Fareway’s ham loaf has become a beloved staple for many who shop at their meat markets. This pre-formed loaf of ground ham is convenient tasty, and endlessly versatile, making it a go-to for weeknight dinners, appetizers and more. But what exactly makes up this popular product? Let’s take a closer look at what goes into Fareway’s famous ham loaf.
A Blend of Premium Ham
The primary ingredient in Fareway’s ham loaf is of course ham. But this isn’t just any ham – it’s a special blend of high-quality, lean smoked ham. Fareway sources their ham from leading pork suppliers like Swift Premium and Smithfield to ensure it meets their high standards.
The ham is carefully trimmed to remove excess fat and sinew. It is then ground together with other premium ham cuts to achieve the right balance of meat-to-fat ratio, tenderness, and flavor. This blending process allows Fareway to control the consistency and quality in every batch.
Seasonings That Complement the Ham
While ham is the star of the show, Fareway enhances its flavor with a special blend of seasonings. Based on the ingredients listed on their website, these seasonings likely include:
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Salt – Essential for enhancing and balancing the meat’s flavor.
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Sugar – A small amount of sugar balances out the saltiness and supports the ham’s sweet, smoky flavor.
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Spices – Likely a blend including black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and spices like nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. These add subtle background notes without overpowering the ham.
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Cure ingredients – Contains sodium nitrite to preserve color and prevent bacteria. This gives ham loaf its characteristic pink hue.
The exact blend and ratios are Fareway’s secret, but it’s tailored to highlight the natural flavor of quality ham without excessive seasoning. Just enough to make it pop.
Binders and Fillers for Texture
In addition to meat and spices, ham loaf contains some binders and fillers to impact the texture:
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Corn syrup – Adds moisture and sweetness while helping to bind the mixture.
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Dextrose – A type of sugar that absorbs moisture to improve binding.
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Carrageenan – A seaweed extract used as a thickening and binding agent.
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Cereal fillers – Likely corn flour or other grain floursused to absorb moisture and add softness.
These ingredients help ham loaf slice cleanly and lend it a pleasing, moist texture. The meat remains the main focus, while the fillers act as supporting players.
The Blend Makes All the Difference
While the ingredients individually are simple, it’s the artful blending in perfect proportion that makes Fareway’s ham loaf stand out. Their expertise ensures each bite has just the right meat-to-fat ratio and ideal moisture content.
The lean ham provides plenty of smoky, savory pork flavor, while the fats and connective tissue lend richness and moisture. The spices and seasonings subtly enhance the meat without masking its character. And the binders and fillers provide just enough firmness to slice neatly while retaining a soft, delicate crumb when cooked.
From the Meat Counter to Your Table
One reason customers love Fareway’s ham loaf is the convenience. Formed into a ready-to-cook loaf, it eliminates the work of grinding and mixing the meat yourself. It’s the next best thing to buying directly from the butcher counter.
The 1-pound size is perfect for smaller households. For larger gatherings, it can easily be sliced and served as a hearty appetizer. Or form it into balls and serve as an appetizer or main dish topped with your favorite sauce.
However you use it, Fareway’s ham loaf delivers premium ham flavor in an easy, versatile form. It provides a tasty timesaver for savvy home cooks.
Creative Ways to Use Fareway’s Ham Loaf
Fareway’s ham loaf is delicious pan fried, baked, or grilled as-is. But its mild flavor and convenience also make it an ideal starting point for all sorts of easy homemade dishes:
Breakfast Treats
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Make ham, egg, and cheese breakfast sliders on Hawaiian rolls.
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Dice it up to mix into scrambles or frittatas.
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Pan fry slices and serve with redeye gravy.
Appetizers
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Stuff it into puff pastry with cheese and mustard for easy ham rolls.
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Bread slices and pan fry for ham croquettes with creamy dip.
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Wrap around pickle spears for ham roll-ups.
Main Dishes
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Make traditional ham balls covered in your favorite glaze.
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Slice and layer on sandwiches in place of deli ham.
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Dice it up to mix into casseroles, pasta bakes, and soups.
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Grill slices and serve with pineapple salsa.
Side Dishes
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Cut into chunks to roast with potatoes and veggies.
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Mix diced ham with hashbrown casserole.
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Add to any green bean or brussels sprouts recipe.
With a little creativity, the possibilities are endless! Fareway’s ham loaf is a blank canvas ready to be transformed into quick, delicious meals.
Quality You Can Trust from Fareway
As a family-owned Midwest grocery store since 1938, Fareway has established a reputation for quality and service. Their meat markets continue that tradition by providing premium cuts and housemade products like ham loaf.
Rather than outsourcing to large commercial producers, Fareway’s 300+ stores work with local suppliers and their own in-house experts to create customized products made to their specifications.
Their ham loaf exemplifies this hands-on approach. It meets their stricter standards for lean ham, spice blends, and fillers. You get a better product than mass-produced store brands, while still enjoying convenience and value.
Next time you shop Fareway’s meat counter, pick up a package of their ham loaf to keep on hand. It brings gourmet quality into your everyday cooking. A tasty timesaver you can feel good about serving your family.