Some may say all kinds of canned food are a compromise, but with these best canned ham, you’ll think otherwise.
These canned hams are the perfect choices for busy people. And do you know what is better? Their flavors are as good as all the fresh ham types too. Moreover, if you want to change your routine cooking recipes with leftover ham, why don’t you give these canned ones a shot?
However, if you don’t have any experience buying canned ham, choosing the most suitable one for you can be pretty challenging as there are numerous brands claiming theirs are the best.
Don’t worry! After reading this article, you’ll know everything about the top 10 premium canned ham, including their strengths and weaknesses. With this, you won’t have any problem choosing the best product.
What Is Canned Ham?
Simply put, canned ham is pork that has been cured in salt and water. Then, this meat is pressed or molded into a vacuum-sealed can before getting steamed.
Regularly, canned ham contains meat and other inexpensive ingredients, making it a more affordable product while still maintaining the ham’s flavor. Ham is also an ideal component in many cuisines, particularly mouthwatering Cuban appetizers.
2 Types Of Canned Ham
Going with that explanation above, canned ham seems simple. But it’s more complicated than you thought. So, before you know which best canned ham I’ll introduce, let’s find out how many types there are.
Shelf-Stable Canned Ham
This is the most common canned ham type. For those who still don’t understand what “shelf-stable” means, it refers to the fact that your meat can last perfectly fine at room temperature for two years at most.
This canned ham often appears in two designs: The pear-shaped cans with a flat bottom and a round top and the pullman cans that are slightly larger. One more thing, with this type, the ham will be sterilized in the can during processing.
Refrigerated Canned Ham
Unlike the other type, this canned ham must be stored in the fridge even when unopened. And after use, you should move the leftover ham to another container before refrigerating again to avoid contamination.
Also, this type has a shorter storage life than shelf-stable ones as it only lasts for 6 to 9 months.
In addition, there are also other types of ham with different shelf lives. And if you want to use them longer, you better keep them in the fridge. Do not forget to check how long ham should be stored in the refrigerator.
The Best Canned Ham Brands You Should Opt For
Before getting to the detailed reviews of the most delicious canned ham, let’s get you familiar with some reputable brands on the market. When you see these companies’ names on the package, you know you’re in for some high-quality goods.
Hormel
With more than 130 years of history, Hormel Foods is among the giants in the food manufacturing industry. In the beginning, the company mainly focused on producing packaged ham, sausage, and other meat-based goods. Nowadays, it has expanded its product range and opened several sub-brands like Dinty Moore and Skippy.
Tulip
Tulip Food is a subsidiary of Danish Crown – a renowned food company in Denmark. As this European country has a reputation for excellent food safety control, you can rest assured that any product from Tulip is of the highest quality. If you like the company’s ham, you might want to check out its sausage and salami.
Underwood
Underwood ham has been an American favorite since the mid-19th century. The company product lines consist of spreads made from various ingredients, such as ham, beef, chicken, and more. You might recognize the brand by its iconic “devil” logo.
What Are The Best Canned Ham On The Market?
Among various brands, HORMEL canned ham is the best canned ham for its superior quality and flavor among all the canned ham now. Also, you can go to Tulip canned ham if you want a product at a more affordable price.
Besides these two, here are some highlight brands with their trademark features. You can use them as a suggestion when having a hard time deciding.
