6 Best Mail-Order Spiral Hams of 2026, Tested and Reviewed

Tested by Taylor Murray

Few dishes bring the party quite like a spiral-cut ham. Whether it's the centerpiece of an Easter brunch, a Christmas dinner tradition or an easy option for feeding a crowd, spiral hams have earned their place on the holiday table thanks to their convenience and rich flavor. Because they're pre-sliced around the bone, spiral hams are incredibly easy to carve, allowing guests to pull away tender slices without much effort.

While your grocery store will likely have an option or two for spiral-cut hams during holiday seasons, mail-order ham companies make it easier than ever to get these impressive roasts directly to your door. Unlike mail-order turkeys, many spiral hams arrive fully cooked and frozen, ready to thaw and gently reheat in the oven.

With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which ones are actually worth the splurge. We took the plunge and ordered a dozen different options to find out which ones were fit to grace your next holiday table.

How We Tested

To find the best hams, we started by researching popular online ham and gourmet food retailers across a wide range of price points, from budget-friendly subscription services to premium heritage pork producers. Each spiral-cut ham was ordered online and shipped directly to our tester's home so she could evaluate the full customer experience, from delivery and packaging to preparation and taste.

Thaw Test: The first step upon arrival was to open the package and see how well the ham fared during travel. We inspected each ham for packaging quality, looking for leaks, freezer burn or damage during transit. We also noted whether the ham arrived fully frozen or partially thawed. Each ham was thawed in the refrigerator according to the manufacturer's instructions when available, or using the standard guideline of about 24 hours per five pounds of ham.

Prep & Cook Test: Next, we prepared each ham according to its included instructions. Some hams required gentle heating, while others included glaze packets that needed to be brushed or basted on during cooking. We monitored the cooking time and internal temperature to see how accurately the instructions matched real-world results. During this stage, we also evaluated how easy each ham was to prepare and whether the cooking method helped retain moisture.

Taste Test: Finally, we sliced and tasted multiple portions of each ham. We noted overall flavor balance, smoke intensity, saltiness, sweetness and texture. We paid close attention to moisture and noted how tender the slices remained from the outer layers to the center near the bone. We tasted the glaze (if there was one) and whether it complemented the pork or overwhelmed it with sweetness.

What to Consider When Buying a Spiral Ham

Size: When choosing a ham size, aim for half a pound per person. This number could go down if there are other proteins served, such as turkey or fish. When in doubt, go bigger. Leftover ham is great for sandwiches, soups and casseroles later in the week.

Glaze and Flavor: Some spiral hams come with a glaze, and some don't. Brown sugar, maple and honey glazes are the most common, with some including any kind of spice mixture as well. Hams that include a glaze or come pre-glazed offer a simple prep procedure that can alleviate some hosting stress. On the flip side, hams with no glaze (or a separate glaze packet that you can toss) offer the opportunity to get creative with your own homemade glaze tailored to suit your taste.

Cured vs. Uncured: Most spiral-cut hams are technically cured, meaning they've been preserved with salt and sometimes nitrates or nitrites. These curing agents help develop the classic pink color and the familiar salty-sweet "hammy" flavor people expect. They also extend shelf life and contribute to the firm texture that many hams have. Some hams are labeled uncured, which usually means they're made without synthetic nitrates or preservatives. Instead, they may rely on natural curing ingredients, like celery powder, or simply use salt and smoke to flavor the meat. These hams often have a slightly more natural pork flavor and can taste less salty or processed than conventional hams. If you prefer a cleaner, more pork-forward flavor, an uncured ham may be a good choice.

Type: Most spiral hams are bone-in, which helps retain moisture and add flavor during reheating. Bone-in hams also make excellent leftovers because the bone can be used to flavor soup or beans. Boneless spiral hams are less common but easier to carve. As for size, a whole ham is football-shaped and weighs around 20 pounds. Many spiral hams on the market are half (or even quarters) of a whole ham.

Shipping Date: When ordering a mail-order ham for a holiday meal, pay close attention to shipping and delivery dates. Some companies can ship frozen hams at a moment's notice, while others have set delivery dates that correspond with holidays. Some ship frozen and some ship thawed (or your choice, as was the case with D'Artagnan). Because transit issues can always pop up unpredictably, your best bet is to order your ham in advance. Most hams can be kept frozen for several weeks or thawed for days without issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pounds of ham do you need per person?

For a bone-in spiral ham, plan on about half a pound per person. Because the bone adds weight, this amount provides a generous serving plus some leftovers. If you want plenty of ham for sandwiches and soups, plan closer to three-fourths of a pound per person.

What is the best way to cook a spiral ham so it doesn't dry out?

While each individual ham might come with specific instructions to keep it moist while reheating, gentle heat is typically the best way to go. Wrap the ham tightly in foil and heat it at around 300°F until the internal temperature reaches 120°F to 130°F. Adding a small amount of liquid, such as water, apple juice or broth, can also help keep the meat moist.

How far in advance should I buy a spiral ham?

Hams keep well, so give yourself plenty of time to account for shipping delays and thawing time. If you have freezer space, order your ham a few weeks before the event and keep it frozen until the week of the event. Most companies allow you to choose a delivery window to help time the arrival closer to the holiday meal.

How long does it take to thaw a frozen ham?

A good rule of thumb is about 24 hours of refrigerator time for every five pounds of ham. Smaller spiral hams may thaw in about a day, while larger ones can take as long as three days.

Which is better, bone-in or boneless spiral ham?

In testing, we preferred hams that were bone-in, which led to better flavor and moisture overall. The bone can also be used later for soup or beans. Boneless hams are easier to carve and slice, but tend to be less commonly found and may not have quite the same depth of flavor.

Other Spiral Hams We Tested

Several of the hams we tested fell flat for one reason or another. Harry & David is well known for its holiday gift baskets, and its spiral ham arrives attractively packaged. However, the glaze was overly sweet and loaded with cinnamon, while the meat was bland by comparison.

The Cajun Turkey Company Spiral-Cut Honey Ham gave us visions of Cajun-spiced wonder, but the ham was boring and bland, with nothing much to set it apart from others.

Honey Baked Ham's Bone-In Half Spiral Ham is the company's signature product, but we found it intensely salty.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

Taylor Murray is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University with a degree in Culinary Nutrition. She worked as a professional chef for over 10 years before moving into recipe and product testing and development. She has tested several hundred products for Food Network and other brands over the last six years, covering everything from carbon steel pans to food dehydrators.

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Food Network Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are tested in real home kitchens that reflect real-world use cases. Our testers follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing the best products, our testers evaluate all of the testing data and take into consideration many factors, including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. The products covered on FoodNetwork.com are chosen completely independently by our editors without any outside influence. Our editors do not accept products in exchange for a positive review or promised coverage.