When it comes to picking the best ham to buy for your next gathering, the choice is bone-deep.
How to Choose the Best Ham to Buy
Updated on Oct. 03, 2024
Whether you’re planning a big Sunday dinner, an Easter feast or Christmas dinner, few main courses make an occasion feel as special as ham does. But preparing the best ham isn’t always so simple. Before you head to the store, there are many options to consider. City or country? Bone-in or boneless? And what about spiral cut? It’s enough to make your head spin.
Well, worry not! We’re here to give you the scoop on the best holiday ham to buy for your special dinner.
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The Most Popular Types of Ham
A whole ham can weigh 15 to 20 pounds and can serve up to 30 people. Unless you’re feeding a large crowd (or love leftover ham recipes), chances are you don’t need to purchase an entire ham. Instead, read on to find out what type of ham will work best for you.
City Ham
The type of ham is readily available at any grocery store and the prep is easy, too. These are usually cured by brining and are sold fully cooked.
Country Ham
Country hams (dry-cured and uncooked) are harder to find. They’re cured with a dry rub, hung to dry and sold uncooked. They may or may not be smoked and can be very salty. Understandably, they can also be rather dry. They are either served in very thin slices or soaked for 24 hours before cooking. The chewy, intensely flavored meat is an acquired taste, but country hams—including Virginia ham—have a passionate following.
Fresh Ham
It’s even more difficult to find fresh hams (uncured, uncooked). Ask for them at your local butcher.
Bone-In Ham vs. Boneless Ham
Whether you go bone-in or boneless, watch the label for “Ham,” “Ham with natural juices,” “Ham, water added” or “Ham and water product.” Hams with less water have a stronger flavor and more natural texture.
Bone-in Ham
If you’re comfortable with carving, choosing bone-in ham is worth the effort. (This baked ham recipe wows every time.) The bone provides the meat with better flavor and texture. As a bonus, the leftover bone is great for making soups and stews, like this split pea soup.
Bone-in hams are sold as half hams. When you opt for bone-in ham, you’ll also need to consider the part of the ham you buy.
- The shank end (or leg portion) sports that classic ham profile, so it’s a good choice for a picture-perfect table. The meat tends to be leaner and it has one long bone, which makes carving easier.
- The butt end (the top half of the ham) has more tender, fattier meat, lending a richer flavor. However, it does have a T-shaped bone inside that can be tricky to carve around. Don’t worry about that, though, because we have tips on how to carve ham the right way.
How much to buy: Plan for 3/4 to 1 pound per person.
Editor’s Tip: A semi-boneless ham—where the shank bone is removed, but the leg bone is left in—offers a win-win combination of easier carving without the loss of flavor contributed by the bone.
Boneless Ham
If convenience is more important to you than presentation and bone-in flavor, boneless ham is always an option. With this type, the bone is removed and the ham is pressed into that familiar oval shape. Boneless ham looks like a solid piece of meat because the added salt breaks down its proteins, causing it to re-form, in a sense. This makes for the easiest carving.
How much to buy: Plan for 1/2 pound of boneless ham per person.
Spiral-Cut Ham
Generations of meat carvers have struggled to carve ham around the bone. But in the 1940s, all that changed when Harry Hoenselaar invented the spiral-slicing machine. It holds ham while an oscillating blade makes thin cuts into the meat around the bone. Now, spiral ham—precooked, precut city ham—is a heat-and-serve holiday classic.
It’s worth noting that many spiral-sliced hams come glazed, so they’re not a good choice if you’re following a specific recipe (like this gorgeous spiral-sliced ham). Be sure to read the label to make sure you’re getting an unglazed ham.
Other Common Types of Ham
The style, bone and cut of ham aren’t the only things to consider. Here are some of the other ham terms you might see in the supermarket or while browsing recipes:
- Heritage ham is a collection of pig breeds that were common before large-scale commercial pig farming became the norm. These breeds are typically raised on small farms and sold on-site, at farmers markets or online.
- Smoked ham is a fairly common way to add lots of rich flavor to a cured ham. You can make smoked ham at home or buy one that’s been smoked by the manufacturer (just check the package).
- Glazed ham is a cooking technique where ham is covered in seasoned sugar, maple syrup or another sweet concoction while baking to form a caramelized exterior. Try our maple-peach glazed ham for a delicious example.
- Canned ham is a boneless ham that has been fully cooked and sealed in a can. It’s often used in sandwiches but can be a standalone dish, too.
- Spiced ham is a blend of finely minced cooked ham and spices that are then canned or shaped into a loaf for lunch meat. Spam is the most well-known brand of spiced ham and can be eaten hot or cold, for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
If you’ve found your perfect ham and need to know what to do next, our experts explain how to cook a ham step by step.
Our Best Recipes for a Holiday Ham
Baked Ham with PineappleI first learned the technique for baked ham with pineapple for a themed dinner my husband and I hosted. Since it is widely known as the symbol of hospitality, pineapple was the star ingredient on our menu and on this lovely baked ham. —JoAnn Fox, Johnson City, Tennessee
Talk about a showstopper! Of all our recipes for Easter ham, this one may be the most impressive. A scored surface, cloves, pineapple rings and maraschino cherries help this ham make a tropical statement.
