The best canned ham is rich and flavorful, with the right amount of salt and smoke. It’s also easy to slice, so you can serve it in sandwiches or on toast.
Ham is a staple of American cuisine, but it can be difficult to find a ham that’s both delicious and affordable.
The best-canned hams are often made from free-range pigs that were never given hormones or antibiotics. The best-canned ham will be high-quality, but it should also come with a reasonable price tag.
Here are some of the best-canned hams available on the market today:
List of top Best Canned Ham
#1: Goya Cooked Ham
This is a great value pack of cooked ham that is perfect for the whole family. This ham is fully cooked and comes in a convenient resealable package. It has a long shelf life so you can store it in your pantry for months at a time. It also makes for an easy meal or snack on the go when you’re short on time to prepare something.
The rich flavor of this ham will make your mouth water! It’s perfect for sandwiches, as an appetizer or snack with crackers and cheese, or on top of pasta dishes like spaghetti or macaroni & cheese. You can even use it as a topping on hamburgers! The possibilities are endless when it comes to enjoying this delicious treat.
Highlighted features:
- Made from 100% ham
- High in protein and low in calories
- Unopened package: 16oz (Pack of 3)
- Shelf life: 12 months under normal storage conditions.
#2: Tulip Jamonilla Classic Precooked Ham
Perfect for sandwiches, soups, and more, this is an excellent addition to your kitchen.
It’s pre-cooked and ready to use, so you can make your favorite dishes with minimal prep time. This ham has a classic flavor that’s great for lunches and parties alike.
The 12 oz size makes it perfect for any meal or occasion. You can use it in sandwiches, soups, salads, or even as an appetizer at your next gathering!
Highlighted features:
- 4-5-6 lb. ham
- Precooked; ready to use
- Classic flavor; great for sandwiches and appetizers
#3: Butterfield Farms Diced Ham
This product is just what it says: diced ham pieces! It’s already cooked and ready to eat, so you can just pop open one of the cans and dig in. Each can contains 4 oz of ham. The flavor is smoky and salty, and the texture is tender.
This product comes in a pack of 12 cans .Each can have a shelf life of about 2 years, meaning that you’ll be able to enjoy this delicious food for a long time without having to worry about spoilage or waste.
Highlighted features:
- Already prepared ham.
- Smoky flavor with a salty finish.
- Gluten-free.
- Kosher certified: parve under rabbinical supervision.
#4: Dutch Colony Cooked Ham
This is a great product for those who want to add flavor to their dishes without the hassle of cooking. Conveniently packaged in single-serving cans, this ham has a salty, savory flavor that makes it easy to incorporate into your meal planning. It’s great as an additional ingredient for soups and stews or even as a main dish!
The convenient packaging makes it easy to take with you on the go or use outdoors—no more worrying about refrigeration!
Highlighted features:
- Convenient packaging for single servings of ham.
- Transparent lid for easy identification of contents.
- Flavor enhancer that’s saltier and stronger than ordinary hams.
- It’s packed in a can, so no refrigeration is necessary!
#5: Celebrity, Boneless, Cooked Ham
If you’re looking for a great-tasting ham that’s ideal for outdoor meals, look no further than Celebrity. This baked, boneless ham is 96% fat-free and contains no artificial preservatives or flavors.
Celebrity is cooked in its natural juices, so it’s moist and flavorful. It comes in a pack of three 12 oz. cans, so you’ll have plenty on hand to feed your friends and family at picnics and barbecues!
This canned ham is perfect for cooking outdoors because it doesn’t need refrigeration until after opening. The can will last up to two years when unopened, and up to five days once opened.
Highlighted features:
- Full-flavored ham that’s tender, juicy, and ready to eat
- Convenient 12 oz. cans that are great for outdoor barbecues or picnics
- 96% fat free and contains no artificial preservatives or flavor enhancers
- Can be stored for up to 5 days after opening; unopened can lasts up to 2 years
#6: Bristol Cooked Smoked Ham
This is a delicious and affordable way to add flavor to your breakfast or lunch. This cured ham comes with a far expiration date so that you can enjoy it for as long as possible! It’s also USDA-approved and contains no nitrites or nitrates.
Each pack contains two 16-ounce cans. The cans are sealed with easy-to-open pull tabs so that they’re perfect for camping or on the go.
Highlighted features:
- USDA-proven quality
- Far expiration date
- Suitable for a one-person meal
- Cured ham with salt
- Far expiration date
#7: Royale 2 x 16oz Royale Ham
Royale ham is a boneless cooked ham that is great for sandwiches and parties. It’s already cooked, so you can use it straight from the can. The ham is fully cooked and ready to eat. This product contains no preservatives or nitrates.
