A school lunch staple that has stuck with me for a long time is the ham sandwich. I haven’t had one in a long time. As a child, ham sandwiches were my favorite thing to pack in my lunchbox, and I still really enjoy their salty, porky taste. The options, though, are overwhelming—smoked, uncured, maple, black forest—so many descriptors that say so little. I decided to do a taste test to find out the differences and get a better sense of my choices. I have to say that the differences surprised me.
A sandwich is only as good as its ingredients. And when it comes to subs, hoagies, paninis, and more, the star of the show is often deli ham. Going to the deli counter offers a plethora of options from smoked to honey-baked, making it hard to choose the right ham that will provide the perfect flavor, texture, and versatility for your sandwich needs. This guide breaks down the leading varieties of deli ham to reveal which is truly best for building your ideal sandwich masterpiece.
What Makes a Great Deli Ham for Sandwiches?
Before diving into the options, let’s first define what qualities make for an excellent deli ham that can stand up as the centerpiece ingredient between two slices of bread or a sandwich roll:
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Flavor – The ham should have a noticeable ham flavor, from salty to sweet and everything in between. It must taste like the good stuff.
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Texture – Some hams are smooth and silky while others are firm and dense Texture impacts the overall mouthfeel of each bite.
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Moistness – Nothing ruins a sandwich faster than dry, stringy deli meat. The ham should be moist and juicy.
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Versatility – A top-notch deli ham needs to work in a variety of sandwich styles, holding its own among other ingredients.
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Value – Higher quality comes at a cost but the best bang for your buck wins when selecting a stellar ham.
With these criteria in mind, let’s highlight some of the best options at the deli counter for sandwich making success
Smoked Ham
Smoked ham is the deli staple, bringing classic ham flavor. The smoking process gives the meat a distinctive smoky nuance.
Flavor – Smoked ham has a quintessential salty, smoky pork taste. Black Forest ham is a popular premium variety.
Texture – It has a firm, dense texture that slices smoothly.
Moistness – Smoking locks in moisture, keeping the ham juicy. Just avoid hams that look overly dried out.
Versatility – Smoked ham complements cheese and various condiments while also starring solo.
Value – It’s reasonably priced for the quality.
Smoked ham is an ideal all-purpose choice from subs to paninis and everything between two slices of bread.
Honey Baked Ham
For a sweet touch, honey baked ham brings a lovely glazed exterior amping up the flavor.
Flavor – The honey, brown sugar, or maple glaze provides a subtly sweet contrast to the salty pork.
Texture – The glaze makes it slightly more dense but still able to be sliced thinly.
Moistness – The glazing helps retain moisture for a pleasantly succulent ham.
Versatility – Honey baked ham pairs well with lots of fillings from cheese to veggies.
Value – Considered a premium deli meat, so the price is a bit higher.
When you want a touch of sweet with your savory, honey baked ham satisfies.
Spiral Sliced Ham
Unique for its thin, uniform slices, spiral ham offers visual appeal.
Flavor – On par with smoked ham in terms of salty, porky flavor. The thin slices mean more surface area for seasoning.
Texture – Ultra-thin and delicate in texture, yet the slices hold together.
Moistness – Lends itself to dryness without precise handling, but proper storage preserves moisture.
Versatility – The thin slices stack and fold easily into sandwiches.
Value – Costs more than standard sliced ham but the consistency is worth it.
For dainty sandwiches or rolls, spiral sliced ham gives you picture perfect uniformity.
Black Forest Ham
Black Forest ham refers to a smoked ham made from pork legs in the Black Forest region of Germany.
Flavor – An authentic Black Forest ham delivers bold, rich smoked pork flavor.
Texture – Firm yet supple, this ham slices smoothly.
Moistness – The curing and smoking process ensures it stays moist.
Versatility – With its depth of flavor, it can take on any sandwich ingredients.
Value – As an imported specialty ham, the cost is higher.
For connoisseurs of smoked ham flavor, spring for real Black Forest to enjoy its uniqueness.
Prosciutto
Prosciutto is an imported dry-cured Italian ham that brings concentrated flavor.
Flavor – Intensely salty, porky, and savory with a hint of sweetness.
Texture – Silky and supple yet thinly sliced.
Moistness – The dry curing concentrates moisture for an almost melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Versatility – Pairs sublimely with fresh mozzarella, basil, and balsamic.
Value – As a premium import, it sits at the higher end of the price spectrum.
When you want an upscale Italian deli ham, prosciutto delivers on all fronts.
Tavern Ham
Tavern ham is a pressed and formed ham ideal for hot sandwiches that need to hold their shape.
Flavor – Machinery removes some of the pork flavor, making it milder tasting.
Texture – Very firm and sliceable for sandwiches that will be toasted or grilled.
Moistness – The dense pressed texture retains moisture well.
Versatility – Mainly for hot sandwiches that need meat slices that hold together.
Value – Inexpensive since the processing makes it budget-friendly.
If you’ll be placing the ham under a broiler or into a hot panini press, tavern ham is the practical choice.
The Verdict
When it comes to the holy grail of deli hams to crown the perfect sandwich, look no further than classic Black Forest smoked ham. With its intensely porky, smoky flavor balanced by a supple, moist texture, it checks all the boxes for sandwich greatness. The premium quality translates beautifully on everything from subs to paninis. While the price is higher, for an authentic German deli specialty it’s worth it to upgrade your sandwich game.
Next time you’re at the deli counter, skip the basic sliced ham and ask for Black Forest smoked ham. Your tastebuds will thank you, and your sandwiches will never be the same!
Best Overall: Sprouts Market Ham Off The Bone
Sprouts really came through when it came to both ham and turkey—they won our overall favorite for both. This ham had a nice, meaty texture with a pure-ham flavor that didn’t taste fake or chemical. It’s dry (some of the ham was so wet it was kind of slimy), and it would go well with condiments to make a well-built sandwich. We would serve this to anyone at any age, not just school children.
Best Maple: Applegate Farms Hand Tied Uncured Maple Ham
In addition to black forest, maple is the most common flavor added to ham, it seems. The ham at Whole Foods is the best. Two of our three favorite hams came from their deli counter. It smelled and tasted good, like maple, without being too sweet. You could still taste the meat, which we liked better. The texture was also appealing, with none of the sponginess that some other options had.
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