The Best Places to Buy a Delicious Pre-Cooked Ham for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be the same without a beautifully browned ham as the centerpiece of the dinner table. But not everyone has time to cook a raw ham from scratch. That’s where buying a pre-cooked ham comes in handy! When you want quality and convenience, here are some of the best places to purchase a ready-to-eat ham for Thanksgiving or any special occasion.

Grocery Store Deli Counter

The deli counter at your local grocery store is a convenient option for picking up a cooked ham off the shelf without pre-ordering Here are some things to consider about this choice

• Wide selection of national and store brands
• Can see and smell hams in person
• Purchase only what you need by weight
• Less planning required versus pre-ordering
• Availability cannot be guaranteed close to holidays

Check for spiral-cut hams for easy carving and some brands like Boar’s Head for premium quality. Inspect carefully for best appearance and aroma. Opt for minimal added water and no strange odors. Then slice, glaze, and bake for a home-style ham from the grocery store deli.

Costco

For feeding a crowd at a value price, checking Costco for hams is wise. Benefits include:

• Hams often pre-spiral cut for easy serving
• Typically under $2 per pound for boneless hams
• Come fully cooked – just heat and glaze
• Lots of meat for the price – average 7-10 lbs.
• Requires a Costco membership

Watch out for excessive water weight adding cost. Estimate about 1/3 pound of cooked ham per serving. For best value, look for the Kirkland brand spiral hams at Costco.

Online Direct from Company

Ordering direct from companies specializing in mail order hams allows buying delicious gourmet hams from your home. Considerations:

• Boutique and specialty hams unavailable in stores
• Pre-cooked so minimal work required
• Ships frozen to your door
• Order exactly the size you need
• Won’t sell out like stores
• Allows time to thaw in fridge

Top mail order ham companies like Burgers’ Smokehouse, Honey Baked Ham, and Holiday Ham provide juicy hams (bone-in or boneless) that just need gentle reheating.

Direct from Farms

For local flavor, buy directly from family farms producing specialty hams Benefits include

• Supports local business and agriculture
• Minimally processed without artificial ingredients
• Can customize size and add smoking
• Farm-fresh quality
• Requires planning ahead and pickup

Check local farmer’s markets and search online for “ham farm near me” But confirm hams come pre-cooked unless you want to smoke it yourself

Butcher Shops or Delis

For premium quality, visit a local butcher or premier deli. Perks include:

• High-endCuts not found in regular supermarkets
• Custom orders like house-smoked hams
• Local established restaurants may sell take-home hams
• Can personally inspect, smell, and hand-select
• Availability limited around holidays

Be prepared to splurge a bit more for these gourmet hams that offer supreme flavor and quality.

Whole Foods Deli

The deli at Whole Foods Market provides another reliable choice for cooked hams with:

• Broad selection from Value to Premium tier
• Spiral-cut options for easy serving
• Emphasis on artisanal, sustainable sourcing
• In-house smoking in some locations
• Tend to sell out on holidays

Browse the deli case early or pre-order holiday hams from Whole Foods Market to get the size you need.

Sam’s Club

Like Costco, Sam’s Club sells full cooked hams perfect for feeding a Thanksgiving crowd. Reasons to consider:

• Member’s Mark brand hams high quality
• Low price per pound, often under $2/lb.
• Take & Bake Case hams just require glazing
• Average 8-10 lbs. yielding lots of meat
• Need to be a Sam’s Club member

Watch out for high water weight. Estimate about 1/3 lb. per serving from a boneless ham.

Grocery Pick-up/Delivery

Many grocery chains now let you order hams online for convenient curbside pick-up or delivery. Benefits include:

• Reserve your ham ahead and skip the lines
• Pick your ham without entering store
• Get ham delivered directly to your door
• Available from local chains like Kroger, Publix, etc.
• Does require planning and ordering early

Use the grocery or deli section on store websites to see ham selection and sizes. Order early to get the date you want.

Ham Selection Tips

• Choose bone-in or boneless for easier carving
• Estimate 1⁄3 lb. per serving; 1⁄2 lb. for bone-in
• Opt for minimal water/salt content
• Look for natural smoking and curing
• Inspect carefully for best color and scent

With so many excellent places to purchase cooked hams these days, you’re sure to find a delicious pre-cooked ham to make the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving meal. Order early from your preferred source to get the size you need. Then on Turkey Day, simply glaze and bake for holiday magic on a plate!