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How to Choose the Best Ham for Your Family: The Ultimate Guide (2025 Edition)
Whether you’re preparing a Christmas lunch, a Sunday roast, or a special family gathering, choosing the right ham can make all the difference. With so many options—smoked, glazed, bone-in, boneless, honey-cured, wood-smoked—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
The good news? Once you understand the different cuts, flavours, curing styles, and serving sizes, choosing the perfect ham for your family becomes simple.
Here’s everything you need to know to pick the best, juiciest, most flavourful ham for your next celebration.
⭐ 1. Choose Between Bone-In vs Boneless Ham
Bone-In Ham
Best for flavour lovers.
✔ Rich, traditional flavour
✔ Stays juicy during cooking
✔ Perfect for roasting or glazing
✔ Makes a great leftover bone for soups
Best for: Christmas feasts, large families, roasting.
Boneless Ham
Best for convenience.
✔ Easy to slice
✔ Cooks quickly
✔ Great for sandwiches and platters
✔ No carving skills needed
Best for: Smaller families, sandwiches, light entertaining.
⭐ 2. Understand the Types of Ham
Knowing the style helps you choose the right taste and texture.
Smoked Ham
✔ Deep, savoury, traditional flavour
✔ Smoked with wood or natural smoke
✔ Ideal for roasting, glazing, or serving cold
Honey-Cured Ham
✔ Sweet, delicate and family friendly
✔ Great for glazing with extra honey or brown sugar
✔ Perfect for kids and sweeter palates
Double-Smoked Ham
✔ Bold flavour
✔ Amazing crisp edges when baked
✔ Great for those who like a stronger taste
Natural/Uncured Ham
✔ Less salty
✔ Milder flavour
✔ Still needs cooking unless label says “ready to eat”
⭐ 3. Decide Whether You Want a Ready-to-Eat or Cook-Yourself Ham
Ready-to-Eat Ham
✔ Already fully cooked
✔ Just heat and glaze
✔ Easy for busy families
✔ Foolproof for holiday hosting
Cook-Yourself Ham (Green Ham)
✔ Raw & needs full cooking
✔ Allows complete flavour control
✔ Great for experienced home cooks
⭐ 4. Pick the Right Size for Your Family
Use this quick guide to avoid buying too much—or running out!
Bone-In Ham
1 kg = 2–3 people
4–5 kg = Small family
6–8 kg = Large gatherings
Boneless Ham
1 kg = 3–4 people
2 kg = Small family
3–4 kg = Medium group
📌 TIP: Always allow a little extra for leftovers — ham sandwiches, omelettes, toasties, salads, and breakfast boards.
⭐ 5. Check the Quality Before You Buy
Look for:
✔ Even pink colour
✔ Minimal water content
✔ Firm texture (not mushy)
✔ Natural fat layer around the outside
✔ Australian-sourced if possible
Avoid hams that look grey, overly wet, or artificially bright.
⭐ 6. Choose the Best Flavour for Your Family
For Sweet Lovers
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Honey ham
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Maple glazed
-
Brown sugar crust
-
Pineapple glazed
For Savoury Palates
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Wood-smoked
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Double-smoked
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Mustard-crusted
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Herb-roasted
For Kids
-
Mild honey-cured
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Boneless ham
-
Lightly smoked
⭐ 7. Think About How You Will Serve It
Planning a Christmas Feast?
Choose a bone-in ham with a beautiful glaze.
Making Sandwiches for Several Days?
Choose a boneless ham for easy slicing.
Serving Cold on Platters?
Choose smoked ham, already cooked and chilled.
Hosting a Big BBQ?
Choose a leg ham, great for carving and sharing.
⭐ 8. Choose a Glaze That Elevates Your Ham
Glazes make a big difference in colour, aroma, and taste.
Popular Glaze Ideas:
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Brown sugar + honey + mustard
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Maple syrup + cinnamon
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Orange juice + cloves
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Pineapple + ginger
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Apricot + rosemary
Brush on during the last 30–45 minutes for irresistible caramelisation.
⭐ 9. Storing Your Ham Safely
✔ Store ham in a breathable ham bag or pillowcase
✔ Soak the bag in water + vinegar first
✔ Keep refrigerated at 3–5°C
✔ Refresh ham bag every 3 days
✔ Well-stored ham lasts 7–10 days
If you need reliable commercial refrigeration for safe holiday storage:
➡ Explore refrigeration options at Hospitality Connect:
https://hospitalityconnect.com.au/collections/refrigeration
⭐ 10. Where to Buy the Best Ham
Look for:
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Local butchers
-
Australian pork producers
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Markets
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Stores with award-winning hams
Buying good-quality ham supports local farmers and gives you a better flavour and texture.
🎄 Conclusion: The Best Ham Is the One That Fits Your Family
To choose the best ham for your family:
✔ Pick your style (bone-in vs boneless)
✔ Choose flavour (smoked, honey, natural)
✔ Decide on serving style (hot, cold, glazed, sliced)
✔ Buy the right size
✔ Make sure it fits your family’s tastes
With the right ham, your holiday table or family gathering will be unforgettable.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best ham for Christmas?
Bone-in smoked ham — it has the best flavour and caramelises beautifully when glazed.
What size ham do I need for 10 people?
Aim for a 4–5 kg bone-in ham or 3 kg boneless ham.
Is boneless ham real ham?
Yes — it’s simply deboned for easier slicing and storage.
What glaze works best?
Brown sugar, honey, and mustard are classic and crowd-pleasing.
Can I freeze ham?
Yes — freeze slices in airtight packaging for up to 2–3 months.
