Top-Rated Ham Brands for Savory Delights

Ham enthusiasts know that selecting the best brand can elevate their culinary experience, whether it's for a festive occasion or a simple meal at home. With countless options available in the market, finding the right blend of flavor, texture, and quality becomes a delightful yet daunting task. Renowned producers, both international and domestic, offer a diverse selection of hams ranging from savory prosciutto to mouthwatering honey-glazed varieties. To discover which brands lead the pack for quality and taste, explore our comprehensive guide below.

Illustration of ham

Best brands of ham in 2025

Smithfield

Smithfield Foods is a leading producer of high-quality ham and pork products, renowned for its extensive operations and commitment to quality. Founded in 1936, Smithfield has grown to become the largest pig and pork producer in the world, processing over 27 million pigs annually and producing six billion pounds of pork as of 2006. The company operates over 500 owned farms and contracts with another 2,000 independent farms, ensuring a consistent and high-quality supply chain. Smithfield's products, including its popular ham brands, are distributed across the U.S. and 30 countries abroad, meeting the highest industry standards for quality and safety. With a revenue of over $27 billion in 2021, Smithfield continues to be a dominant force in the global meat industry. For more detailed information, visit the Smithfield website.

Boar's Head

Boar's Head, founded in 1905, is a renowned family business committed to providing the highest quality delicatessen products, particularly ham, using premium whole cuts of meat and globally sourced spices. The company has maintained its high standards for over 115 years, making it a trusted brand in the deli market. Boar's Head is a key player in the deli meat market, which is expected to grow by USD 76.75 billion from 2022 to 2027, with North America contributing 32% of the market share. Despite recent challenges, Boar's Head remains dedicated to quality and consumer trust. The company's products are free from MSG, gluten, artificial colors, and trans fat, ensuring a superior culinary experience. For more details, visit their FAQ page.

Hormel

Hormel Foods is a leading global branded food company, renowned for its high-quality ham products. In 2023, Hormel generated net sales of approximately $12.1 billion, with a significant portion driven by strong demand for premium bacon, pizza toppings, and breakfast sausage, including their notable brands like Jennie-O® and Cure 81®. The company's international segment, although facing challenges, still contributes substantially to its overall revenue, with $721.5 million in net sales outside the United States in 2023. Hormel's commitment to quality is underscored by the presence of USDA personnel throughout their processing plants to ensure proper handling and quality control measures. With over 35 years of supplying pigs to their facilities, Hormel maintains a strong reputation in the meat industry.

Oscar Mayer

Oscar Mayer is a renowned American meat and cold cut producer, particularly celebrated for its high-quality ham products. As a subsidiary of the Kraft Heinz Company, Oscar Mayer has maintained a significant market presence, with a notable 17.5% share of the cold cuts and other processed meats market in 2017. The company's ham offerings, such as the Smoked Uncured Ham, are popular for being 97% fat-free and made without artificial preservatives, added hormones, or nitrates/nitrites. Oscar Mayer's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a trusted brand for consumers seeking premium ham products. The company's history, dating back to its participation in the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, underscores its long-standing reputation in the meat industry.

Black Forest

Black Forest ham, produced in the Black Forest region of Germany, is renowned for its high quality and distinct flavor, earning it a Protected Geographical Indication in the European Union since 1997. This designation ensures that only hams manufactured within this region can be labeled as Black Forest ham. The ham is prepared through a meticulous process involving salting, seasoning with spices like garlic and juniper berries, and cold-smoking, resulting in a product that is about one-fifth fat and rich in flavor. Commercial producers outside the EU, such as Hillshire Farm and Smithfield, also offer Black Forest ham-style products, though these do not carry the same geographical certification. These products are often made with no artificial preservatives and are popular for their nutritional profile, including around 10g of protein per serving. For more detailed information, you can refer to the Wikipedia page on Black Forest ham.

HoneyBaked Ham Company

The Honey Baked Ham Company, founded in 1957 by Harry J. Hoenselaar, is a renowned brand known for its high-quality, uniquely flavored hams and other pre-cooked entrees. The company, headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, operates over 400 company-owned retail stores and 200 franchise locations across 40 states in the U.S., and has a significant online presence. It is celebrated for its signature spiral-sliced hams and glazed turkeys, which are popular especially during holidays. The company has seen substantial growth, with plans to double its revenue by 2029 through new store openings and enhanced customer experiences. As of 2021, the company's revenue was $17.7 million, and it aims to open 60 new units in six years. You can learn more about Honey Baked Ham's strategic growth plans.

D'Artagnan

D'Artagnan is renowned as one of the best producers of high-quality ham, offering a range of artisanal products that adhere to strict quality standards. Founded in 1985 by Ariane Daguin and George Faison, the company has consistently delivered premium meats, including uncured, fully-cooked hams smoked over real applewood without nitrates, nitrites, or artificial fillers. D'Artagnan sources its meats from small farmers and cooperatives, ensuring humane and sustainable practices. Their hams, such as those made from heritage-breed Mangalica pork, are air-cured for 36-42 months, highlighting the company's commitment to traditional and natural methods. With a strong presence in the Mid-Atlantic region and a significant online presence, D'Artagnan continues to grow, reporting $50 million in sales in 2008.

Applegate Farms

Applegate Farms, acquired by Hormel Foods in 2015 for $775 million, is a leading producer of natural and organic meat products, including high-quality hams. Founded in 1987, Applegate is known for its humane raising practices, using no antibiotics, hormones, or growth promotants, and sourcing from farms where animals are fed 100% vegetarian diets. Their products, such as the Slow Cooked Ham and Black Forest Ham, are free from chemical nitrates, nitrites, and artificial ingredients. Applegate's commitment to natural and organic standards has made it the No. 1 natural and organic meat brand, with annual sales of about $340 million at the time of acquisition. The brand's focus on consumer health and sustainability aligns with growing consumer preferences, with 65% of adults aiming to reduce or avoid sugar intake.

Niman Ranch

Niman Ranch is renowned for its high-quality, humanely raised hams, produced with stringent standards that include raising hogs outdoors or in deeply bedded pens, feeding them a 100% vegetarian diet, and never using hormones or antibiotics. In 2019, Niman Ranch's 195 Iowa-based farms generated nearly $50 million in total output and over $20 million in added economic value for the local community, highlighting the significant economic impact of their sustainable farming practices. The company's commitment to animal welfare and sustainable farming has helped bring back marginal breeds like Durocs and Berkshires, known for their finer muscle texture and fuller flavor. Niman Ranch hams are smoked over applewood for up to 12 hours, ensuring a sweet and smoky flavor without the use of preservatives, nitrates, or nitrites. This approach has made Niman Ranch a favorite among consumers seeking gourmet, ethically produced meat products. Discover more about their gourmet holiday ham options.

Prairie Grove Farms

Prairie County in Arkansas, as highlighted in the USDA's 2017 Census of Agriculture, is not specifically associated with a brand named "Prairie Grove Farms" or any notable ham production. However, the county is significant for its agricultural output, particularly in crops like soybeans, rice, and corn, with soybeans covering 108,035 acres in 2017. The county's farms are predominantly family-owned, with 90% of farms classified as such. The market value of agricultural products sold in Prairie County was $127,119,000 in 2017, with crops accounting for 93% of the sales. There is no specific data on ham production or a brand named "Prairie Grove Farms" in the provided sources.