Christmas is a time of conviviality, happiness, and lavish feasts, with food sometimes being the highlight of festivities. Though a flawlessly roasted turkey remains a holiday staple, a sumptuously cooked ham provides an unbeatable marriage of flavors, sophistication, and simplicity. It’s not only a beautiful centerpiece but also eliminates hours of preparation for hosts, which means more time with friends and family. If you like a sweet glaze, a hint of smoky flavor, or juicy slices that melt in your mouth, there is a ham available to fit each celebratory occasion.
The rise of web-based meat purveyors has revolutionized completely the way holiday hams are procured. No longer limited to in-town grocery stores, consumers are now able to procure a cross-section of hams from heritage breeds, spiral-cutting types, boneless options, and specialty preparations shipped right to the front door. Most of these hams are pre-cooked, making preparation as simple as a light warm-up and serving process, making holiday meal planning an easy experience.
As part of our efforts to discover the best hams for the holidays, our staff testively researched dozens of candidates. They assessed them for flavor, texture, simplicity of preparation, ease of instructions, and appearance. From a small intimate serving size to a large family-sized serving, this guide celebrates 15 top picks guaranteed to enhance your holiday spread, assuring that taste and convenience never suffer.
1. Wild Fork Berkshire Smoked Ham: Best Overall for Juicy Tenderness
The Wild Fork Berkshire Smoked Ham is well-loved for its expertly balanced smokiness and velvety texture. Rather than drying out during reheating like so many other hams, this ham remains juicy, so it’s perfect for both small dinner parties and big parties. Its light, slightly sweet taste will please a wide group of people, and everyone at the table will be able to enjoy it all the way through.
- Bone-in, approximately 9 pounds
- Rich, balanced smoky flavor
- Exceptionally juicy and tender, avoiding dryness
- Versatile for cold or warm servings
- Eco-friendly, recyclable packaging
Reheating is easy with instructions found online. The ham may be served cold, thinly sliced as a snack, or warmed as a centerpiece dish. Its ease of use makes it a trusted option for hosts who desire convenience combined with flavor, and the recyclable packaging is evidence of careful design.
For best results, bake at a reduced temperature (300–325°F) and tent with foil to preserve moisture. Feeds 16-20 guests, this ham is a great value and presentation leader, perfect for any holiday table.
2. Omaha Steaks Duroc Boneless Country Ham: Moist, Flavorful Boneless Choice
Omaha Steaks’ Duroc Boneless Country Ham redesigns what it means to be boneless. The precise sugar cure guarantees unbelievable moisture retention and rich, meaty flavor. The rich golden-brown color and firm rind add to the appeal of taste and presentation.
- Boneless, 2.5 or 5-pound sizes
- Golden-brown outside with crisp, hickory-smoked rind
- Subtly sweet taste with unbeatable moisture retention
- Tender even served cold
- Clear cooking instructions included
This ham is convenient for small or medium-sized parties, and shipping at times is a bit lacking in insulation, but it always arrives frozen and ready to be cooked. The tender center is always juicy, and it is a treat served hot or cold.
Economically sized and simple to serve, this ham offers great value. Its mellow sweetness and luscious texture make it complement a range of sides nicely, so it’s a reliable option for entertainers who want to wow without much effort.
3. Snake River Farms Kurobuta Bone-In Ham: Heritage Breed Centerpiece
The Snake River Farms Kurobuta Bone-In Ham is a heritage breed ham that is valued for its rich marbling and natural taste. It is a visually appealing centerpiece with a rich, tender interior that just falls off the bone.
Cooking tests verified that this ham cooks to perfection in less than three hours, developing a crackling crust while staying juicy. Its absence of glaze permits the uncompromised, natural flavors to express themselves, pleasing to purists who welcome authenticity.
Though at premium price, this ham better than lives up to expectations in preparation and taste. For big gatherings, it provides both show and outstanding flavor, justifying itself as an investment in a genuinely memorable holiday experience.
4. Harry & David Spiral Sliced Ham: Sweet Glaze with Convenient Serving
Harry & David Spiral Sliced Ham offers ease without loss of flavor. Pre-sliced to make serving a breeze, this ham is a convenient option for hosts hosting the holidays without the hassle.