- Best Overall: HORMEL 5oz Canned Ham
“Cured ham with salt, containing ground meat, easy-to-carry container, gluten-free, ready to eat, high in protein” - Best Budget: Tulip 12oz Pre-Cooked Canned Ham
“Pre-cooked ham with reasonable price, easy-to-open can, familiar flavor” - Best for Spread and Dips: Underwood 4.25oz Deviled Canned Ham
“Highly seasoned canned ham, portable package, sugar-free, full of nutrients” - Best for Soups: Butterfield Farms 5oz Diced Canned Ham
“Ham diced into pieces, smoky flavor, not containing sugar, minimum carbs content” - Best for Family Meal: Goya 16oz Boneless Skinless Canned Ham
“Big-size package, packed with protein, low in trans fat and sugar, long shelf life” - Best for One-Man Meal: Bristol Cooked Smoked Ham
“Quality proven by USDA, small package, portable container with a soda can opening, can be stored for a long time” - Best Fat-Free Option: Celebrity 12oz Boneless Canned Ham
“Moist meat with low fat content, not containing any sugar, smart design, easy to carry around” - Best for Long-Term Storage: DAK Premium 16oz Canned Ham
“Cured ham, ideal packages for storage, full of protein and nutrients, ready to use, low price” - Best for Breakfast: Dutch Colony 16oz Canned Ham
“Cured ham, smart design for outdoor uses, high in protein, versatile uses”
Best Canned Ham Comparison Chart 2023
If you want a quick comparison among these best canned ham, this table will be your answer. Just one glance at this will make your shopping trip much easier.
Top 10 Best Canned Ham Reviews 2023
It’s time to get to the main subject! Keep your eyes close to this part since you’ll find 10 top-quality canned ham with their advantages and disadvantages all presented.
HORMEL 5oz Canned Ham
(Best Overall)
If you want a simple yet filling family dinner meal, this HORMEL canned ham will satisfy you right away. You can bring this product anywhere, like camping, hiking, or picnics, and use it for your lunch, though you need to prepare some opening tools.
As it’s cured with salt and smoke flavorings, this canned ham is full of flavor without any further cooking. You can even use it in other dishes like salads, soups, etc.
And don’t worry about lacking nutrients when eating it since HORMEL ham contains lots of protein. It is also gluten-free, so even if you can’t handle gluten food, you can enjoy it.
Key Features
- Cured ham with salt
- Ground ham added
- Portable and durable package
- Ready to eat
Pros
- Mouthwatering flavor
- Suitable for outdoor activities
- Ideal for the gluten-free diet
- Versatile use
- Packed with protein
Cons
- It might be a bit too salty
- Need opening tools
Product Specifications
| Brand | HORMEL |
| Weight | 5oz |
| Dimensions | 13.7 x 10.2 x 1.7 inches |
| Flip-Top Opening | No |
| Protein/Serving | 9g |
| Calories/Serving | 90 |
She’ll tell you everything you need to know about HORMEL canned ham. Watch this video:
Tulip 12oz Pre-Cooked Canned Ham
(Best Budget)
If you are looking for canned ham at an affordable price, this Tulip product will satisfy you right away. With a lower cost, it still provides you a decent flavor of ham that you are familiar with.
However, since this is pre-cooked ham, it will taste better if you fry it for a bit than when eating right away. Thanks to its high-calorie content, you can easily have a filling lunch with ham sandwiches or burgers. For the best result, keep your lunch in a leak-proof meal prep bag.
Key Features
- Pre-cooked ham
- Classic flavor
- Suitable for lunch
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Familiar flavor suitable for many people
- Satisfying portion
- Easy-to-open can
Cons
- The texture may remind you of spam
- May require further cooking
Product Specifications
| Brand | Tulip |
| Weight | 12oz |
| Dimensions | 3.7 x 3.4 x 1.9 inches |
| Flip-Top Opening | No |
| Protein/Serving | 7g |
| Calories/Serving | 170 |
Underwood 4.25oz Deviled Canned Ham
(Best for Spread and Dips)
You must see this canned ham once or twice because this brand has been famous since the 19th century with its signature devil logo. However, don’t be afraid of this product since there’s nothing evil in it.
“Deviled” is a term for highly seasoned food, and this canned ham is flavored with mustard, turmeric, and spices. Thus, it is more flavorful than regular products on the market. You can use it to spread on your bread without any other seasonings.
Also, as this canned ham used to be the supplied food for soldiers in World War 2, there’s no doubt that it’s super portable. You can carry it to your family picnic, camping, or lunchbox, etc.
Key Features
- Cured meat with salt
- Already seasoned meat
- Suitable for spreading
- Portable container
Pros
- Flavorful taste with all the seasonings: mustard, turmeric,…
- Easy to carry around
- Not containing sugar
- Packed with nutrients like vitamin A, calcium, and iron
Cons
- It may feel a bit too salty
Product Specifications
| Brand | Underwood |
| Weight | 4.25oz |
| Dimensions | 4.6 x 3.5 x 2.6 inches |
| Flip-Top Opening | Yes |
| Protein/Serving | 8g |
| Calories/Serving | 180 |
Let’s see how Underwood deviled canned ham tastes on bread!
Butterfield Farms 5oz Diced Canned Ham
(Best for Soups)
Compared to other ham, this ham from Butterfield Farms stands out since it comes in diced pieces instead of a whole big block. That way, you can add it to your quick breakfast-for-dinner dishes like casseroles, sandwiches, waffles, etc., without taking too much time to prepare them.
While its appearance is a bit different, this canned ham’s flavor doesn’t get affected at all. It still tastes as fantastic as other premium-quality products, or even more as it doesn’t feel greasy. It even has a hint of smokiness, so you’ll feel like eating fresh ham.
Key Features
- Cured meat with salt
- All diced ham pieces
- Smoky flavor
- Already cooked meat
Pros
- Can be eaten right away
- Ideal ingredients for breakfast
- Low carbs content
- Sugar-free
Cons
- Its size and texture may not be suitable for sandwiches
Product Specifications
| Brand | Butterfield Farms |
| Weight | 5oz |
| Dimensions | 14 x 10.4 x 1.8 inches |
| Flip-Top Opening | No |
| Protein/Serving | 9g |
| Calories/Serving | 90 |
Goya 16oz Boneless Skinless Canned Ham
(Best for Family Meal)
When it comes to quantity, this Goya cooked ham definitely wins the first prize as it comes in a pack of three large cans. You can easily feed your whole family with this product.
And even if you live alone, you can still buy this product as it has a long shelf life. So, you can store it in your house for future use.
Also, don’t think it only has the amount. This ham’s flavor is exquisite as well. It tastes like baked ham, suitable for many people’s palates.
Moreover, while it has high protein content like other canned ham, this one is low in sugar and trans fat, so even people who want to lose weight can enjoy it.
Key Features
- Cured ham with salt
- Large portion
- Long storage life
- Suitable for people on a diet
Pros
- Ideal family meal choice
- Packed with protein
- Low trans fat and sugar content
- Ready to eat
Cons
- The ham can be broken into grounded meat in the can
Product Specifications
| Brand | Goya |
| Weight | 16oz |
| Dimensions | 6.5 x 5.5 x 4.1 inches |
| Flip-Top Opening | Yes |
| Protein/Serving | 9g |
| Calories/Serving | 100 |
Bristol Cooked Smoked Ham
(Best for One-Man Meal)
This Bristol smoked ham is suitable for when you want a simple meal for yourself alone. With its small size, you can bring it everywhere, and it doesn’t require any opening tools to unseal the can.
And this ham’s flavor is suitable for combining into various dishes like sandwiches, pasta, salads, etc. Since it’s easily sliced, you don’t have to fear breaking the meat when cutting it.
You can also save Bristol for future use for its long shelf life. However, some people feel its small size makes it unsuitable for stocking up.
Key Features
- USDA-proven quality
- Cured ham with salt
- Suitable for a one-person meal
- Far expiration date
Pros
- Taking little space
- The package is easy to open and carry
- Can be used in different dishes
- Easy-to-slice texture
Cons
- The portion might be too small for stocking up
- Dented cans may happen
Product Specifications
| Brand | Bristol |
| Weight | 16oz |
| Dimensions | 6.7 x 6.4 x 6.2 inches |
| Flip-Top Opening | Yes |
| Protein/Serving | 9g |
| Calories/Serving | 100 |
Here are some suggestions for you to enjoy your Bristol canned ham. Watch this video:
Celebrity 12oz Boneless Canned Ham
(Best Fat-Free Option)
If you want a healthy option, let’s look for this Celebrity cooked ham! Because this ham is baked instead of cured, it contains less fat. If you worry about its flavor, many people have confirmed it tastes just like smoked ham.
