The 8 Best Mail Order Hams of 2021

Best Overall: Fossil Farms Berkshire Pork Bone-In Smoked Ham

Buy on Fossilfarms.com

Fossil Farms describes itself as “a mission-driven company guided by principles.” This means that the brand raises sustainable pasture-grazed meat without antibiotics, steroids, or hormones. The Maple-Cured Bone-In Smoked Ham is a whopping 9 pounds, has a pleasant amount of smokiness, and is made from Berkshire pork raised and processed by family farmers in Iowa and New Jersey. Berkshire pork in general is known for its heavy, flavorful marbling and tender meat. The meat is juicy, the skin is crispy. It’s the holiday dream ham, raised responsibly.

Note: Due to a high volume of orders, shipping may be delayed. Choose "Next Day Air" for delivery 12/23 to 12/26.

Best Smoked: Melissa Cookston's Memphis BBQ Double-Smoked Spiral Cut Ham

Buy on Goldbelly.com

Melissa Cookston of Melissa Cookston’s Memphis BBQ is a living legend—the only woman to be named a world BBQ champion (a title she's earned seven times) and the first female pitmaster in the Barbecue Hall of Fame. Wall Street Journal called her “The Most Decorated Woman in Competitive Barbecue.” If you’re guessing, then, that her ham is worth a try, you would absolutely be correct. It’s double-smoked with a brown sugar glaze and sure to melt in your mouth. Enjoy with a big glass of bourbon!

Best Spiral: D'Artagnan Berkshire Pork Bone-In Spiral Ham

Buy on Dartagnan.com

D’Artagnan was founded in 1985 by Ariane Daguin, the daughter of a French chef who fell in love with foie gras and found an opportunity to produce it domestically. Since then, it’s become known as a leader in natural, sustainable, and humane production and a pioneer in the organic meat world. Thanks to partnerships with chefs and restaurants (first in NYC, then across the country), D’Artagnan has reshaped what we think of as good meat in the United States. As such, it’s not really a surprise that the company's ham is fantastic—it’s made with pasture-raised Berkshire pork that’s been smoked over real applewood. It’s tender, juicy, well-marbled, and deserves a spot on your table.

Best Black Forest: Diestel Farms Whole Black Forest Ham

Buy on Williams-Sonoma

Black Forest Ham originally meant ham from the Black Forest region of Germany (in German: Schwarzwälder Schinken). Today, it generally refers to a type of dry-cured, smoked ham that takes about three months to produce and is flavored with black pepper, coriander, garlic, and juniper berries. This Black Forest ham from Diestel Family Ranch in Sonora, California (a leader in meat production since 1949) by way of Williams-Sonoma makes a mean holiday main course, and also could be wonderful for breakfast, on sandwiches, in pasta, and more. It’s 8 pounds (!) and can last in the fridge for 30 days unopened or five days opened. If that’s not enough time, it can be stored in the freezer for up to a year.

Best Boneless: Omaha Steaks Duroc Boneless Country Ham

Buy on Omahasteaks.com

This whole-muscle, expertly butchered ham is slow-smoked for up to eight hours, resulting in a mellow, extra hammy flavor. Omaha Steaks, which calls itself “America’s Original Butcher” has been famous in the meat industry since the early 1900s. The company is especially known for steak, but this ham gives the brand's beef a run for its money. This ham is boneless and especially juicy and easy to cut. It serves 10, but you're unlikely to have leftovers even if you’re serving fewer than that.

Best Ham and Turkey Combo: Harry & David Sliced Ham and Turkey Sampler

Buy on Harry & David

Maybe half of your family wants turkey and the other half prefers ham. When you just can't decide between the top holiday meats, this sampler saves the day. Harry and David may be best known for its fruit baskets and nut selections, but it's also one of the best places to order meat online, including this pre-sliced ham and turkey combo or a spiral-sliced ham. You can also buy a complete meal, so you won’t even have to worry about side dishes.

Best Honey-Glazed: Nueske’s Spiral Sliced Bone-In Ham with Honey Glaze

Buy on Nueskes.com

If you’re a fan of honey-glazed ham, look no further than the Spiral Sliced Bone-In Ham with Honey Glaze from Nueske’s, the multi-generational Wisconsin-owned premium meat company, which has been producing since 1882. You can trust Nueske’s meat in general, but this ham is something special—it was named one of America’s Best by Ladies Home Journal, it won the Silver Award from the Specialty Food Association, and nabbed the Seal of Excellence at the Wisconsin State Fair. Choosing this for the holidays or your next special occasion is a deliciously safe bet!