A glaze adds sweetness and may be applied in layers for improved stickiness. Although the first few slices are a bit dry, later servings are juicy and promise a consistent eating experience across the course of the meal.
Moisture retention is facilitated by careful thawing and cooking at moderate temperatures. This ham’s well-balanced saltiness pairs well with virtually any accompaniment side dish, so it’s a dependable and versatile main attraction.
5. The Honey Baked Ham Co. Honey Baked Boneless Half Ham: Ideal for Intimate Parties
The half ham is ideal for smaller celebrations, with convenience and also lots of flavor. Its pre-sliced feature reduces leftovers and makes serving easier.
- Boneless, around 3 pounds, feeds 4–6 people
- Finely cooked and pre-sliced
- Sweet, fall-apart tender consistency
- Easy to use for small gatherings
- Perfect for plating without reheating inconvenience
The ham’s rich smell and softness make it a go-to option for an intimate affair. Every slice has a sweetness and saltiness balance, delivering a delightful and memorable eating experience.
With convenient handling and flexible delivery, this ham allows hosts to serve up a celebratory meal without the pressure of bulk preparation. It’s ideal for setting up a stunning table without over-investing effort or real estate.
6. Snake River Farms Bone-In Half Ham: Moist and Delicious
Snake River Farms Bone-In Half Ham has old-fashioned preparation with great flavor. Its fat cap helps keep it moist while roasting, yielding tender, juicy slices.
Easily followed instructions lead hosts through reheating, reaching optimal temperature without overcooking. The natural salt flavor of the ham, a background smoke, and a hint of sweetness make it ideal both as a main course and in sandwiches.
Versatility of this ham does not stop at the dinner table, since bones and pan juices produce rich stock. After chilling, it can be sliced thinly for many uses in the kitchen, providing enduring usefulness beyond the first meal.
7. Harry & David Sliced Ham and Turkey Sampler: Easy Entertaining Combo
The Sliced Ham and Turkey Sampler makes holiday entertaining easier by doing away with whole roasts. The meats are tasty, with the ham a bit saltier and the turkey smoky for added delicacy. Delicately cut slices allow serving as-is, layering in sandwiches, or adding to other recipes.
This sampler is large enough to serve several guests yet provides variety and ease. Its presentation and versatility make it an easy gift or holiday meal centerpiece, enabling hosts to impress without hassle.
- Boneless, pre-sliced ham and turkey
- Fully cooked for heating and serving
- Beautiful presentation for buffets
- Ideal for parties
- Freeze in portions for future meals
8. Snake River Farms Kurobuta Half Boneless Ham: Rich, Flavorful Boneless Option
Whether one enjoys Kurobuta heritage pork but prefers boneless ease, this ham provides full flavor in an easy-to-handle portion. Its extensive marbling guarantees tenderness even after prolonged reheating.
- Boneless, smaller size for medium gatherings
- Preserves Kurobuta’s intense flavor and juiciness
- Crisp outside and succulent inside
- Lightly smoky, naturally rich
- Consistent frozen shipping
Cooking yields a crispy outside in contrast to a juicy inside, demonstrating premium quality. The light smokiness provides depth without dominating the natural pork flavor.
Perfect for mid-size parties, it serves about six. Thorough online instructions maximize reheating and serving, making it a high-end but easy option.
9. D’Artagnan Berkshire Pork Bone-In Smoked Ham, Half: Spectacular for Big Parties
This Berkshire ham is perfect for big celebrations, providing a magnificent and savory centerpiece. Its delicate smoke and sweet undertones develop a perfectly balanced flavor, while bone-in traditional preparation guarantees consistent juiciness.
- Bone-in, solid weight for big groups
- Smoky, honey-like sweetness balanced
- Maintains moisture even with non-spiral cut
- Well-insulated shipping guarantees freshness
- Outstanding flavor for celebratory meals
The ham comes well-packaged, holding quality even with extended shipping times. It is engineered for serious ham lovers who want both presentation and great taste.
This upscale ham is sure to leave a lasting impression, delighting company with rich flavor and texture that shine on any festive table.
