Country ham is considered salty because of the traditional dry-curing process. Salt is used to draw moisture out of the meat, which preserves it and creates the flavor and texture.

If you prefer a milder taste, you can soak slices of ham for 15–20 minutes before cooking, or soak a whole ham 12–36 hours before cooking (each whole ham comes with detailed cooking instructions).

Whole ham

A whole, uncut country ham is dry-cured and shelf stable. You can store it in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place.

Once the ham is cut, its protective exterior is breached, and the interior meat is exposed. At that point, it must be stored in the refrigerator.

Wrap cut portions tightly or place them in an airtight container. For longer storage, freezing is also an option.

Packaged sliced ham

Our sliced country ham is vacuum-sealed, which gives it an extended shelf life. Before opening, it will keep until the “Best By” date printed on the package.

Once opened, the package is no longer sealed, so the ham must be refrigerated. For best flavor, use within a few days after opening.

Whole Ham:

Each whole ham order comes with detailed cooking instructions specific to that ham, including preparation, soaking, and baking times.

Sliced Ham (Prime Cut packages):

Our favorite method is pan-frying: just a couple of minutes on each side until heated through. 

Country ham slices can also be baked or cooked into your favorite recipes!

That shimmer is called iridescence, and it’s completely normal. It happens when light reflects off the meat’s muscle fibers, fat layers, and curing pigments, creating a rainbow-like sheen—especially on thin slices. It’s safe to eat and doesn’t affect flavor.

When to check for spoilage:

• Foul smell
• Slimy or sticky texture
• Actual mold (fuzzy green, black, or white spots—not the shimmer)

If your ham looks shiny but smells and feels fine, enjoy!

Those small white specks you’re seeing are completely normal in properly cured and aged country ham. They are not mold, they are tiny salt or protein crystals that naturally form during the curing and aging process. In fact, they’re actually a sign that the ham was cured and aged correctly.

As the ham dries and matures, natural salts and amino acids can crystallize, especially in well-developed country ham. You’ll often see this in traditionally cured meats and aged cheeses as well.

They’re perfectly safe and fully edible. We take great care in how our hams are cured and aged, so seeing those small crystals is a reflection of that traditional process.

Nitrates and nitrites are essential to traditional country ham curing for several important reasons.

Firstly, These compounds prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that causes botulism, a serious and potentially fatal foodborne illness. In salt-cured meats that age for months, this protection is critical.

Much of the concern regarding nitrates and nitrites stems from studies showing that excessive consumption of processed meats may be linked to health concerns. However, it's worth noting that many vegetables—like celery, spinach, and beets—naturally contain even higher levels of nitrates than cured meats. Your body also produces nitrates naturally.

Suncrest uses only the amount necessary to ensure your safety while creating the authentic flavor and color that defines genuine country ham. The USDA strictly regulates these levels, and we stay well within those limits.

All orders are processed within 2–5 business days of receipt. Orders are not processed or shipped from Friday, 12 pm EST through Sunday, or holidays.

If we are experiencing a high volume of orders, shipments may be delayed by a few days. If your shipment experiences a significant delay, we will contact you via email or phone.

Please refer to our Return/Refund Policy  page

Suncrest Farms products are currently available at these locations:

Food City, Giant, Walmart, Food Lion, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly, Stars, Weis, Ingles, Biscuitville

Available in these states:

Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington

Availability may vary by location. Please check with your local store to see if they carry Suncrest Farms products.