Want to know if ham doesn’t have gluten? You’ve come to the right place! Read this article to learn what to look for in gluten-free ham. Plus BRANDS THAT ARE!.
I’ve also included our family-favorite recipe for sweet baked ham. I hope you like it as much as we do!.
Ham in its natural form is gluten-free. However, sometimes ham is subject to cross contamination with gluten during processing. Some ham is made with gluten-containing ingredients like broth, spices, and glazes. (Including deli ham. ).
This is why it’s very important to read the label and check the nutritional information before you buy ham products at the store. You might be able to eat the ham without the glaze packet since many of them have gluten in them.
But if you’re sensitive to trace amounts of gluten, stick to brands that are clearly labeled gluten-free.
Costco is a favorite shopping destination for many, offering bulk sizes and discounted prices on a huge array of grocery items and household goods. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, Costco can be a bit tricky to navigate. While they offer some gluten-free products, many items lack clear gluten-free labeling. This leaves some uncertainty around the gluten status of Costco offerings.
One product especially prone to gluten confusion is Costco’s selection of fresh and cured hams. Shoppers want to know – can you safely eat Costco ham on a gluten-free diet? Let’s find out.
Why Ham Raises Gluten Questions
Fresh ham or pork leg is naturally gluten-free However, several factors can introduce gluten during processing
-
Gluten-containing seasonings – Ham flavors like brown sugar honey, maple, or certain spices may have gluten.
-
Smoke flavoring – Many contain wheat or malt barley
-
Brines – Some brine solutions contain soy sauce or wheat-based thickeners.
-
Cross-contact – Slicing on shared equipment can transfer gluten.
So purity of the fresh pork alone doesn’t guarantee gluten safety. Manufacturing practices must also be considered.
Costco’s Gluten-Free Labeled Ham
The good news is Costco does carry certified gluten-free spiral ham!
Their Kirkland Signature Spiral Sliced Ham is labeled as “Gluten-Free” directly on the packaging.
According to the product description and ingredients, it’s a 9 lb fully-cooked ham that’s hickory smoked with natural juices. There are no questionable ingredients listed that would contain gluten.
The gluten-free confirmation directly on the label provides peace of mind this Kirkland ham is a safe choice for those avoiding gluten. No need to second guess or contact the manufacturer.
This ham has all the makings of a stellar spiral-cut centerpiece for your next gluten-free holiday meal or Sunday dinner.
Uncertified Costco Hams
While their spiral ham is labeled gluten-free, most other Costco hams and pork legs lack a clear gluten-free indication on packaging.
For example, their fresh Bone-In Half Pork Leg is simply packaged with the ingredients “Pork Leg” with no mention of gluten-free status.
Costco’s Roasted Fresh Ham with Natural Juices also makes no claims of being gluten-free.
Without a certification, those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance would likely want to avoid these uncertified hams from Costco. There’s no telling if gluten-containing additives were used in the processing.
The product details don’t offer enough transparency around ingredients and manufacturing to say these hams are conclusively gluten-free. Sticking with the certified Kirkland spiral ham provides much more peace of mind.
Other Costco Meats
Along with ham, those following a gluten-free diet need to use caution with other Costco fresh meats:
Beef – Plain cuts of beef like steaks and roasts are naturally gluten-free. However, seasoned products may contain undisclosed wheat additives.
Pork – Fresh pork chops and loin cuts are safe, but again watch out for seasoned or enhanced products.
Chicken – Raw whole chickens and boneless breasts are fine, but breaded items are risky.
Seafood – Plain fish fillets are okay but breaded seafood has potential gluten exposure from breading.
The bottom line is stick to unseasoned, uncertified cuts of meat, fish and poultry from Costco. And always give the ingredients a thorough read.
Requesting Improved Labeling
To make shopping at Costco easier for the gluten-free community, consider reaching out to request they improve their labeling practices, either online or at your local store.
Specifically, ask that plain meat items be marked “gluten-free” directly on the packaging when no gluten ingredients are used. This will save a lot of frustration and uncertainty.
Costco has shown with their spiral ham that they are willing to accommodate gluten-free shoppers with transparent labels when they understand the need.
Shopping Gluten-Free at Costco
While vigilance is required, Costco can still be a worthwhile place to shop gluten-free. Some naturally gluten-free items like produce, eggs, milk, plain yogurt, oils, rice, etc. are fine. And they do label some products gluten-free like their Kirkland ham.
Just be very selective, inspect all labels carefully, and stick primarily to unprocessed foods. And don’t be afraid to make labeling requests to make the gluten-free shopping experience better for all.
