Some products with New England roots have been around so long we can’t imagine store shelves without them. One of the longer histories belongs to Underwood Deviled Ham, a canned-food workhorse that’s not just an everyday pantry staple, but has traveled the world in caravans, camping gear, lunchboxes, picnic baskets, tailgate totes, and, well…just about everything that transports food.
For a brand so old its canned goods were carried by Union soldiers during the Civil War, Underwood has evolved into an all-American mainstay, thanks in no small part to its star product’s versatility. Not only does deviled ham makes a tasty addition to sandwiches, appetizers, and dips in limitless combinations, but its stable shelf life makes it a reliable buy.
So just how old it it? Founded in Boston in 1822, the William Underwood Company originally manufactured packaged condiments and pickled vegetables, but in 1868 they began offering deviled ham as a canned meat spread. The famous devil logo, a nod to the “deviled” product inside and thought to be the oldest food trademark still in usefor a prepackaged food product in the country, came along in 1870. Thankfully, the devil has morphed over the years into a much jollier version (sans claws) than the original.
Delivered Daily: New England Recipes and Tried & True Kitchen Tips from the Editors of Yankee Magazine
Yankee Magazine didn’t arrive until 1935, but our archives are teeming with Underwood ads. Here’s an example from 1946. We especially like how the ad copy is giving a wink to the popular Swoppers’ Column from the issues of that era.
So just what is deviled ham? Dating back to the early 19th century, it’s a mixture of ground ham and seasonings, which is exactly what you’ll see on the Underwood label — ham (cured with water, salt, brown sugar, Sodium Nitrite) and seasoning (mustard flour, spices, turmeric). Far from evil, the word “deviled” is a culinary term that means “adding spices” — usually hot ones like cayenne pepper, Dijon mustard, or chopped chili peppers — to foods like ham, eggs, turkey, or even lobster.
Today the Underwood family of products (now part of B&G Foods, which also owns that other New England canned favorite, B&M Brown Bread in a Can) includes canned meat spreads in other flavors like chicken, roast beef, liverwurst, and corned beef, but their star player is without a doubt the deviled ham. Now 150 years later, it’s still a quick-food favorite.
Are you a fan of deviled ham? What’s your favorite way to eat it?
This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated.
FAQs
You can still buy Underwood Deviled Ham, which has been around since 1868. Like so many processed food companies, though, Underwood now belongs to a multinational food conglomerate. But throughout its independent existence, the William Underwood Company made food history.
Do they still make canned deviled ham? ›
Today the Underwood family of products (now part of B&G Foods, which also owns that other New England canned favorite, B&M Brown Bread in a Can) includes canned meat spreads in other flavors like chicken, roast beef, liverwurst, and corned beef, but their star player is without a doubt the deviled ham.
What is Underwood deviled ham made of? ›
HAM (CURED WITH WATER, SALT, BROWN SUGAR, SODIUM NITRITE) AND SEASONING (MUSTARD FLOUR, SPICES, TURMERIC).
How long does canned deviled ham last? ›
Mar 24, 2023
Shelf-stable canned hams can be stored in the pantry at room temperature for up to two years. Canned hams that are labeled "Keep Refrigerated" are not safe stored in the pantry. Refrigerate them immediately and store in the refrigerator no longer than six to nine months.
Do canned hams still exist? ›
Canned hams are fully cooked and may be served cold right from the can. Lift handle straight up, then pull back. Remove cover by bending back and forth. Leftover ham may be stored, wrapped and kept in the refrigerated in plastic can for up to 7 days.
Why is it called deviled ham? ›
According to the Oxford Companion to Food, the term means "to cook something with fiery hot spices or condiments... The term was presumably adopted because of the connection between the devil and the excessive heat in Hell...".
Does Sam's Club sell canned hams? ›
Dak Canned Ham 2 pk. - Sam's Club.
Is deviled ham good? ›
Deviled Ham sandwiches are absolutely delicious! Think, tuna salad sandwich or egg salad sandwich! Yum! You may also use deviled ham as a dip with chips or vegetables, like celery.
Can you eat canned ham right out of the can? ›
Both whole or half, cooked, vacuum-packaged hams packaged in federally inspected plants and canned hams can be eaten cold, right out of the package. However, if you want to reheat these cooked hams, set the oven no lower than 325°F and heat to an internal temperature of 140°F as measured with a food thermometer.
Can dogs eat deviled ham? ›
Ham and other salty meats and foods are very dangerous to pets. In addition to being high in fat, they are also very salty which can cause serious stomach ache or pancreatitis.
Spam contains six ingredients: a mixture of pork and ham meat, salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrite, a food preservative added to bacon, hot dogs, cured meats, sausage, and smoked fish.
Is canned ham healthy? ›
If you are looking for a lot of protein, amino acids and vitamins, canned ham can be a beneficial choice for you. Canned ham is used in tons of recipes, particularly the Spam brand in Hawaiian cuisine. Beware though, many canned ham brands can have excessive added salt and nitrates, among other additives.
What canned ham does not need to be refrigerated? ›
Dak Canned Ham:
Does not need to be refrigerated until opened. Dak ham is ready to eat.
Can you eat canned meat past the expiration date? ›
As long as the can is in good shape, the contents should be safe to eat, although the taste, texture and nutritional value of the food can diminish over time.
What was underwood deviled ham in the Civil War? ›
Deviled ham is ground ham mixed with spicy seasonings, such as chili peppers, cayenne peppers, or mustard. The William Underwood Company, founded in Boston in 1822, found success providing canned foods to the U.S. Army during the Civil War and to settlers who needed long-lasting food products for their trip west.
What was deviled ham in the jungle? ›
For example, ''deviled ham'' is not a pork product, but the intestines and other waste products from the cows all ground up and dyed a pink color to resemble ham. Workers are worked so hard that they get tired and cut off fingers or get wounds that become infected because they are not paid enough to see a doctor.
Does Sam's Club have canned ham? ›
Dak Canned Ham 2 pk. - Sam's Club.
What is the oldest food trademark in the US Patent Office? ›
Deviled ham and devil logo
Deviled eggs are one well-known example of this process. The devil logo was trademarked in 1870. The company claims that it is the oldest food trademark still in use in the United States.