Also, thanks to its portable and easy-to-pull package, you can quickly eat it without any opening tools. Since this ham is soaked in its natural juice, the meat remains moist and sweet without artificial sweeteners like sugar.
Key Features
- Baked ham
- 96% fat-free
- Suitable for outdoor meals
Pros
- Ideal for people on diets
- Smart, portable package
- Moist and delicious meat
Cons
- The flavor may be a bit lacking
Product Specifications
| Brand | Celebrity |
| Weight | 12oz |
| Dimensions | 6.6 x 4.5 x 4 inches |
| Flip-Top Opening | No |
| Protein/Serving | 10g |
| Calories/Serving | 70 |
DAK Premium 16oz Canned Ham
(Best for Long-Term Storage)
Just the word “premium” in its name is enough to prove its quality. DAK premium ham is cured with salt and stored in meat juices, thus retaining all of its natural flavors.
Also, despite its small appearance, this product is packed with protein and calories, making it a filling dish suitable for camping or outdoor activities. And the best thing is you can eat this ham right away, though it tastes better if you give it some glazing and baking.
Key Features
- Cured ham with salt
- Small packages
- Fully cooked ham
- Suitable for outdoor activities
Pros
- Flavorful ham
- Ready to use
- Packed with protein and nutrients
- Affordable cost
- Easy-to-open package
Cons
- The portion may not be satisfying enough for some people
- The ham may taste a bit too salty
Product Specifications
| Brand | DAK |
| Weight | 16oz |
| Dimensions | 6 x 3.9 x 3.6 inches |
| Flip-Top Opening | No |
| Protein/Serving | 9g |
| Calories/Serving | 100 |
If you wonder if DAK Premium canned ham is suitable for storage food, this is your answer. Watch this video:
Dutch Colony 16oz Canned Ham
(Best for Breakfast)
While Dutch Colony ham may not be suitable for eating on its own as some say it’s a little too salty for their likings, it’s a perfect complement for other dishes, especially breakfasts like scrambled eggs, soups, or salads.
Dutch Colony ham is also packed with protein, making it a perfect light meal when you have some outdoor activities like camping or fishing. It also has a soda can opening, so you don’t have to prepare an opening tool for it.
Key Features
- Cured ham with salt
- Suitable as an additional ingredient for your dishes
- Convenient package for outdoor uses
Pros
- Easy to combine with other dishes
- High protein content
- Easy-to-open design
Cons
- The texture may not be satisfying enough
Product Specifications
| Brand | Zwanfood |
| Weight | 16oz |
| Dimensions | 12.3 x 10.3 x 3.1 inches |
| Flip-Top Opening | Yes |
| Protein/Serving | 9g |
| Calories/Serving | 100 |
Royale 16oz Boneless Canned Ham
This Canadian product is another excellent canned ham choice for your meal. With its richness, you can use it for both side dishes or main courses.
Moreover, as it’s already cooked, you can eat it even when cold, though this ham will taste better after some further cooking.
Additionally, though some compare this product with spam, it feels much fresher and more satisfactory. It’s also a great source of nutrients, especially vitamin A.
Key Features
- Cured ham with salt
- Water added
- No carbs, no sugar
- Full of nutrients
Pros
- Suitable for various dishes
- Excellent source of protein, vitamin A, and iron
- Suitable for people on carbs-free, sugar-free diets
Cons
- Water added may affect ham’s texture
- May require further cooking
Product Specifications
| Brand | Royale |
| Weight | 16oz |
| Dimensions | 5.8 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches |
| Flip-Top Opening | No |
| Protein/Serving | 9g |
| Calories/Serving | 80 |
5 Vital Elements For You To Consider When Buying Canned Ham
Even with all these recommendations above, you can still wonder what the best canned ham for you is. At this time, think through the three factors below so that you can find the appropriate product.
