietary Preferences: Uncured or nitrate-free options suit some health-focused households.
- Shipping & Storage: Ensure your ham arrives frozen or chilled, and plan for enough fridge/freezer space.
Serving, Storage, and Reheating Tips
- Reheating: Always cover with foil and use gentle, low heat with a splash of water or broth to retain moisture.
- Slicing: Spiral-cut hams are designed for easy pulling apart. For bone-in hams, use a sharp carving knife and steady hand.
- Storage: Unopened hams keep in the fridge for up to a week; freeze leftovers promptly if not consumed.
- Leftover Uses: Cube or shred ham for omelets, soups, biscuits, fried rice, pasta salads, and more.
FAQs: Choosing, Ordering, and Enjoying Mail-Order Ham
Q: What is the difference between city ham and country ham?
A: City ham is wet-cured and often smoked, yielding a mild, slightly sweet or savory flavor. Country ham is dry-cured, aged for weeks or months, with a saltier, more intense taste. City hams are generally ready to heat and serve; country hams may require soaking and cooking.
Q: How do I reheat a spiral-cut ham without drying it out?
A: Cover the ham tightly with foil and add a little water to the pan. Heat at a low temperature (about 275–300°F) until warmed through. Avoid overcooking, as spiral hams dry out quickly due to the pre-slicing.
Q: Are mail-order hams safe to ship?
A: Yes, reputable suppliers ship hams frozen or chilled, packed with ice packs or insulation. Shelf-stable country hams don’t require refrigeration during shipping due to their curing and aging process.
Q: How much ham should I order for my gathering?
A: Generally, estimate 3/4 to 1 pound of bone-in ham per person, or 1/2 pound for boneless hams. Factor extras for leftovers!
Q: Can I freeze leftover ham from my order?
A: Absolutely. Wrap ham slices tightly and freeze for up to three months. Thaw and use in recipes from breakfast hash to casseroles.
How to Order Ham Online: Step-by-Step Guide
- Choose the type and size of ham to fit your needs.
- Check product specs: weight, cure type, flavor notes, and included extras like glazes.
- Review shipping methods—ensure your delivery date matches your event.
- Order early for holidays, as popular hams sell out fast!
Expert Tips for the Perfect Ham Experience
- Pair wisely: Serve ham with tangy mustards, fruit chutneys, or classic bourbon glazes to complement its richness.
- Presentation: Arrange slices artfully on a large platter. Garnish with herbs or citrus for color.
- Leftover magic: Use extras in breakfast scrambles, croque-madame sandwiches, or ham salad.
Ham Shopping Checklist
- Spiral-cut or bone-in?
- Smoked, glazed, or classic?
- Servings required?
- Seller reputation and reviews?
- Shipping policies and timeliness?
Frequently Asked Ham Questions
Q: Which ham makes the best centerpiece for holidays?
A: Spiral-cut, honey-glazed hams are the most popular for ease and sweet-savory flavor. For traditionalists, aged country ham or heritage-breed bone-in hams offer bolder alternatives.
Q: Do all hams come ready to serve?
A: Most mail-order city hams are fully cooked; country hams generally require soaking and cooking. Check each vendor’s instructions carefully.
Q: What’s the difference between uncured and cured ham?
A: Cured ham uses nitrates/nitrites for preservation and flavor. Uncured hams rely on natural salts or celery juice, yielding a slightly different—usually milder—taste and color.
Mail-Order Ham: Summing Up
Mail-order hams transform meal planning, offering convenience and gourmet quality for holidays or anytime feasts. Whether you opt for classic spiral-cut, smoky bone-in, or salt-cured southern favorites, choosing the right ham ensures a show-stopping meal with minimal fuss.
