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
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.
Does Underwood deviled ham still exist? ›
Loved Since 1868
Underwood Deviled Ham has been traveling with you on camping trips, going with you to college and being your go-to sandwich meat or snack since 1868.
Who makes canned deviled ham? ›
Underwood started producing deviled ham in 1868. In 1870 the company trademarked the devil logo used on the can, and it is now the oldest trademark for a food product still in use in the United States. The design of the devil has undergone significant change since the cans pictured above were made.
Why are they called deviled ham? ›
The term is derived from the historic depiction of the devil living in a fiery hell, much like the heat that mustard or cayenne could add to a dish. Today, we still use devil iconography to denote something as spicy.
Does canned deviled ham go bad? ›
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.
Can you eat canned ham from the can? ›
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.
Is deviled ham the same as SPAM? ›
It is not to be confused with Spam, which involves a meat mixture mostly consisting of pork shoulder, and lacks deviled ham's spicier flavor. The word "devil" appeared in relation to food in the 1700s, and the word "deviled" appeared in 1800 in the following phrase: "At half past two ate a devil'd kidney".
Why is deviled ham so good? ›
Because of its pâté-like consistency, deviled ham is easily spreadable, so it goes great on crackers or in a sandwich. And, unlike canned tuna fish or canned chicken, which usually require some added ingredients to make them palatable, you can eat deviled ham right out of the can.
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.
What is Underwood Deviled Ham made of? ›
Ham (Cured with Water, Salt, Brown Sugar, Sodium Nitrite) and Seasoning (Mustard Flour, Spices, Turmeric).
Underwood first canned deviled ham in 1868, as a mixture of ground ham with various seasonings. Deviling was done with other meat and seafood products, including turkey, chicken, tongue and lobster. "Deviling" consists of adding such spices as pepper sauce, cayenne pepper, Dijon mustard, or chopped chili peppers.
What does SPAM stand for? ›
Some say SPAM stands for Specially Processed American Meat, others believe it is a portmanteau for spiced ham, while others say it stands for Shoulder of Pork and Ham. As it relates to email, spam is not an acronym. What does the term spam refer to? Spam refers to unwanted, unsolicited junk emails.
What do Christians call deviled eggs? ›
At church functions in parts of the Southern and Midwestern United States, the terms "stuffed eggs", "salad eggs", and "dressed eggs" occur instead, to avoid reference to the word "devil". For this reason, the term "angel eggs" is also occasionally used.
Is deviled ham the same as potted meat? ›
Deviled ham and potted meat are similar in that they are both processed meat spreads, but they are not exactly the same. Deviled ham is typically seasoned with mustard and spices, while potted meat is a more generic term for various types of seasoned, canned meat spreads.
Does Sam's Club have canned ham? ›
Bristol Canned Ham Lunchmeat (12 oz., 8 pk.) - Sam's Club.
Does deviled ham taste good? ›
Deviled ham makes for a delicious savory snack or appetizer, and it is a great way to use up those ham leftovers.
What are the ingredients in canned deviled ham? ›
Ham (Cured With Water, Salt, Brown Sugar, Sodium Nitrite) and Seasoning (Mustard Flour, Spices, Turmeric).
