Country ham is one of those old Tennessee traditions that takes real patience, not shortcuts. Instead of rushing the process, these markets pack their hams in salt, smoke them low and slow, and let them age for months before a single slice gets cut.
That old-school method gives country ham its salty, smoky, savory flavor that grocery store meat just cannot match. If you love authentic Southern flavor or want to bring home a whole ham for the holidays, these seven spots are worth the map pin.
Here are seven Tennessee meat markets still doing it the slow way.
1. Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams & Bacon, Madisonville, TN
Ask a serious barbecue cook about Tennessee ham and Benton’s usually comes up fast. Sitting right on US-411 in Madisonville, this shop has built a big reputation from a pretty humble roadside spot.
The slow method here is the whole point. Hams get salt packed, smoked at a low 75 to 90 degrees for about three days, then cured anywhere from 14 to 30 months before they are ready.
That long aging is what gives the meat its salty, smoky, savory punch. Center-cut country ham slices are a popular pick, and the crew will slice and package your order so it travels well.
Beyond ham, the shop is known for bacon, sausage, and other smoked meats. It is set up for a quick visit, with in-store pickup and a paid parking lot on site.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM, and the shop is closed Sundays. Mornings tend to be the busiest stretch, so plan around that if you want an easy stop.
2. The Hamery, Murfreesboro, TN
Biscuits and ham go together in the South, and The Hamery leans into that combo hard. Located on West Lytle Street in Murfreesboro, this ham shop pairs authentic Southern cured hams with angel biscuits and plenty more.
Country ham is the headliner, but the case fills out with smoked sausage, bacon, ham hocks, and seasoned ham slices. You can also grab jams and honey to round out a gift box.
One handy touch is the ready-to-eat lineup. Ham and biscuits and sausage biscuits come pre-cooked in several sizes, so you just thaw and eat.
The shop is flexible on how you get your order, with in-store shopping, in-store pickup, and delivery options including no-contact. Parking is easy too, with a free lot and free street spots nearby.
Hours are Monday through Friday 9 AM to 4 PM, plus Saturday mornings from 8 AM to noon. It closes Sundays, so aim for a weekday or an early Saturday run.
3. Bigham’s Ham, Cornersville, TN
Some folks drive across several states just to load up here, and that tells you something. Bigham’s Ham sits out on John Barnes Road in Cornersville, where the focus is squarely on traditional dry-cured country ham.
This is a country ham processing facility, not a fancy storefront, and the method is old-fashioned on purpose. The hams move through several carefully controlled stages to build their distinct flavor, texture, and shelf stability.
You can buy them whole, which is popular around Christmas, or have them sliced and packaged on the spot. The staff will cut both a whole ham and slices to order if that suits you better.
Delivery is available too, so you do not have to make the trip in person every time. For a plain, no-frills country ham spot, the product does the talking.
Hours run Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 4 PM, with weekends closed. Come during the week and plan a quick in-and-out visit.
4. Clifty Farm Country Meats, Paris, TN
Four generations of ham-making is a serious streak, and Clifty Farm has kept it going in Paris, Tennessee. The operation specializes in traditional country ham and Southern cured meats made with time-honored curing methods.
The product list is deep for anyone who loves this stuff. You can get whole bone-in country hams, center slices, biscuit slices, boneless slices, hock slices, seasoning pieces, and end cuts.
They do not stop at ham either. The lineup also includes pulled pork BBQ, summer sausage, pork skins, and peppered pork side meat for everyday cooking.
Fair warning for newcomers: a true salt-cured country ham is genuinely salty and bold, so it is an acquired taste for some. Southerners raised on it tend to know exactly what they are signing up for.
You can find Clifty Farm at retailers like Walmart, Publix, and Kroger across the Southeast, or order select items online. The Paris location runs Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 4 PM, and offers delivery.
5. Tripp Country Hams, Brownsville, TN
Out in West Tennessee, Brownsville quietly holds one of the region’s ham favorites. Tripp Country Hams on South Washington Avenue is a dedicated country ham market and butcher that regulars plan whole trips around.
House-cured pork is the reason people keep coming back. The shop is known for its ham, ham hocks, and bacon, with plenty of loyal customers making the drive several times a year to stock up.
It has earned a spot in the conversation as some of the best ham in West Tennessee, which is no small claim in a state this serious about it. The reputation is built on consistency rather than flash.
Service is straightforward, with in-store pickup and no delivery, so this is a stop you make in person. It is set up for a quick visit, so you can grab your order and get back on the road.
Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 3 PM, with weekends closed. Time your trip for a weekday afternoon and you should be set.
6. Greer’s Tennessee Country Hams, Franklin, TN
Part ham shop, part Southern kitchen, Greer’s brings a little more to the table than most on this list. Set on Southall Road in Franklin, it serves down-home staples alongside its cured meats.
Country ham is the star, and it earns strong words across Middle Tennessee. Folks who have eaten cured ham their whole lives put Greer’s near the top, calling it some of the best they have had in years.
The menu stretches into Southern comfort territory too, with dishes like fried chicken livers rounding out the country ham. Local meat and produce show up in the quality of what they serve.
Bacon is another highlight here, so it is easy to build a full breakfast haul in one stop. The place is set up for a quick visit with onsite service and no delivery.
One thing to note: an appointment is required, so call ahead before you go. Hours vary by day, with early morning openings during the week, so confirm your timing when you book.
7. Silverstone Hams, Mountain City, TN
Way up in the northeast corner of the state, this one takes a little planning to catch. Silverstone Hams sits on South Church Street in Mountain City, a small artisan ham shop that keeps things simple.
As a small local business, the focus stays on doing one thing well: quality country ham. It has built a loyal following among people who consider it some of the best around.
The catch is the schedule, and it is a big one. The shop is only open on Saturdays, from 7 AM to 2 PM, and closed the rest of the week.
That narrow window makes it feel like a special stop rather than an everyday errand. If you are road-tripping through the high country near the North Carolina and Virginia lines, plan your route for a Saturday morning.
Service is in-store pickup only, with no delivery, so you will need to show up in person. Get there early in that window to be safe.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.