Are Hormel Ham Patties Discontinued?

Hormel ham patties have been a beloved freezer aisle staple for decades Their convenience, affordability, and classic smoked ham flavor makes them an easy meal solution for hurried households. However, fans have recently expressed dismay that this product seems to have vanished from stores So what’s the deal – are Hormel ham patties discontinued?

What Are Hormel Ham Patties?

For those not familiar Hormel ham patties are a type of formed pressed ham product made by the Hormel company. The patties consist of ground, smoked ham mixed with water, seasonings, and binders like wheat flour or cornstarch.

The patties come frozen in resealable plastic pouches, ready to heat and eat. Each pattie is about 3-4 ounces in size with a round, flattened shape resembling a hamburger patty. However, unlike a burger, they are fully cooked.

The convenience factor of ham patties makes them popular. You can quickly pan fry, bake, or microwave them for fast meals or snacks. They provide a pop of smoky ham flavor to sandwiches, breakfast plates, pasta, and more.

Why Hormel Ham Patties Were Discontinued

According to consumer comments and Hormel’s product locator tool, it appears Hormel ham patties have indeed been discontinued. The product is no longer searchable or available for purchase through major retailers.

Hormel has not provided a specific reason for discontinuing this product line. However, food companies regularly pare down their offerings based on factors like:

• Declining sales and popularity
• Inability to source ingredients
• High production costs
• Consumer trends moving away from processed foods
• Desire to promote newer products

Discontinuations allow companies to focus their efforts on top-selling lines vs. supporting less profitable or outdated items. For devoted fans though, it can be disappointing to lose cherished pantry staples.

Where To Find Similar Ham Patties

While Hormel no longer makes their ham patties, some alternatives exist:

• Jennie-O Ham Patties – Hormel’s sister brand Jennie-O sells similar breaded ham patties in original and bacon cheddar flavors.

• Butterball Everyday Ham Patties – These pressed ham patties are another close match with similar nutrition stats.

• DIY patties – You can recreate ham patties at home by pulsing deli ham in a food processor and shaping into patties. Add a binder like egg or breadcrumbs and pan fry.

• Canned ham – Opt for bites of canned ham chopped up in dishes instead of formed patties.

• Ham slices – Breakfast ham steak or sliced deli ham can also substitute in many recipes calling for patties.

While not exact replacements, these alternatives help fill the void left by Hormel’s discontinued ham patties. Jennie-O and Butterball versions come the closest in terms of flavor, texture, and format.

Petitioning To Bring Back Hormel Ham Patties

Devoted fans who want to try and revive Hormel ham patties can take the following actions:

• Contact Hormel – Reach out to Hormel’s customer service online or by phone to express your desire for them to bring back the patties. Polite requests can influence decisions.

• Email Hormel – Find contact info for Hormel’s consumer affairs team online and email them about the demand.

• Comment online – Leave comments on Hormel’s social media pages or food sites requesting the return of ham patties.

• Start a petition – Launch a Change.org petition explaining the significance of Hormel ham patties and signatures of supporters.

• Suggest alternatives – Propose ideas like alternate sizes or recipes to improve profitability of ham patties.

While discontinuations are rarely reversed, it’s possible for devoted fans to show there’s still a viable market. Just remember to be constructive in campaigning for a comeback!

Making Your Own Hormel-Style Ham Patties

If you want to recreate the Hormel ham patty experience at home, here is a simple DIY recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground fully cooked ham
• 3 tbsp breadcrumbs or panko
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
• 1⁄4 tsp black pepper
• Dash of Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix together all ingredients until well combined.

2. Form mixture into patties about 1⁄2 inch thick and 3-4 inches wide.

3. In a lightly oiled skillet, fry patties over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and heated through.

4. Serve patties on buns, with eggs, in pasta, or however you prefer!

5. To freeze, cool patties completely then store in airtight container up to 3 months. Reheat frozen patties on the stove or in the microwave.

This easy homemade version allows you to customize with your favorite seasonings and still satisfy that craving for Hormel’s timeless ham patties.

The Bottom Line

Hormel’s discontinuation of their iconic ham patties has left many fans disappointed. But similar products are available to fill the void, or creative home cooks can experiment with making their own version. Persistent devotees may also try rallying Hormel to revive the patties by demonstrating ongoing interest.

While beloved products inevitably come and go, food companies do listen to their most loyal consumers. With some polite persistence from ham patty fanatics, perhaps this discontinued line could make a comeback someday soon.