-
Yes – Costco’s Kirkland spiral ham is certified gluten-free!
-
Maybe – Other basic meats without seasonings are likely safe.
-
No – Avoid hams and meats with ambiguous labels.
-
Ask – Request improved gluten-free labeling practices.
With the right precautions, Costco can be an affordable way to buy gluten-free groceries in bulk. Just shop selectively and focus on transparency.
How to Make This Recipe
- Take out the bone and fat from the ham and cut it into 5- to 6-inch pieces.
- Put 3 cups of cider vinegar, 6 cups of water, and 1 cup of sugar in a very large pot. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
- Then add the ham chunks and heat until it boils.
- Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook for about two hours, or until the ham is soft and easy to shred. (NOTE: While cooking, leave the lid on as much as possible.) Take one part vinegar and two parts water and mix them together. ).
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish or large roasting pang. With care, take the ham out of the pot and put it in the baking dish. Begin to pull it apart a bit.
- Add the dry mustard to a small bowl and mix in the last cup of brown sugar.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the ham. Cover the baking dish with foil.
- READY TO GO STOP! The ham can now be put in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it. You can make the ham up to three days ahead of time.
- Preheat the oven to 325F. Bake the ham (leave covered with foil) for 1 hour.
- Stir the ham to toss in the brown sugar sauce. Serve and enjoy!.
Use leftover ham to make this Scottish lentil soup with ham.
Store gluten-free ham in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Slice extra ham to make delicious deli-style ham sandwiches!.
Sometimes, but not always. Ham doesn’t have gluten in it by itself, but store-bought hams are sometimes made with glazes, spice packets, and seasonings that do. If you have Celiac disease or have to avoid gluten, you should always read the label and look for a gluten-free label.
Kirkland Master Carve Half Ham (Costco) and Burgers’ Smokehouse Boneless Sliced Sweet Smoked City Ham are two brands that sell cooked ham that is gluten-free. Dietz & Watson and Jones Dairy Farm also sell certified gluten-free ham.
Yes, most Smithfield hams are gluten-free and safe to eat if you have Celiac disease. You can check the Smithfield website for a full list of gluten-free hams.
Yes, gluten intolerant people can eat ham, but they should be careful to read labels before consuming. Gluten is sometimes added to ham while it is being processed, and some brands put gluten in their glazes and seasonings. To be safe, look for ham with a gluten-free label.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Delicious sweet brown sugar glaze
- Moist and flavorful
- Naturally gluten-free
- Great for holiday dinners
- Easy to make in advance
Here’s what you’ll neeed to make this gluten-free ham recipe:
- Do not use a pre-sliced ham. Instead, use a bone-in butt, shoulder, or shank cut. It also works well with the Costco Master Carve Half Ham (Applewood Smoked).
- Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar goes well with brown sugar and mustard. It adds tang and moisture and makes a DELICIOUS glaze!.
- Dry mustard powder: All you need is a little dry mustard powder to make a great ham with a savory taste.
- To dress up ham, brown sugar is the best thing ever. It gives the glaze that sticky, sweet, irresistible taste that makes baked ham so tasty.
You also might like this 3 ingredient ham glaze.
My favorite gluten free foods at Costco!
FAQ
Does Kirkland ham have gluten?
Is Costco honey baked ham gluten-free?
How do I know if my ham is gluten-free?
Is Costco Deli meat gluten-free?
Is Costco Ham gluten-free?
As long as nothing containing gluten is added to the ham during or after processing, and if this is the case, then the ham will be gluten-free. Costco Kirkland Signature Spiral Sliced Ham with Natural Juices is hickory smoked, fully cooked, pre-sliced, and it is labeled gluten-free, and so it is safe for people with celiac disease.
Is Ham gluten-free?
Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert. These top brands of ham are considered gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease. Celiac.com 12/01/2021 – Ham is a holiday tradition in many parts of the country. Ham is another one of those foods that are often naturally gluten-free, but which is not always labeled gluten-free.
Is Costco Ham healthy?
Nutrition Facts. The ingredients are ham, simple sugar and preservatives used in cooked or cured meat. Ham itself is not the healthiest meat you can eat but it does have quite a bit of protein! This ham is also gluten-free which is great for any celiac Costco shoppers.
Are Cook’s hams gluten-free?
Cook’s specifies that all ingredients used in its ham production be gluten-free, but the company still warns that its suppliers may change their formulations without telling Cook’s ahead of time. Nonetheless, this company seems pretty diligent when it comes to crafting gluten-free hams. Products include: