Honey Baked Ham is known for their signature hams, not prime rib. As a leading ham retailer and wholesaler, they specialize in slow-cooked, hardwood smoked hams for holidays and special occasions. While delicious, their hams are very different from prime rib.
What is Honey Baked Ham Most Known For?
Honey Baked Ham has over 450 retail stores and franchises across the United States. They are best known for their spiral-sliced, honey-glazed hams that are smoked over a blend of hickory, oak, and pecan woods. Their signature hams are injected with a sweet and savory glaze and slow-cooked for hours until tender and juicy.
Some of Honey Baked Ham’s most popular hams include:
- Classic Honey Baked Ham: Their original, signature ham glazed with honey, brown sugar, and other natural flavors.
- Brown Sugar Spiral Ham: Smoked ham coated in an sweet brown sugar glaze.
- Applewood Smoked Ham: Hickory smoked ham with a hint of applewood flavor.
- Honey Cured Spiral Ham: A honey cured, hickory smoked ham with a caramelized glaze.
- Boneless Hams: Fully cooked, boneless hams available in various sizes.
In addition to hams, Honey Baked Ham also offers deli meats, cheeses, side dishes, catering platters, and heat-and-serve meals around the holidays. However, they do not offer prime rib.
What is Prime Rib?
Prime rib is a premium cut of beef from the rib section, typically roasted and served on the bone. It is known for its rich marbling, tender texture, and full beefy flavor. Prime rib roasts are most often prepared for holidays and special occasions.
The main characteristics of prime rib include:
- Cut from the rib section, containing ribs 6 through 12.
- Contains high marbling content, making it very flavorful and tender.
- Roasted low and slow, resulting in a crispy brown exterior and juicy, tender interior.
- Served on the bone, adding flavor during cooking.
- Available in different thickness cuts like the standing rib roast or ribeye roast.
Prime rib can be seasoned simply with just salt and pepper, or more elaborately with spices and herbs. It is typically served with au jus sauce and horseradish cream sauce on the side.
Key Differences Between Ham and Prime Rib
While both ham and prime rib make impressive centerpieces for holiday meals, there are some major differences between these two proteins:
| Ham | Prime Rib |
|---|---|
| Made from the hind leg of a pig | Made from the rib section of beef cattle |
| Cured and smoked over extended time | Roasted in the oven for a few hours |
| Lower in fat than prime rib | Very high fat marbling |
| Cooked to an internal temp of 140°F | Cooked to an internal temp of 120-130°F for medium-rare |
| Often glazed or coated with sweet flavors | Seasoned with salt, pepper, other savory flavors |
| Sliced to serve | Carved at the table |
As you can see, ham and prime rib vary greatly in terms of the cut of meat, preparation method, cooking technique, and flavor profiles. Honey Baked Ham specializes in cured and smoked ham products rather than prime cuts of beef.
Does Honey Baked Ham Offer Prime Rib?
No, Honey Baked Ham does not offer prime rib on their menu or in stores. As a ham-focused brand, they stick to pork products rather than beef. You will not find prime rib roasts for sale at Honey Baked Ham orserved at their cafes.
However, during the holidays, Honey Baked Ham does offer a limited selection of side dishes and desserts like:
- Green Bean Casserole
- Sweet Potato Souffle
- Corn Pudding
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Beef Tenderloin Tips
- Apple, Cherry, or Pumpkin Pie
The beef tenderloin tips are the closest they come to prime rib. But these are small pieces of filet mignon, a very lean, tender cut of beef. Honey Baked Ham does not sell anything resembling a large, bone-in prime rib roast.
Where to Buy Prime Rib
Since Honey Baked Ham does not carry prime rib, where can you buy it instead? Here are some of the best places to purchase prime rib roasts:
- Butcher Shops or Meat Markets: Independent butcher shops often carry high quality prime ribs from premium beef. They can also custom cut any size roast.
- Membership Clubs: Warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club regularly stock fresh prime rib roasts, often at good prices.
- Grocery Store Meat Department: Many grocery stores sell pre-seasoned prime rib roasts that just need final cooking. Check for availability around the holidays.
- Online Mail Order: Online butchers and specialty meat companies like Omaha Steaks ship fresh prime ribs overnight.
- Restaurants: Some restaurants may sell uncooked prime rib roasts for holiday meals when ordered in advance.
Look for prime grade beef with ample marbling and a thick ribbon of fat along the outer edge. Plan on approximately 1 pound of bone-in prime rib per person. The roast can be seasoned and refrigerated for a few days before cooking.
How to Cook Prime Rib
Cooking prime rib is easier than you think. Follow these simple steps for perfect prime rib every time:
- Select a 4-7 lb prime rib roast, ideally with some bones attached.
- Remove roast from packaging and pat dry. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Place roast fat side up on a rack in a roasting pan.
- Generously season all over with salt, pepper, and other dried herbs/spices if desired.
- Sear roast on all sides until a nice brown crust forms, about 10-15 minutes total.
- Once seared, place back on rack in the preheated oven. Reduce temp to 325°F.
- Cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 120-130°F for medium-rare, about 15-20 min per pound.
- Once cooked, tent foil over it and let rest for 20-30 mins before slicing and serving.
Be sure to slice across the grain for tender pieces of prime rib. Serve with au jus, horseradish sauce, and side dishes like Yorkshire puddings or loaded baked potatoes.
Where to Order Prime Rib from a Restaurant or Caterer
Rather than preparing prime rib yourself, you can order it fully cooked and ready to serve from a restaurant, caterer, or premium grocery store. Here are some good options for ordering prime rib meals and platters:
- Steakhouses like Ruth’s Chris, Outback Steakhouse, or Texas Roadhouse
- Upscale restaurant chains like The Capital Grille, Fleming’s, or Sullivan’s Steakhouse
- Independent fine dining restaurants, check menus
- Catering companies that offer prime rib dinners for events
- Gourmet grocery stores with prepared food sections like Whole Foods
- Meal delivery services such as Omaha Steaks
Call ahead to place an order and schedule a convenient pickup time. Prime rib travels well and can be kept warm until dinner. Offerings range from individual prime rib entrees to whole roasted prime ribs serving 10+ people.
Conclusion
Honey Baked Ham is synonymous with premium hams, not prime rib roasts. Their stores and menus feature a variety of glazed, smoked, and spiral-cut hams, along with sides and desserts. However, they do not prepare or sell prime rib. To enjoy prime rib for your holiday meals or special events, purchase it from a butcher, club store, or restaurant instead. With some simple seasoning and roasting, you can make delicious prime rib at home. Or order it conveniently cooked from a steakhouse, caterer, or gourmet grocery for easy holiday entertaining.