I Taste-Tested Three Mail-Order Hams, and This Is the Best One

Tested by Taylor Murray

While large roasted prime ribs and turkeys get lots of attention around certain holidays, some prefer the simplicity of a nicely smoked ham. After all, who needs the stress of basting, brining, and constantly checking the internal temperature when a quality ham simply needs to be reheated? Bone-in, bone-out, spiral-cut or unsliced, glazed or unglazed, hams can be just as impressive as any other centerpiece main course but require much less fuss.

This year, I put a few of the most popular shippable hams from QVC through rounds of taste-testing to see which could deliver the perfect mix of flavor, ease and value. If you're looking for a main dish that doesn't cause chaos in the kitchen and still tastes like you fussed over it, read on to discover which was my pick.

What I Tested

I tested three hams sold through QVC, including two from Kansas City Steak Co. I've written positive reviews about other meats available from this direct-ship butcher, including all-beef hot dogs. The company offers fully cooked, pre-sliced, smoked hams that come with your choice of a brown sugar glaze, hickory-smoked or boneless. The hams ship straight to your door frozen in a Styrofoam container that's packed with dry ice, so there are no issues with spoilage. After it arrives, all you have to do is thaw, heat and serve.

What Is Kansas City Steak Co.?

Founded in 1932, Kansas City Steak Co. has established itself as a quality source of grain-fed beef from trusted Midwestern ranchers, many of whom have been partnered with the company for generations. Based in the center of cattle country, this US-based company operates its own USDA-inspected facility to produce every cut of beef sold through the website. Best known for premium steaks and roasts, Kansas City Steak Co. also sells a variety of quality proteins, from applewood-smoked hams to prime rib roast and gourmet sides like twice-baked potatoes. With a heritage rooted in Kansas City's rich beef tradition, this company positions itself as a gateway to top-tier meats delivered directly to your door.

How I Tested

I tested three hams in total, all ordered online and evaluated in-house. Once they arrived, I unboxed them and looked for any included paperwork regarding care or preparation. I took a temperature reading of the ham to ensure it was still within a safe window for consumption and looked for any leaking that may have occurred en route. After that, I started thawing.

Thaw Test: Each of the hams arrived vacuum-sealed for freshness and packed in Styrofoam coolers filled with dry ice. Most were able to thaw in about 24 hours, though you can leave the ham in the refrigerator to thaw for up to three days, or keep it frozen until you're ready to thaw.

Prep & Cook Test: To cook each ham, I followed the manufacturer's instructions. For the Kansas City Steak Co. hams, the included instructions called for wrapping the entire ham in foil and heating it at 350°F for 60-75 minutes, or until the internal temperature reached 140°F. After that, I brushed with the included glaze and cooked unwrapped for another 10 minutes. The brown sugar glaze arrived in powdered form and had to be briefly simmered with water to reconstitute (the honey glaze alternative comes ready-to-use).

Taste Test: After cooking, each ham rested for 15 minutes before slicing and tasting. I sliced the entire ham down to the bone (if it had one), looking for deep pockets of fat or other unsavory areas.

My Review Based on Testing

Packaging: Overall, the Kansas City Steak Co. ham with brown sugar glaze beat the others in multiple areas. It arrived frozen solid and tightly sealed, with absolutely zero leaking or packaging issues. Beside the ham was a separate packet including the cooking instructions and brown sugar glaze mix, clearly marked and simple to decipher.

Appearance: Out of the packaging, the ham looked fresh, pink and solid to the touch, despite the spiral slicing. This made it easier to handle when removing it from the plastic packaging and placing it in the foil. After cooking, it browned beautifully with a shiny, crackly glaze all over. The interior stayed nice and juicy, with the cuts allowing more of the glaze to penetrate each bite.

Prep: The prep doesn't get much simpler. The thawing process was quick and even, with no mess in the refrigerator thanks to thick, sturdy packaging. Once the ham is wrapped in foil and in the oven, it doesn't need constant babysitting or basting. It did take longer than the directions stated, by about 30 minutes. While it's cooking, I added a bit of water to the brown sugar glaze mix and brought it to a boil. It quickly transformed into a thick glaze with just a few stirs of a spoon.

Taste: Taste-wise, the slices were tender and flavorful, with a light smoke that complemented the glaze. The overall sweetness is exactly what most people want for a holiday ham. The honey-glazed ham by the same company tasted very similar and was only narrowly beaten by this one. In the end, the brown sugar glaze was just slightly more flavorful and easier to prepare.

Price and Value: Considering the generous size, careful packaging and simple prep, this ham delivers a strong value. At around $14 a pound, it is definitely a premium meat, but the price reflects the quality and convenience. I would especially recommend it for anyone hosting a big group or a gathering that could use another main that doesn't require much hands-on work.

Bottom Line

If you want a holiday main dish that's practically impossible to mess up, and won't monopolize your oven on a hectic day, then the Kansas City Steak Co. Spiral Ham is an excellent choice. It's sweet, smoky, tender and looks gorgeous on the table. The cooking time may run a bit long, but nowhere near the requirement of a large-format protein cooked from raw, such as a turkey or prime rib. The final result is delicious, beautiful and welcome on my dinner table any time.

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.