salt, glucose, sodium phosphate, sodium ascorbate, sodium nitrite, glaze brown sugar, cane sugar, gelatin, spices, soy oil, cinnamon oleoresin, and capsicum oleoresin were used to cure the meat.
Gluten free diets are becoming increasingly popular nowadays For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, sticking to a gluten free diet is essential to avoid adverse health effects But for many others, going gluten free is a lifestyle choice aimed at overall wellness and reducing inflammation.
Whatever your reasons for avoiding gluten, sticking to a gluten free diet does require some extra care when shopping and meal prepping You need to closely inspect ingredient labels to ensure the foods you buy are 100% gluten free This includes deli meats like ham.
So is Krakus ham gluten free? The good news is yes, Krakus ham is considered gluten free! Keep reading to learn why Krakus ham is a smart gluten free choice for sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and more.
What is Krakus Ham?
Krakus is a brand of high quality Polish deli ham produced by Smithfield, one of the largest meat processors in the world. Krakus ham is made from premium pork leg meat that is slowly cured and then smoked over a mix of beechwood and oak. This imparts Krakus ham with its distinctive smoky flavor and pink color.
Krakus ham comes fully cooked and ready to enjoy straight from the package. You can purchase it pre-sliced or in a whole boneless ham. It’s sold vacuum sealed for freshness.
Krakus Ham Nutrition Facts
Krakus ham is an extra lean choice at 98% fat free Two slices (50g) contain
- 50 calories
- 11g protein
- 1g fat
- 660mg sodium
- 25mg cholesterol
As you can see, Krakus ham is a lean source of protein with relatively little fat or cholesterol compared to other deli meat options. The only downside is the high sodium content, which is typical for cured and processed meats.
What Ingredients Are in Krakus Ham?
According to the ingredient list on Krakus ham packages, the ingredients are:
- Ham
- Water
- Contains 2% or less of: glucose, salt, sodium ascorbate, sodium phosphate, sodium diacetate, sodium lactate, sodium nitrite
As you can see, the ingredients are relatively simple and no gluten containing items like wheat, barley, rye or malt are listed.
The ham itself and water make up the bulk of the product. The other additions like sodium phosphate and sodium lactate are typical curing agents used to preserve meats and add flavor.
Why Krakus Ham is Gluten Free
There are a few important reasons why Krakus ham can be considered 100% gluten free:
1. No gluten ingredients
As covered above, none of the ingredients listed contain gluten. The ham is cured and smoked using water, salt, and sodium-based curing agents that don’t contain gluten.
2. Produced in a gluten free facility
Krakus ham is processed in a dedicated gluten free facility. This avoids any risk of cross contamination with gluten containing foods.
3. Tested to verify gluten free status
According to Krakus, each batch of ham is tested to confirm it contains less than 20ppm of gluten. This is the cutoff to be considered gluten free.
4. Labeled as gluten free
Krakus ham packaging clearly states the product is “gluten free” making it a worry-free choice for those with celiac disease or on a gluten free diet.
So based on the ingredients, production methods, and labeling, Krakus ham can safely be consumed on a gluten free diet.
How to Enjoy Krakus Ham Gluten Free
Here are some ideas for how to incorporate Krakus ham into your gluten free eating plan:
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Make gluten free sandwiches with Krakus ham, lettuce, tomato, avocado or other veggies on gluten free bread or wraps.
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Add Krakus ham to omelets, frittatas, or stratas for extra protein.
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Stuff Krakus ham into potatoes or sweet potatoes for a savory gluten free meal.
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Chop or dice Krakus ham to add to salads, pasta salads, rice bowls and more.
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Serve slices of Krakus ham with cheese, nuts, and fruit for an easy gluten free charcuterie board.
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Snack on Krakus ham rolls ups made with cheese and pickles wrapped in lettuce leaves.
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Stir chopped Krakus ham into soups, chili, casseroles and other gluten free dishes.
As you can see, Krakus ham is a versatile gluten free ingredient to always have on hand. It stores well in the fridge or freezer.
Other Gluten Free Deli Meat Options
In addition to Krakus ham, other gluten free deli meat choices include:
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Turkey – Most brands of packaged sliced turkey are gluten free, just check labels. Opt for low sodium varieties.
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Chicken – Pre-sliced chicken breast is naturally gluten free.
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Roast beef – Choose brands certified gluten free to avoid additives.
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Salami – Check for gluten free varieties made without wheat.
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Pepperoni – Look for pepperoni certified gluten free to avoid wheat.
When buying any deli meat, always double check the ingredients list and labels for assurance the brand you buy is gluten free. Stick to major national brands that indicate “gluten free” on packaging when possible.
The Bottom Line
Maintaining a gluten free diet does take some extra work when shopping and cooking. But popular products like Krakus ham make it a little easier. Krakus ham is widely available, nutritious, budget-friendly and can be used in all kinds of gluten free recipes.
So next time you shop the deli counter or pass the pre-packaged ham at the grocery store, Krakus ham is a smart choice to add to your gluten free cart.
Is it Alpha-Gal Free?
This product may or may not be alpha-gal free as it lists 2 ingredients that may not comply.
Is it Low FODMAP?
There is one ingredient in this product that could be moderate or high FODMAP depending on where it comes from or how much is served. So, it may or may not be low FODMAP.
5 Gluten-Free Grains That Are Super Healthy
Is Krakus ham gluten free?
Krakus Pre-Sliced Polish Ham is America’s number one imported deli ham. Crafted with care and expertise in Poland using a traditional European recipe, this Krakus deli sliced ham features a one-of-a-kind, mouthwatering taste only experienced with true imported Polish ham. Each serving of Krakus ham is 98% fat free and gluten free with no MSG.
Is ham gluten free?
Ham naturally by itself is gluten-free. Although, many companies made their ham with gluten-containing ingredients like broth, spices, and glazes. So, you must prefer brands that indicate they are gluten-free on the packaging.
What is Krakus ham?
Vice also illustrates the middle-of-the-road nature of Krakus ham: It’s porky, but not overwhelming so; it’s salty, but not exorbitantly over-seasoned; it’s firm, but has some “give.” It can be a deli meat, it can be a formal entree when dotted with whole cloves and a smattering of brown sugar, it can be a breakfast meat — the list goes on and on.
Is Krakus pre sliced ham cured?
Krakus® Pre-Sliced Polish Deli Ham is cured naturally and made using only the finest ingredients. It is pre-sliced in two sizes for your con … View More expand_more | Be the first to Review! Cured in Water, contains 2% or less of Glucose, Salt, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Nitrite