Wondering if ham is gluten-free? You’re in the right place. Read on to learn what to watch for when buying ham and which brands are known to be gluten-free.
I’ve also included our family-favorite recipe for sweet baked ham. I hope you enjoy it!
Is Ham Gluten-Free?
Sometimes, but not always.
Plain ham — the meat itself — is naturally gluten-free. However, some processed hams, deli meats, and glazes may contain gluten or be exposed to cross-contamination during processing. Ingredients used in curing, flavoring, or glazes, such as broths, seasonings, or sauce mixes, can include wheat or other gluten-containing ingredients.
Always read labels carefully. If a glaze packet or seasoning lists wheat, barley, rye, malt, or “natural flavors” without clarification, it may contain gluten. If you are sensitive to trace amounts of gluten, choose products that are explicitly labeled gluten-free or certified gluten-free.
What Is Ham Made Of?
Ham is a cut of pork from the hind leg of a pig. Many hams sold at grocery stores are cured and cooked before packaging. Curing often involves injecting or rubbing the meat with salt, sugar, sodium nitrite, and other flavorings, then smoking or roasting it.
“Fresh ham” refers to uncured ham that has not been smoked or injected and must be cooked before eating. Because commercial curing and glazing can introduce additional ingredients, checking the label is the best way to ensure a specific product is gluten-free.
Gluten-Free Hams
Some manufacturers label their hams gluten-free or are known to produce gluten-free options. Availability and recipes vary by product and location, so always verify the label at purchase. Examples of brands that offer gluten-free or gluten-free-certified hams include:
- Beeler’s Pure Pork
- Boar’s Head
- Burgers’ Smokehouse (Boneless Sliced Sweet Smoked City Ham)
- Cook’s Ham
- Dietz & Watson (certified gluten-free)
- Edward’s Petite Country Ham
- Farmland
- Good & Gather Hickory Smoked Uncured Boneless Sliced Quarter Ham
- Hatfield Original Hardwood Smoked Dinner Ham
- Holiday Ham (Honey Glazed Spiral Sliced)
- Honey Baked Ham
- Jones Dairy Farm (certified gluten-free)
- Kentucky Legend
- Kirkland Signature Master Carve Half Ham
- Nodine’s
- Nueske’s
- Pederson’s Farms (Spiral Sliced Uncured Half Ham Boneless)
- Ranch House Meat Company (Honey Glazed Spiral Ham)
- Smithfield
- Wellshire Farms
- Wright
Note: This list includes brands that either have specific gluten-free products or are commonly reported as safe. Product formulations change, so check packaging and ingredient statements before purchasing.
Gluten-Free Ham Recipe
Ham is a holiday favorite year-round. Below is our family’s recipe for a sweet baked ham that’s naturally gluten-free when you start with a gluten-free ham. We always use a bone-in ham that is not pre-sliced for the best flavor and texture.
The glaze combines brown sugar, dry mustard, and apple cider vinegar for a sticky, balanced sauce that complements the ham. Serve with cheesy potatoes and roasted vegetables for a classic holiday meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet brown sugar glaze with a tangy finish
- Moist, tender ham when using a bone-in cut
- Naturally gluten-free when you start with gluten-free ham
- Easy to make ahead for holiday convenience
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients for this sweet baked ham:
- Ham: 5–7 pound bone-in ham (butt, shoulder, or shank), not pre-sliced
- Apple cider vinegar: 3 cups for boiling liquid and to balance the glaze
- Dry mustard powder: 2 tablespoons for savory depth
- Brown sugar: 2 cups, divided — part for boiling liquid and part for the glaze
How to Make This Recipe
BOIL THE HAM
- Slice the ham into 5–6 inch chunks, removing the bone and large fat pieces.
- In a very large pot combine 3 cups apple cider vinegar, 6 cups water, and 1 cup sugar; whisk until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the ham chunks and bring the liquid to a boil.
- Cover, reduce heat to a simmer, and simmer for about 2 hours until the ham is tender and easily shredded. Keep the lid on as much as possible. If you need more liquid, add a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish or large roasting pan. Carefully remove the ham from the pot, place it in the prepared dish, and begin to pull it apart slightly.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1 cup brown sugar with the dry mustard.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over the ham and cover the dish with foil. At this point you can refrigerate the ham for up to 3 days before baking if you want to make it ahead.
BAKE THE HAM
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Keep the ham covered with foil and bake for 1 hour.
- Remove foil, stir the ham to coat it in the glaze, and serve warm.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Sliced ham is great for sandwiches, soups, and salads.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Choose the right cut: Don’t use pre-sliced spiral ham for this recipe; bone-in cuts retain more moisture and flavor.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the ham up to three days in advance after boiling and glazing, then bake when ready to serve.
- Serving ideas: Pair the ham with cheesy potatoes, roasted or sautéed asparagus or green beans, fresh rolls, mashed potatoes, or a bright fruit salad.
More Gluten-Free Easter Recipes
Gluten-Free Cheesy Potatoes
Deviled Eggs with Relish
Easy Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
Gluten-Free Lemon Cream Pie
Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Casserole (Pecan Praline Topping!)
The Best Gluten-Free Coconut Cake
I hope you love this gluten-free ham recipe as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment or rating.
Gluten-Free Sweet Baked Ham
Comments
Ingredients
- 5-7 pound bone-in ham NOT a spiral ham
- 3 cups apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups brown sugar divided
- 2 tablespoons dry mustard
Instructions
BOIL THE HAM
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Slice the ham into 5-6 inch chunks, removing the bone and fat.
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In a very large pot, add 3 cups of cider vinegar, 6 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
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Add the ham chunks to the liquid and bring to a boil.
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Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for about 2 hours until the ham is tender and can easily be shredded. If you need to add more liquid, use 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water.
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Grease a 9×13 baking dish. Carefully remove the ham from the pot and place it in the baking dish, pulling it apart slightly.
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In a small bowl, mix together the remaining 1 cup brown sugar with the dry mustard.
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Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the ham and cover the baking dish with foil. At this point you can refrigerate the ham up to 3 days before baking.
BAKE THE HAM
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Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Bake the ham covered with foil for 1 hour.
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Stir the ham to toss in the brown sugar sauce. Serve and enjoy.