Taste-Tested: Top Deli Meat Brands for Gourmet Sandwich Lovers

In the world of culinary delights, few things can compete with the irresistible allure of fresh, high-quality deli meats. Whether you're crafting the perfect sandwich or complementing a gourmet cheese platter, choosing the right brand of deli meat can make all the difference. With a plethora of options available, finding the best brands that guarantee flavor and quality can be a daunting task. To aid in your quest for the perfect slice, we've curated a list of top-rated deli meat brands that have consistently delivered on taste and quality below.

Illustration of deli meat

Best brands of deli meat in 2025

Boar's Head

Boar's Head is a renowned producer of premium deli meats, having maintained its excellence since 1905. The brand faced a significant challenge in 2024 with a listeria outbreak affecting around 7 million pounds of its deli meat, leading to a recall and impacting consumer trust, resulting in a 7% decline in deli department sales. Despite this, Boar's Head has been a key player in the global deli meat market, which is projected to grow by USD 76.75 billion from 2022 to 2027, with a CAGR of 7.78%. The brand is particularly strong in the North American market, where it contributes to the region's dominance in the deli meat sector. Boar's Head's commitment to quality and innovation, such as expanding its organic and natural product offerings, continues to drive its market presence. For more detailed insights, you can visit their official website.

Applegate

Applegate, a leading brand in the deli meat market, is renowned for its high-quality natural and organic products, produced without antibiotics, added hormones, or GMO ingredients. Founded in 1987, Applegate has been a pioneer in regenerative agriculture, with initiatives like the DO GOOD DOG(tm) hot dog contributing to the regeneration of over 260,000 acres of U.S. grasslands. The brand has been recognized as one of Fast Company's 2023 Brands That Matter for its groundbreaking efforts in sustainable practices. Applegate's products, such as its organic and natural deli meats, are part of a broader market trend seeing a 7.78% CAGR from 2022 to 2027. With its commitment to humane animal treatment and environmental sustainability, Applegate continues to drive consumer interest and market growth.

Dietz & Watson

Dietz & Watson is renowned as one of the top producers of deli meat, emphasizing a commitment to quality, safety, and transparency since 1939. The company is known for its handcrafted meats and artisan cheeses, with a philosophy of doing things "The Right Way," which includes cooking meats to their natural weight and blending spices by hand. Dietz & Watson's products are set to be introduced in all Schnucks stores starting November 2024, offering customers a broad assortment of premium deli options. The partnership highlights the brand's strong focus on customer feedback and the demand for high-quality deli meats, as seen in the significant growth in the deli meat market, with the global market expected to reach $27,405.4 million by 2030. This commitment to quality has earned Dietz & Watson a trusted place in the market.

Hillshire Farm

Hillshire Farm is a leading brand in the deli meat market, renowned for its high-quality products that have garnered significant market share. In 2021, the US deli meat market, which includes brands like Hillshire Farm, recorded sales of $7.7 billion, with the grab & go and pre-sliced segments experiencing substantial growth of 55.5% and 20.3%, respectively, between 2020 and January 2022. Hillshire Farm's products, such as their slow-roasted and double-sealed lunch meats, contribute to the brand's strong performance. The brand is part of the larger market that is expected to grow steadily, with the global deli meat market anticipated to reach $90.94 billion by 2028. Hillshire Farm's commitment to innovation and quality has helped it maintain a strong presence in the market.

Oscar Mayer

Oscar Mayer is a leading brand in the deli meat market, renowned for its high-quality products. As of 2024, Oscar Mayer was the second leading refrigerated sliced lunchmeat brand in the United States, with sales of about $414.74 million over a 12-week period ending July 14, 2024. The brand's market share in the cold cuts and processed meats market was 17.5% in 2017, and it accounts for about 20% of Kraft Heinz's U.S. revenue. Despite facing competition from premium brands, Oscar Mayer remains a significant player, though its sales growth has been slower than some rivals, such as Hormel's Applegate and Tyson's Hillshire, which saw sales surges of 37% and 27%, respectively, in an 8-week period in 2020. Discover more about their Applewood Smoked Uncured Ham Sliced Lunch Meat.

Columbus Craft Meats

Columbus Craft Meats is a renowned producer of premium deli meats, particularly known for its high-quality Italian salami and artisanal charcuterie. The company, which has been in operation for over 100 years since its founding in 1917, has recently expanded its production capacity by 30% through a $16 million plant expansion in Hayward, California, following a previous 50% capacity increase in 2015. Columbus Craft Meats is owned by Arbor Investments and was later acquired by Hormel Foods in 2017 for $850 million, marking Hormel's largest acquisition to date. The brand is celebrated for using premium cuts of meat and natural ingredients, including antibiotic-free options, and is the most-distributed meat brand in U.S. delis. For more information, visit their official website.

Hormel

Hormel is a leading producer of deli meats, known for its wide variety of products that cater to discerning palates. The company's deli meats are available in local delis and supermarket deli sections, offering a range of flavors and textures. As part of the global deli meat market, Hormel, along with other major companies like Cargill Incorporated and Conagra Foods, Inc., holds a significant market share. The global deli meat market, which includes Hormel's products, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2030, with hypermarkets/supermarkets accounting for around 39% of the market share in 2020. Hormel's products are distributed widely, including in all 50 states of the US and in several international markets.

Niman Ranch

Niman Ranch is a leading producer of deli meat, known for its commitment to sustainability, animal welfare, and high-quality products. The brand has experienced an impressive 150% growth in deli-sliced beef over the last decade, collaborating with over 750 small, independent US family farmers and ranchers who adhere to strict animal welfare protocols. Niman Ranch products are certified humane, organic, and free from antibiotics, synthetic hormones, and GMOs. The company's harvesting and fabrication facility is 100% solar powered and employs a closed loop system to ensure minimal stress for animals. Niman Ranch's extensive network generates significant economic value, contributing nearly $50 million in total output and over $20 million in added economic value for local communities. For more detailed information, visit their official website.

Land O'Frost

Land O'Frost, founded in 1958, is a leading manufacturer of pre-sliced meats, breakfast meats, and specialty hot dogs and sausages, standing as the third largest national lunch meat brand. With over $868 million in annual revenue as of 2024 and more than 1,000 employees, the company has expanded its product portfolio through strategic acquisitions, such as the addition of Wellshire Farms in 2018. Land O'Frost's products, including its Bistro Favorites 100% Natural line, cater to the growing demand for cleaner-label and natural ingredients. The company operates multiple manufacturing facilities and is known for its family-owned and operated multigenerational business model, focusing on long-term strategy over short-term gains. Land O'Frost's commitment to quality and innovation has solidified its position in the deli meat market. For more details, visit their official website.

Black Forest Ham

Black Forest Ham, a renowned brand in the deli meat sector, has faced challenges in recent years despite its historical popularity. According to a 2019 report, Black Forest Ham saw a dollar share of 2% with a $1 million decline in sales compared to the previous year. Despite this, the brand remains a favorite for its rich, smoky flavor and high-quality production. The global ham market, which includes Black Forest Ham, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2024 to 2032, reaching USD 49.39 billion by 2032. However, health-conscious consumers are increasingly opting for leaner protein sources, affecting traditional ham sales. For more insights into how the deli meat sector is evolving, read the Deli Report: Break from Tradition.