Sugardale Ham: A Tender, Sweet Treat Worth Trying
As a busy home cook, I’m always on the lookout for quality ingredients that make dinnertime easier. When it comes to ham, Sugardale is one brand that consistently delivers delicious flavor in every bite. But is Sugardale ham really all that it’s cracked up to be? Let’s take a closer look at why this beloved brand stands out.
What Makes Sugardale Ham So Special
Founded in 1920, the Ohio-based company Sugardale Foods aimed to create ham and pork products with unparalleled quality through innovation. Today, Sugardale ham comes from premium fresh pork that is slowly cured using proprietary recipes and processes. This results in a signature sweetness complemented by a subtle smoky nuance.
When you open a pack of sliced Sugardale ham, its rosy pink color and supple texture are immediately evident. This soft smooth ham melts in your mouth with a delicate sweetness unlike any other brand I’ve tried. Even my kids gobble up Sugardale ham sandwiches and wraps with delight.
My Taste Test Findings
To better understand Sugardale’s qualities, I directly compared it to other leading mass-market ham brands in a taste test. Against Smithfield ham, Sugardale’s flavor is notably sweeter and more delicate. The smokiness is more restrained, creating an overall milder flavor profile.
Against Black Forest ham, Sugardale has a softer, more tender bite Its subtle sweetness contrasts beautifully with Black Forest’s prominent smoky, salty punch Of all the hams sampled, Sugardale felt the most refined, with carefully crafted flavors designed to highlight the natural taste of pork.
How Sugardale Ham Performs in Recipes
Beyond basic sandwiches, I wanted to see how Sugardale ham would hold up in recipes. Its thin slices truly excel in wraps, flatbreads, and sandwiches where its soft texture is an asset. Even picky kids seem to love its mild sweetness in familiar formats.
In salads, Sugardale’s finely diced ham provides a pop of flavor and texture without overpowering greens. It also performed well in my split pea soup, imparting a subtle smoky background note that didn’t overwhelm the broth.
However, for dishes where you want an intense ham flavor to stand out, like quiche Lorraine or glazed baked ham, Sugardale may get lost amongst bold ingredients. Traditional Smithfield ham seems better suited as the star in these cases.
Health and Sustainability Considerations
For health-conscious consumers, Sugardale ham contains no artificial ingredients or added nitrates/nitrites. The company also highlights its focus on responsible farming and animal care practices. Its facilities utilize renewable energy sources and emphasize recycling and waste reduction. Sugardale aims to produce quality ham in an ethical, eco-friendly manner.
The Verdict on Sugardale Ham
After extensive tasting tests and recipe experiments, I can confidently recommend Sugardale as an excellent everyday ham option. Its smooth texture and nuanced sweetness make it an easy crowd-pleaser, especially in sandwiches, flatbreads, wraps, and salads. Kids devour it happily.
While bolder hams like Smithfield may be better suited as the star of robust dishes, you can’t go wrong keeping a pack of Sugardale ham in your fridge for easy sandwiches, quick appetizers, and weeknight meals. Its mild yet complex flavor profile allows other ingredients to shine while still imparting a tasty meatiness.
If you’re looking for delicious ham without overpowering smoky or salty notes, give Sugardale a try. The tender slices and delicate sweetness just may make it your new go-to for everyday cooking. This top-quality ham enhances a wide variety of recipes while still keeping prep easy and approachable. For a tasty and versatile ham your whole family will love, Sugardale is a smart choice.
FAQs About Sugardale Ham
- Where can I buy Sugardale ham?
Sugardale ham is sold at most major grocery stores and retailers nationwide, so it’s easy to find. Popular stores like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Walmart, and Costco often carry it.
- What is the best way to store Sugardale ham?
Keep unopened Sugardale ham refrigerated at 40°F or below until ready to use. Once opened, tightly wrap remaining slices in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for 3 to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze slices up to 2 months.
- How do I know my Sugardale ham is fully cooked?
All Sugardale ham varieties sold at retail are fully cooked and ready to enjoy. No additional cooking is required, just slice and serve! Check the packaging for the USDA inspection stamp indicating it is fully cooked.
- Does Sugardale ham contain gluten, MSG, or preservatives?
Sugardale ham is free of gluten, MSG, and artificial preservatives, making it a smart choice for many diets! It contains only pork, water, sea salt, sugar, and natural smoke flavoring.
- What is the best way to serve Sugardale ham?
Sugardale ham shines in sandwiches, flatbreads, wraps, salads, and appetizer platters. Its mild sweetness allows other ingredients to stand out while adding tasty flavor. Dice it or slice it thin for serving. For bolder ham flavor, try brands like Smithfield.
Most Hams Were Pre-Cooked and Easy to Heat Up
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All of the hams I tested were pre-cooked, which makes serving all that much easier. When you bake a ham, you’re just reheating it so it doesn’t pass as deli meat. Most of the hams I tried were also very easy to reheat. All you need is a deep roasting pan (a half-sheet pan will do in a pinch, but there’s a greater chance of spillage) with about 1/4 to 1/2 to an inch of water in it and an oven temperature between 275°F and 350°F. Some brands said to tent the ham with foil, which we did and found to be helpful in making sure the ham came out moist instead of dry and leathery (this is especially important for spiral-cut hams, which we will talk about in a moment).
The Benton’s ham was different; it tasted more like prosciutto than Easter ham. It comes with a pamphlet that says to heat up pieces of the leg in a skillet with a little coffee to make a simple red eye gravy and serve it with grits or a fluffy biscuit. You can also serve thin slices of the leg that have just been shaved off.
Too Much Fat Was Off-Putting
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While you do want some fat in a ham to keep it moist, two of the hams were so fatty they made me feel ill. The Goldbelly PIT SMOKED BBQ HAM had a fat cap so thick, that it made up half the ham, thus making that half inedible—sad. The Holy Grail Steak Co Mangalitsa Bone-In Smoked Ham also had lots of fat running through it (to be fair, the Mangalitsa pig is labeled the Wagyu of pork), and I got queasy after eating larger pieces of it. That said, if you liked the taste and texture of fat, both hams would satisfy that craving.
Easy Ham Recipe – How to Bake a Ham
FAQ
Is a Sugardale ham a good ham?
Where is Sugardale ham made?
Why is my Sugardale ham so slimy?
What is the best end of a ham to buy?
Are sugardale hams good?
Sugardale hams are a great option for any meal. They are easy to cook and they can be enjoyed by people of all ages. If you are looking for a delicious and versatile ham, then a Sugardale ham is a great choice. Sugardale hams are a popular choice for holiday meals, and for good reason. They’re flavorful, juicy, and easy to cook.
Which Ham is better Smithfield or sugardale?
Smithfield ham, with its robust flavor and firm texture, is an excellent choice for those seeking a traditional ham experience or dishes that demand a bold flavor profile. Sugardale ham, with its milder flavor and softer texture, is ideal for those who prefer a more delicate ham or dishes where subtlety is key.
What does sugardale ham taste like?
Sugardale ham, with its milder flavor and softer texture, is a versatile ingredient that adapts effortlessly to various culinary creations. Its delicate sweetness complements salads, sandwiches, and wraps, adding a touch of sophistication to everyday meals.
Who makes sugardale Ham?
The Sugardale ham brand is owned by the Ohio-based company Smithfield Foods. Sugardale hams are made from the hind legs of pork, and they are cured in a sugar-water solution for several weeks. The sugar-water solution is made with a mix of sugar and water, and it is injected into the ham muscles.