Best sliced cooked ham, according to chefs
Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Mara Nocilla, Arcangelo Dandini, Grace Kelly and Justine Sterling. Recommendations come from gamberorosso.it, seriouseats.com and sporked.com.
Meats · The ranking
- 1Top pick
Rovagnati Gran Biscotto Prosciutto Cotto
Chosen by- Mara NocillaJournalist, Gambero Rosso · editor, Grandi Salumi guide
- Arcangelo DandiniL’Arcangelo, Rome
#1 of 38 packaged supermarket cotti in Gambero Rosso’s 2024 blind test: an alta qualità ham from fresh Italian legs, massaged up to 72 hours and steamed 16 hours, branded on the rind. Large, defect-free slices with sweet, precise fat; clean cooked-pork, vegetal and “biscuity” notes, balanced and not too salty, with a soft, moist, melting texture (translated).
- 2
Les Trois Petits Cochons (Three Little Pigs) Jambon de Paris
Chosen by- Grace KellySenior editor, Serious Eats
Serious Eats’ best pre-sliced ham for sandwiches after testing 14 hams (2026): a lightly spiced whole-muscle ham, slow-cooked sous vide, that lets the pork flavor shine. “Instead of being rubbery like a lot of deli ham, these pale pink rounds are delicate and soft” — made for a jambon-beurre or a board with Cantal and grainy mustard. Pricey: about $10 for 6 ounces. No added nitrites.
- 3
True Story Uncured Wildflower Honey & Maple Ham
Chosen by- Justine SterlingEditor, Sporkedsporked.com ↗
Sporked’s honey-ham winner, “head and shoulders above the other honey ham brands we tried”: it “tastes like it was sliced off a real honey baked ham,” with a caramelized-honey rind and juicy, tender meat — good enough for a board next to fancy prosciutto. Humanely raised pork, no antibiotics.
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Questions, answered
- What is the best sliced cooked ham, according to chefs?
- MyTastr’s top pick is Rovagnati Gran Biscotto Prosciutto Cotto, chosen by Mara Nocilla (Gambero Rosso); Arcangelo Dandini (L’Arcangelo, Rome). #1 of 38 packaged supermarket cotti in Gambero Rosso’s 2024 blind test: an alta qualità ham from fresh Italian legs, massaged up to 72 hours and steamed 16 hours, branded on the rind. Large, defect-free slices with sweet, precise fat; clean cooked-pork, vegetal and “biscuity” notes, balanced and not too salty, with a soft, moist, melting texture (translated). Source: gamberorosso.it ↗
- What are the other top picks for sliced cooked ham?
- No. 2 is Les Trois Petits Cochons (Three Little Pigs) Jambon de Paris, chosen by Grace Kelly (Serious Eats). No. 3 is True Story Uncured Wildflower Honey & Maple Ham, chosen by Justine Sterling (Sporked). Each card above links to the original source.
- How does MyTastr choose these picks?
- Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.