Where to Buy a Fleur de Lis Ham: A Guide to Finding This Iconic Cured Meat

With its elegant shape and signature floral brand, the Fleur de Lis ham is one of the most iconic American cured meats. The delicate shape stamped with a stylized lily makes it a centerpiece for any holiday table or deli case. But with its artisanal production Fleur de Lis ham can be tricky to find in stores. This guide will walk you through the best places to buy an authentic Fleur de Lis ham for your next special occasion or everyday enjoyment.

Check Specialty Meat Markets and Butcher Shops

Your best bet for finding Fleur de Lis ham is to check with local specialty meat markets, butcher shops, and charcuterie retailers. The focus on fine meats makes these small businesses the ideal place to discover more uncommon cured meat options beyond your supermarket

Knowledgeable butchers can give you details on the pork breed, curing method, and aging time for the Fleur de Lis hams they source. Look for brands like Burgers’ Smokehouse and Edwards Virginia Smokehouse that produce Fleur de Lis ham in small batches with meticulous care. Expect to pay premium prices, but you’ll taste the artisanal quality.

Inquire at Upscale National Groceries

While availability varies by region, some upscale national supermarket chains carry Fleur de Lis ham, often as a seasonal holiday item. Check with the butcher counter at retailers like Whole Foods, Kroger’s, Wegman’s, Publix, and Piggly Wiggly.

Call ahead to ask if they stock Fleur de Lis ham and discuss options like bone-in vs boneless and spiral sliced. Due to its seasonal nature, you may need to preorder a ham for a specific event. Going through a national grocer provides more convenience if you’re already shopping there.

Look for Mail Order and Online Options

If you strike out finding Fleur de Lis ham locally mail order providers and online shopping open up access to specialty meat producers across the country. Brands like Burgers’ Smokehouse Edwards Virginia Smokehouse, and Southside Market allow online sales and ship hams overnight packed with freezer gel packs.

Check the seller’s credentials, minimum order sizes, and shipping policies first. Make sure to select expedited shipping so the ham arrives as fresh as possible. While less convenient than local shopping, mail order gives you access to iconic brands and holiday availability.

Consider Hormel’s Wide Distribution

While smaller smokehouses originally popularized Fleur de Lis ham, large meat company Hormel Foods now produces this iconic ham for national distribution. Hormel’s Fleur de Lis ham offers consistent quality and sheer convenience, available through food service and retailers nationwide.

Hormel uses a patented press-rack method to give their Fleur de Lis ham its signature shape. Look for it at major supermarket chains, warehouse clubs, and food service operations across the country. Going with a national brand means you can easily add Fleur de Lis ham to everyday menus.

What Makes Fleur de Lis Ham Special

Beyond its distinctive shape, what elevates Fleur de Lis above average deli ham? Here are some key qualities:

• Artisanal Production – Originally made in small smokehouses, not mass production plants

• Heritage Breed Pork – Specific hog breeds like Berkshire valued for rich flavor

• Natural Hardwood Smoking – Real hardwood smoke infuses flavor slowly over days

• Boneless Curing – Bone is removed pre-curing so ham stays intact

• Press-Rack Shaping – Ham is pressed in a mold for elegant, uniform shape

• Long Aging – Extended natural curing enhances complex flavor

Finding authentic Fleur de Lis ham may take some effort, but tasting the results is worth the hunt. Let the distinct flora shape and taste lead you to cured meat perfection.

Serving Suggestions for Fleur de Lis Ham

Once you secure the perfect Fleur de Lis ham, how do you put its elegance and rich flavor on display? Here are some ideas:

• Carve thin slices and arrange artfully on a charcuterie board with fruits, nuts, bread, and cheese.

• Serve spiral cut Fleur de Lis ham warm with classic holiday meals like turkey, prime rib, or lamb.

• Fry slivers in a skillet for depth in bean soups, greens, or skillet potatoes.

• Slice Fleur de Lis ham thick and pile high on biscuits, slider rolls, or croissants for a luxe sandwich.

• Dice or shred Fleur de Lis ham as a flavor boost in salads, omelets, pasta, or pizza.

• Fill puff pastry pockets with brie and Fleur de Lis ham for an easy, elegant appetizer.

Let the distinctive Fleur de Lis shape guide you to amazing American cured ham. With its storybook legacy and nuanced flavor, enjoy Fleur de Lis ham in both time-honored and creative new ways.