10. North Country Smokehouse Organic Uncured Maple Bone-In Whole Ham: Sweetest Spiral-Cut
This natural uncured ham provides convenience and a subtle combination of sweet and savory tastes. Its spiral cut makes serving easy while maintaining moisture with gentle cooking methods.
Low-temperature baking with foil tenting and proper thawing maintain tenderness. The hint of maple adds richness without overpowering the palate.
- Spiral-sliced for convenient carving
- Delicate maple sweetness
- Fully cooked, stays moist when cooked low and slow
- Perfect for large family gatherings
- 18-pound generous serving
A large portion size makes it suitable for big families, providing leftovers for future meals while impressing company with its balanced flavor and presentation.
11. Pederson’s Farms Uncured Bone-In Spiral Sliced Half Ham: Moist & Rich Spiral Option
The Pederson’s Farms ham stands out in taste, moisture, and ease of serving. Its marbling guarantees richness, and spiral slicing is easy to serve and retain tenderness.
The slightly smoky taste complements glazes well, and the fat content adds juiciness without greasiness. This ham achieves a good balance between convenience and gourmet quality.
With insulated shipping, it arrives ready to cook, making it a dependable option for medium-sized parties where both taste and practicality are important.
12. Olympia Provisions Sweetheart Ham: Ideal Petite Ham for Two
- About 2 pounds, best for 2 individuals
- Juicy, tender, slightly smoky
- Versatile for slicing or gentle reheating
- Suitable for small households or romantic meals
- Premium slow-cured and smoked
This petite ham is perfect for intimate occasions or small households. Its size allows for flexible serving options, from sandwiches to whole plates.
Despite its smaller size, it delivers impressive flavor, tenderness, and balance of sweetness and smoke. Thin slicing enhances presentation and usability in a variety of dishes.
While higher-priced, its quality and convenience make it a great option for those wanting a gourmet experience without the investment of a whole roast.
13. Benton’s Country Ham Whole Hickory Smoked Country Ham: Artisanal Dry-Cured Delight
This handcrafted ham provides sophisticated flavors for discriminating tastes. Smoky, salty in nature, it complements fresh fruits or straightforward skillet cooking.
Large in size and having a leathery outside, it demands a sharp knife but exposes a tender, melt-in-your-mouth interior. The intensity, however, makes it most suitable for thin servings or small portions.
This ham shines as a specialty product for hosts who want a traditional, high-flavor experience perfect for sophisticated presentations or Southern-style dishes.
14. Edwards Virginia Smokehouse Petite Virginia Ham: Ideal for Dressed-up Sandwiches
This small ham excels in sandwiches and finer culinary use. Its nutty, dry-cured taste is balanced by subtle smoking, adding depth to the pork without dominating it.
Thin cutting ensures the most delicate flavor is achieved, and tender heating releases hidden sweetness. It’s ideal for small gatherings, brunches, or innovative dishes that need high-quality ham.
- Dry-cured, aged petite ham
- Tender with hint of hickory smoke
- Perfect for sandwiches or breakfast uses
- About 2 pounds, ideal for small servings
- Shipped insulated for freshness
The small size maintains freshness, usability, and simplicity of storage, providing gourmet taste without bulk preparation.
15. Niman Ranch Spiral Sliced Half Ham: Classic Sweet & Savory
This traditional ham offers dependable quality and taste. Its spiral cut makes it easy to serve without losing tenderness and moisture. Mild sweetness and gentle smoke enable pairing with almost any side dish and glaze. Foil tenting during reheating keeps the ham moist all through dinner.
Suitable for medium-sized gatherings, this ham is a trusted friend, easy, and provides classic holiday flavor that impresses without fuss.
Choosing the ideal ham is both art and science, balancing taste, texture, convenience, and looks. From intimate small gatherings to large holiday meals, these 15 hams offer choices that suit every requirement. Every option prioritizes quality, flavor, and simplicity in preparation so that hosts can enjoy the celebration without worrying about stress. Whether you like sweet glazes, smoky flavors, or high-end artisanal dry-cured works of art, there is a ham on this list that promises a wonderful and tasty holiday experience.