Easter HamWe won’t blame you if you want to make this Easter ham recipe all year long. A simple brown sugar-marmalade glaze takes an ordinary ham and makes it extraordinary.
Brushed in a three-ingredient, sweet-spicy glaze, this ham is a mouthwatering addition to your Easter table. Serve it with mashed potatoes and asparagus for a traditional dinner, or enjoy the ham on warm rolls for brunch.
Hosting a smaller celebration this year? Try this ham steak that serves just 6.
Maple-Peach Glazed HamThis is one of my husband's favorite recipes. He makes it regularly for his group of friends on the weekends because it's so good and easy. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Skip spending Easter Sunday in the kitchen. With a mere five minute prep period, this ham recipe gives you plenty of time to relax with holiday guests. Keep it nice and sweet with a marmalade, maple syrup and orange juice glaze, or enjoy some extra spice by adding in ground ancho chile pepper.
Learn how to cook a frozen ham to make it tender, juicy and flavorful.
Country Ham and PotatoesBrowned potatoes are a simple but perfect side for country ham. Not only do the potatoes pick up the flavor of the ham, but they look beautiful! Just add veggies or a salad and dinner’s done. —Helen Bridges, Washington, Virginia
This rustic dish couldn't be any simpler. Butter and parsley are all you need to create this country classic. Plus, since the potatoes and ham cook in one skillet, cleanup is easy, too! Use any leftovers in these leftover ham recipes.
Root Beer Glazed HamFor a unique spin on the traditional glazed ham recipe, try this southern specialty where the secret ingredient is root beer! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
For a unique spin on the traditional glazed ham recipe, try this recipe where the secret ingredient is root beer. Brown sugar gives the glaze extra sweetness, while Dijon mustard and crushed red pepper flakes provide a little kick.
This spiral ham recipe will look gorgeous on your Easter dinner table!
Baked Ham with Cherry SauceThere's nothing I'd rather serve for Easter dinner or another springtime occasion than succulent baked ham. My recipe features a rub that adds flavor to the meat plus a delicious cherry sauce with a hint of almond. —
Lavonn Bormuth, Westerville, Ohio
Recipes for Easter ham should scream spring, and this baked version with a succulent cherry sauce does just that. A hint of almond flavor really takes this dish over the top.
Five Spice Plum-Glazed HamBaked ham is one of my favorite dishes, and this plum-baked ham recipe adds something a little bit different to the classic. The plum goes really well with the ham and the Asian spices! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
For a new twist on classic recipes for Easter ham, give this Asian-inspired version a try. Chinese five-spice powder adds a licorice-like flavor while ginger and garlic provide some kick.
Sliced Ham with Roasted VegetablesTo prepare this colorful, zesty oven meal, I "shop" in my backyard for the fresh garden vegetables and oranges (we have our own tree!) that spark the ham's hearty flavor. It's my family's favorite main dish. —Margaret Pache, Mesa, Arizona
Serving six people, this is one of the best small-batch recipes for Easter ham. We love how the ham slices—coated in a zesty orange and horseradish glaze—help to flavor the veggies as they cook. Discover more ham dinner recipes, too.
Bourbon Baked HamBecause of its simple ingredient list, easy preparation and unbeatable flavor, this baked ham recipe is one you’ll come to rely on often. The honey-bourbon glaze looks lovely and helps seal in the meat’s juices. —Jean Adams, Waycross, Georgia
Honey, bourbon and molasses come together to form a perfectly sweet glaze that looks lovely and seals in the meat's juices. Utilize any leftovers of this Southern-inspired ham in black-eyed peas, hoppin’ john or with some barbecue sauce over grits.
Orange-Glazed HamThis delicious ham looked like a sparkling jewel on the table when my mom served it for Easter dinner. The flavor of the spice rub penetrates through every tender slice. Even its enticing aroma while baking can't match the wonderful taste. —Ruth Seitz, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Few things are more enticing than the aroma of this glazed ham as it bakes. Three simple ingredients—ground mustard, allspice and orange marmalade—create a rub that smells (and tastes!) amazing.
Apricot Ham SteakHam is a versatile main menu item that's a standby with all country cooks. One of the best and easiest ways to serve ham slices is topped with a slightly sweet glaze, like this apricot version. —Scott Woodward Shullsburg, Wisconsin
Ham steaks are a great alternative to an entire ham, especially if you're cooking for a small group. This skillet recipe relies on apricot preserves for a sticky-sweet glaze that's hard to beat.
Sugar-Glazed HamWhip up a gorgeous holiday centerpiece with this easy glazed ham recipe. Our Test Kitchen experts share their best tips and tricks for how to cook a ham for special occasions.
This old-fashioned ham glaze gives a pretty, golden brown coating—just like grandma used to make. The mustard and vinegar complement the brown sugar which adds a tangy flavor. If it's your first time hosting Easter, make sure you read up on how to cook a ham.
Bourbon-Spiced Glazed HamThis amazing bourbon-spiked ham makes a wonderful main course for a holiday feast. And leftovers (if there are any) make delicious sandwiches. —Karen Sublett-Young, Princeton, Indiana
Craving spirited recipes for Easter ham? Look to your bar cart! This bourbon-spiced beauty benefits from an overnight marinade that really infuses the flavor.
