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…