Top Picks for Premium Lunch Meat Brands

Lunch meat has long been a staple in many households, providing a convenient and versatile option for sandwiches, salads, and more. As consumers become increasingly conscious of quality and flavor, the demand for top-notch brands has grown significantly. Choosing the right brand can make a world of difference in your meal, ensuring not only great taste but also better nutritional value. Below, we explore some of the best lunch meat brands that have consistently stood out in the market.

Illustration of lunch meat

Best brands of lunch meat in 2025

Boar's Head

Boar's Head is a renowned brand in the deli meat market, controlling approximately 25% to 30% of the premium deli meat segment. Founded in 1905, the company has maintained high standards for quality, using only the finest ingredients such as premium whole cuts of beef, pork, and poultry. Boar's Head products are free from MSG, gluten, artificial colors, and trans fat, making them a trusted choice for consumers. The brand's strong marketing and exclusivity agreements have contributed to its dominance, with its products being prominently displayed in many retailers. Despite recent recalls, Boar's Head remains a significant player in the deli meat market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2024 to 2030. For more insights, you can visit their FAQ page.

Oscar Mayer

Oscar Mayer is a leading brand in the U.S. market for refrigerated sliced lunchmeat, with sales of approximately 98.03 million units for the 12 weeks ended July 14, 2024, making it the top brand in this category. It also generated about $414.74 million in sales during the same period, positioning it as the second leading brand in terms of dollar sales. Founded in 1883, Oscar Mayer is one of the biggest meat companies in the nation, offering a broad selection of products including salami, bacon, turkey, and ham. The brand is part of the Kraft Heinz company and contributes significantly to its meats and seafood category, which accounted for 9% of Kraft Heinz's total net sales in 2023. Oscar Mayer's products are widely available across various retail channels, including supermarkets, drugstores, and convenience stores.

Hillshire Farm

Hillshire Farm is a leading brand in the lunch meat market, known for its diverse and high-quality offerings. As of 2012, Hillshire Farm held a significant market share of 12.7% in the lunch meat segment, competing closely with other major brands like Kraft Foods and Hormel Foods. The brand is praised for its affordability, accessibility, and variety of products, including ham, turkey, and chicken options. Hillshire Farm's products, such as the Ultra Thin Sliced Black Forest Ham and the Ultra Thin Rotisserie Seasoned Chicken Breast, are highly regarded for their flavor and convenience. The brand's market valuation has historically hinged on its ability to gain market share in the retail packaged meat products sector. For more insights, check out the ranking of Hillshire Farm deli meats.

Applegate

Applegate is a leading brand in the lunch meat industry, renowned for its commitment to quality and sustainability. Founded in 1987, Applegate produces high-quality natural and organic products, including hot dogs, bacon, sausages, deli meats, and cheese, all made without antibiotics, added hormones, or GMO ingredients. The company is a pioneer in regenerative agriculture, with its DO GOOD DOG(tm) hot dog contributing to the regeneration of over 260,000 acres of U.S. grasslands. Applegate's products are sourced from farms where animals are humanely raised and fed a vegetarian or pasture-centered diet, such as their 100% grass-fed beef. Recognized as one of Fast Company's 2023 Brands That Matter, Applegate continues to drive innovation in sustainable agriculture. Discover their Applegate Organics Roast Beef for more on their commitment to quality meats.

Hormel

Hormel Foods is a leading producer of lunch meat, renowned for its high-quality products and extensive market presence. In 2021, the company's Grocery Products segment, which includes lunch meats, generated approximately $2.8 billion in net sales. Hormel's products are available in all 50 states of the US and several international markets, including Canada, Australia, and China. The company competes with major players like Tyson Foods and Smithfield Foods but maintains a significant market share, with a net margin of 6.28% in Q3 2024. Hormel's commitment to natural ingredients, exemplified by its Natural Choice line, appeals to consumers seeking minimally processed foods.

Land O'Frost

Land O'Frost, Inc., founded in 1958, is a leading manufacturer of pre-sliced deli meats, breakfast meats, and specialty hot dogs and sausages, and is the largest family-owned brand of packaged deli meat in the U.S. The company's flagship product, Land O'Frost Premium Meat, is the top-selling deli pouch in the U.S. and boasts 83% household penetration. Known for its high-quality products, Land O'Frost Premium Meat contains no added hormones, by-products, or artificial flavors and is gluten-free, packaged in a double-zip pouch to lock in freshness. The brand has recently revamped its packaging to include full-color, mouthwatering sandwich photography, enhancing its appeal to consumers. With annual revenue exceeding $500 million and over 1,000 employees, Land O'Frost continues to innovate and meet consumer demands.

Deli Fresh

Deli Fresh, though not specifically mentioned in the sources, can be contextualized within the broader deli market trends. The deli food market, which includes lunch meat, was valued at USD 315 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% until 2030. Lunch meat sales, a key segment, saw deli service sales near $4.8 billion in both 2022 and the 52 weeks ending June 18, 2023, with turkey and ham being leading subcategories at $1.7 billion and $1.54 billion, respectively. Grab-and-go options, such as those from deli brands, have seen a 4.9% increase in dollar sales, highlighting consumer preference for convenience. Plant-based and health-conscious options are also gaining traction, aligning with consumer trends. For a comprehensive analysis, explore the deli market report.

Columbus Craft Meats

Columbus Craft Meats, founded in 1917 by Italian immigrants in San Francisco, is a leading producer of premium salami and deli meats, known for its high-quality products made from the finest cuts of meat. The company has recently expanded its Hayward-based plant by 10,000 square feet, increasing its salami production capacity by 30%, following a previous expansion in 2015 that boosted capacity by 50%. This expansion has solidified Columbus Craft Meats as the most widely distributed deli meat brand in the United States. The company uses traditional recipes and Italian-made equipment to ensure consistent quality and has introduced new products, including antibiotic-free uncured salami varieties. Columbus Craft Meats is a subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corporation.

Dietz & Watson

Dietz & Watson is a renowned producer of premium lunch meats, committed to quality and safety since 1939. The company generates an estimated annual revenue of $286.1 million and employs 757 people, with a 7% employee growth rate. Known for their handcrafted meats and artisan cheeses, Dietz & Watson adheres to stringent food safety standards, exceeding USDA requirements through advanced cleaning measures and rigorous inspections. Their products have seen significant market traction, particularly in the packaged lunchmeat category, which has enjoyed strong sales growth, especially since the pandemic. Dietz & Watson's commitment to transparency and quality has made it a trusted brand in the deli meat industry. For more information on their dedication to excellence, visit their page on The Right Way.

Black Bear

Black Bear Deli is renowned as one of the top producers of lunch meat, offering high-quality products like their Deli Classic Turkey Breast, which is 99% fat-free and gluten-free. This fully cooked turkey breast, coated with seasonings and free from added MSG, caters to the growing demand for healthier deli meat options. The global deli meat market, in which Black Bear Deli is a key player, is projected to reach $27,405.4 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2030. The uncured segment, which includes products like Black Bear's turkey breast, is expected to exhibit a high CAGR of 5.8% during this period due to its health benefits. Black Bear Deli's products are widely available in hypermarkets and supermarkets, which accounted for around 39% of the global deli meat market share in 2020.