Top Ham Brands for a Delectable Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving is a time for celebrating togetherness and enjoying a bountiful feast with loved ones, and one central element to this celebration is undoubtedly the meal itself. For many families, ham complements the traditional turkey, lending its savory flavor to festive tables across the country. Choosing the right brand of ham can elevate your holiday dining experience, providing optimal flavor, texture, and quality. Below, discover some of the best ham brands that are sure to impress your guests this Thanksgiving.

Illustration of ham for thanksgiving

Best brands of ham for thanksgiving in 2025

HoneyBaked Ham

HoneyBaked Ham is a leading producer of premium hams, particularly renowned for its honey-glazed, spiral-cut hams that are a centerpiece for Thanksgiving and other holiday meals. During peak holiday seasons, HoneyBaked Ham drives significant sales, with over 50% of its revenue generated during Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. In 2017, the company executed a successful paid search campaign that resulted in 15,317 transactions and 447% return on investment for its franchise locations through local paid search initiatives. Their comprehensive menu, including ham, turkey, and tri-tip sandwiches, salads, and sides, helps maintain customer traffic even beyond major holidays, with an average of 55,000 visitors per week across all chains during non-holiday periods. The company's strategic marketing and menu innovations have been key factors in its success.

Boar's Head

Boar's Head is renowned as one of the best producers of ham, particularly for Thanksgiving, with a commitment to quality that has remained unwavering for over 110 years. Their Branded Deluxe Ham, the first product introduced by the company, is slow-cooked for tenderness and balances sweet and savory notes, making it a traditional favorite. Boar's Head controls about 25% to 30% of the premium deli meat market, reflecting its strong market presence and loyal customer base. The brand's products are hand-trimmed and extra lean, ensuring a high standard of quality. Despite recent recalls, Boar's Head remains a trusted name in the deli meat industry.

Smithfield

Smithfield Foods, the world's largest producer and processor of pork, is a paramount choice for Thanksgiving hams, boasting a dominant 26% market share in the U.S. pork industry. Founded in 1936, the company processes over 30 million hogs annually and generated $12.5 billion in sales in fiscal 2009. Smithfield's hams, particularly the "Genuine Smithfield" hams, are renowned for being cut from peanut-fed hogs and cured in Smithfield, Virginia, adhering to a law passed by Virginia's General Assembly in 1926. The company's extensive product line includes various brands such as Armour, Farmland, and Gwaltney. In 2013, Smithfield was acquired by Shuanghui International, a Chinese-based company, for $4.7 billion. For more information, visit the Smithfield Foods website.

Nueske's

Nueske's is renowned as one of the best producers of ham for Thanksgiving, offering premium, artisanal products that have been perfected since 1933. Their hams, such as the Spiral Sliced Boneless Ham and the Spiral Sliced Bone-In Ham with Honey Glaze, are meticulously hand-selected and smoked to perfection using traditional Old World European techniques. Nueske's has received accolades, including three-time winner of the gold Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation (sofi) award, and their products are favored by high-end restaurants across the United States. The company's commitment to quality is evident in their 24-hour smoking process over applewood embers, resulting in a rich, smoky flavor. With nearly 5,000 5-star reviews, Nueske's hams are a staple for many Thanksgiving celebrations. You can find more information about their products on their website.

D'Artagnan

D'Artagnan is a premier specialty food distributor and a leading producer of high-quality ham and other gourmet products, making it an ideal choice for Thanksgiving. Founded in 1985 by Ariane Daguin, D'Artagnan is committed to free-range, natural production and sustainable, humane farming practices, ensuring that their products are free from antibiotics and hormones. With an estimated annual revenue of $75 million and a strong reputation among four-star restaurants, D'Artagnan's products are highly regarded for their taste and quality. Their French Cured Ham, naturally cured for a minimum of 12 months, is a popular choice for special occasions. D'Artagnan's dedication to quality and sustainable practices has made it a trusted name in the culinary world.

Applegate

Applegate, recognized as one of Fast Company's 2023 Brands That Matter, stands out as a top producer of high-quality, natural, and organic ham products, ideal for Thanksgiving. Founded in 1987, Applegate is known for its humane raising practices, absence of antibiotics, and commitment to regenerative agriculture, which has contributed to the regeneration of over 260,000 acres of U.S. grasslands. Their Black Forest Ham, available in both natural and organic versions, is free from chemical nitrates, nitrites, and artificial ingredients, making it a preferred choice for health-conscious consumers. Despite the general decline in ham sales during Thanksgiving, with bone-in and smoked hams decreasing by 3.9% and 3.5% respectively, Applegate's commitment to quality and sustainability sets it apart. The brand's products are sourced from farms that prioritize animal welfare and environmental enrichments.

Black Forest

Black Forest brand is renowned for its high-quality, minimally processed hams, making it an excellent choice for Thanksgiving. Their All Natural Black Forest Brand Ham is fully cooked, sweetened with honey and maple syrup, and smoked over hardwood slabs, ensuring a rich, woodsy flavor. This ham is free from nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, and growth hormones, appealing to health-conscious consumers. With its convenient pre-sliced packaging, it is ready to serve, offering 11 grams of protein and 70 calories per 2-ounce serving. Given its all-natural ingredients and delicious flavor, it is a popular option for those seeking a healthier ham alternative.

Oscar Mayer

Oscar Mayer is a leading brand for ham and other deli meats, making it a popular choice for Thanksgiving. In 2024, Oscar Mayer was the second-ranked refrigerated bacon brand in the U.S., with sales of about $204 million over a 12-week period ending July 14. For sliced lunchmeat, Oscar Mayer sold approximately 98.03 million units in the same period, solidifying its position as a top brand. Their products, such as the Applewood Smoked Uncured Ham and Carving Board Cooked Ham, are favorites for holiday meals due to their quality and flavor. Oscar Mayer's commitment to using no antibiotics, artificial ingredients, or added nitrates or nitrites in some of their products further enhances their appeal.

Farmer John

Farmer John is a renowned brand for high-quality hams, particularly ideal for Thanksgiving celebrations. Founded in 1931 by Barney and Francis Clougherty, the company has a rich history of curing pork bellies and smoking hams, even supplying meat rations to U.S. troops during World War II. With over 20% market share in the sausage and bacon market in the L.A. area, Farmer John is a trusted name, especially after its acquisition by Hormel Foods Corp. in 2004 for $186 million. Their Premium Bone-In Ham and Spiral Sliced Smoked Ham are popular choices, known for their tender and juicy texture. These products are conveniently available and can be heated according to simple oven instructions.

Kirkland Signature

The Kirkland Signature brand is renowned for producing high-quality hams, particularly the Spiral Sliced Ham, which is a favorite for Thanksgiving and other holidays. Weighing around 9 pounds, these hams are pre-cooked, pre-sliced, and come with a packet of glaze mix, making them extremely convenient and flavorful. With a cost of approximately $20.56, they offer great value, feeding 14 to 16 people. The brand's penetration rate has been growing, now in the high 20s percent, indicating strong customer loyalty and satisfaction. The ham's lean and subtly smoked hickory flavor, along with its sweet glaze, makes it a standout choice. For a detailed review, check out this Costco Kirkland Spiral Ham review.