Chopped Ham Or Whole Ham?
There’s a significant difference between chopped and whole ham in terms of flavor and texture. The chopped version is still made of ham but mainly contains leftover pieces from other hams. All these meat pieces are pressed together to make it look like other canned hams.
However, its taste and texture can’t compare to the whole ham.
Fresh Ham, Cured Ham, Or Smoked Ham?
Aside from the element above, you should also look at the preparation method of your ham. While fresh ham has the most similar texture to freshly roasted pork, you need to cook it again before eating, thus requiring more time.
So, if you don’t have much time on your hand, the best option for you is either cured or smoked ham. With the former type, you can choose between ham with dry rub and brined ham. Smoked kinds are just the same as cured ham, but with the additional smoking step.
Ingredients
Aside from the ham, all other components in your can are essential too. If your canned ham’s ingredients are high-quality, they can last longer while retaining their flavor. Another important thing is knowing whether your ham goes bad to ensure healthy eating.
Also, make sure you check the percentage of water or juices added to your ham. It often contains a small amount to preserve your ham’s texture. But if it is too high, you should consider other options.
Consider Your Using Purpose
This factor directly relates to your package choice. If you buy canned ham for some outdoor activities, you should opt for those products with a portable package having a flip-top, so you can easily open them.
On the other hand, if you buy them just for storage in case of emergency, your canned ham should have a package of moderate size, so that you can easily store them on your cupboard.
Price
This is one of the crucial factors as canned ham is your everyday grocery. You don’t want to use your whole month’s salary on only a few cans.
But being cheap is not enough because sometimes, quality is worth a few more dollars, especially if your canned ham doesn’t contain any preservatives.
Amazing Recipes For Your Best Canned Ham
It’d be a waste just eating canned ham on its own. With these recipes below, your ham will be elevated to a new height.
Baked Canned Ham
Nothing is easier than making your canned ham into a baked dish, especially when you’re craving something to warm you up. Baking it with pineapple or cherries is also a decent way to cover up the canned ham’s smell.
Canned Ham Casserole
If baked canned ham is a bit too simple for you, how about this canned ham casserole? With all the ham, potatoes, and cheese in this dish, you’ll be so satisfied that you don’t even want to eat other dishes. You can mix other ingredients like pasta or corn for more flavor.
Canned Ham Bites
Your canned ham can become a fantastic snack with this recipe. Combine it with some cheese, then coat the mixture with crackers and potato chips, you’ll have a crunchy and rich dish for your midday snack.
Canned Ham Salad
Canned food can’t make a salad? Then you’re dead wrong! Try this canned ham salad, and you’ll take back your words right away. Also, this salad is perfect for serving with bread, crackers for a hearty breakfast.
FAQs
Don’t stop there! There is still more for you to find out. I’ve included some of the most commonly asked questions and dealt with them all in this part. Keep on reading! Maybe you’ll find your troubles right below.
My Top Pick
With all the information above, I believe now you can pick the most suitable canned ham for you without any hesitation. Anytime you feel bewildered among thousands of canned ham brands, just read this article, and everything will work out for you.
As for me, the one I always go to is HORMEL 5oz Canned Ham as I can eat it right away, and it still tastes beautiful. Not to mention, even when I mix this ham with different recipes, its flavor still shines and harmonizes perfectly with other ingredients.
And if you are looking for a satisfactory ham at a lower price, you can consider Tulip 12oz Pre-Cooked Canned Ham as well.
So, have you tried these canned ham on this list? How do you feel about them? Do you have any other choices? Please write all your thoughts in the comment section below.
