Can You Buy Raw Ham May 2026

The USDA guidelines require labels to state if a ham is "ready-to-eat" or "needs cooking".

or are cured for a year or more. The high salt content and long drying time make them shelf-stable and safe to eat without cooking. Comparison of Ham Types Processed? Safe to eat "Raw"? Common Use Fresh Ham ❌ No, must be fully cooked Roasting, DIY curing Country Ham Yes (Dry-cured) ❌ No, usually needs cooking/soaking Breakfast slices, holiday mains City Ham Yes (Brined) ✅ Yes (Pre-cooked) Standard deli sandwiches Prosciutto Yes (Aged) ✅ Yes (Safe as-is) Charcuterie, appetizers Tips for Buying Raw Ham can you buy raw ham

A fresh ham is simply a raw, unprocessed hind leg of a pig. It has not been brined, salted, or smoked. The USDA guidelines require labels to state if

Brands like Burgers' Smokehouse sell these hams "raw" or "uncooked". Comparison of Ham Types Processed

) with a three-minute rest, though many recipes call for roasting it like a traditional pork roast. 2. Uncooked Cured Ham (Country Ham)

These hams are preserved using a dry-rub curing process but have not been heated or smoked to the point of being "ready-to-eat". The most famous example in the U.S. is Country Ham , which is dry-cured with salt and aged for months.

Yes, you can buy raw ham, though what "raw" means depends entirely on whether you are looking for a completely unprocessed cut of meat or a cured product that hasn't been heated yet. In the culinary world, "raw" usually falls into two categories: and Uncooked Cured Ham . 1. Fresh Ham (Uncured & Unsmoked)