The canned ham comes in a 2-pack with each can containing 16 oz of ham. It’s made in Canada and packed by the Louis Rich company. The cans are BPA-free and safe for both hot and cold foods. The cans are also recyclable if you want to reuse them after opening them up!
Highlighted features:
- Made in Canada
- Contains no nitrates or preservatives
- Made from 100% fresh pork meat and smoke flavoring
- No added nitrites, sodium or nitrates
- No MSG or added sugar
- No additives or fillers like gluten and starch
#8: DAK Premium Canned Ham 16oz Fully Cooked
This is a great product. It is perfect for your lunch or dinner. This product is great for a meal in a pinch and can be used in any recipe that calls for chopped ham. The ham is fully cooked and ready to eat so you don’t need to worry about cooking it first. You can use the ham by itself or add it to recipes like soups, casseroles, etc.
This item has been opened but never used. It comes with two cans of fully cooked ham that are ready to eat!
Highlighted features:
- 2 cans of ham 16oz each
- Cooked, ready to eat
- Great idea for meals and recipes
- Excellent as a protein source
#9: Underwood Deviled Ham Spread
This is a convenient way to enjoy the taste and texture of ham in a more spreadable form. It’s already seasoned, so you don’t need to do any extra preparation to enjoy it. The can is also portable, so you can take it with you wherever you go.
The spread is made from a cured ham that has been seasoned with salt and other ingredients, giving it an irresistible flavor that’s sure to please your guests when they come over for dinner or lunch at home.
Highlighted features:
- Made from ham cured with salt, other ingredients and spices.
- Ready to eat straight from the can.
- Flavorful blend of savory and sweet.
Things to consider when purchasing a canned ham

When purchasing a canned ham, there are several factors to take into consideration. The amount of meat in the can is important, as well as the shape and glaze used on the product.
Amount of meat in the can
The amount of meat in a can will vary by the type of ham you buy. For example, a canned spiral-sliced Virginia ham contains approximately 8 ounces of meat per can, while a canned spiral-sliced Smithfield ham contains 10 ounces of meat per can. If you’re looking for a smaller amount of meat, you may want to consider buying sliced deli cuts instead.
Shape of ham
There are two different shapes of canned hams available on the market today: whole hams and slices. Canned whole hams are often used for serving at a holiday meal or as part of an appetizer tray at parties and other special events. Slices are easier to use because they can be added to sandwiches or used as a substitute for luncheon meats like bologna or salami during mealtime.
The type of glaze used on ham
Canned hams are often sold in a glazed or non-glazed version. Glazed hams have a sugar and spice coating, which makes them look more appealing to consumers. However, some people prefer the taste of non-glazed hams, which are often cheaper.
Freshness
The best canned hams will be labeled “fresh” or “best” by the manufacturer. This means that they’re less than 30 days old when they’re canned. Canned hams that are older than 30 days may still be safe to eat but their flavor may not be as good as those that are fresh.
Ingredients
Canned ham is usually made with pork shoulder, but some varieties feature other cuts of meat such as ham steaks or country-style ribs. The most common ingredients added to canned ham include salt, water, sugar and sodium nitrite (a preservative).
FAQs
What is the difference between canned ham and regular ham?
Canned ham and regular ham are both made from the hind leg of a hog.
Canned ham is usually sold in cans, while regular ham is sold fresh or frozen.
Canned ham has a salty flavor that comes from being packed in brine. Regular ham has a milder flavor and is not packed in brine.
Is canned ham processed meat?
Canned ham is not processed meat.
Processed meat, as defined by the WHO, is any meat that has been treated in any way to alter its appearance, smell, taste or texture. This includes smoking and curing, but also chemical additives such as phosphates and nitrates.
Canned ham is not processed meat because it’s simply a piece of pork that has been cooked and canned with a few seasonings added to it.
Is canned ham safe to eat?
Yes, canned ham is safe to eat. Canned ham is made from the meat of a pig that has been preserved in brine, water, and salt. This process preserves the meat for a long period of time and helps prevent bacterial growth.
The brine used in canned ham is typically made with sodium nitrite or potassium nitrite (or both) as a preservative, which also prevents bacterial growth. The amount of sodium nitrite and potassium nitrite used varies by manufacturer.
While it’s true that some people may be sensitive to sodium nitrite or potassium nitrite, there are no reported cases of anyone becoming ill from eating canned ham. However, if you have an allergy or intolerance to either of these chemicals, then you should avoid consuming any foods containing them (including canned ham).
Conclusion
We found that Underwood Deviled Ham is the best canned ham. It has a great taste and comes in many varieties. Their ham is made with quality ingredients, which makes it taste great. It is also affordable. We recommend this brand to anyone looking for canned ham.