Can You Freeze Ham Slices? A Guide to Freezing Leftover Ham

The sight of a whole roast ham makes for a beautiful centerpiece at any holiday or Sunday dinner. But even after everyone has eaten, you’ll probably still have a lot of ham left over. What to do? You could eat ham for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day for a month. But instead, can you freeze ham on the bone? Yes, you can! First, make room in your freezer and use these tips to keep it organized.

Come holiday time, it’s not uncommon to be left with a bounty of leftover ham after the big meal While leftovers are great for sandwiches, casseroles, and soups, there’s only so much ham your family can eat before it goes bad So what’s the best way to preserve leftover ham and enjoy it for months to come? Freezing is the answer! Here’s a complete guide to correctly freezing cooked ham slices.

Can You Freeze Leftover Ham?

The good news is that yes, absolutely, you can freeze leftover fully cooked ham slices. Freezing is an easy, convenient way to stash ham portions for future use. Properly frozen ham will maintain its flavor and texture quality for 2-3 months.

Freezing cooked ham allows you to enjoy it long after the initial meal without worrying about waste. So go ahead and buy that big holiday ham – any leftovers can be frozen for later!

How to Freeze Cooked Ham Slices

Follow these simple steps for freezing cooked ham slices:

Allow ham to cool completely after cooking, Refrigerate first if just coming off the stove or oven
Cut ham into slices or cubes. Portion into amounts called for in recipes, around 8-12 oz.
Place ham portions in freezer bags or airtight containers, removing excess air.
Seal and label bags with contents and date. For best quality, use within 2-3 months.
Freeze ham slices flat in a single layer to prevent freezing together in a block.
Once frozen, packages can be stacked together to save freezer space.

Tips for Freezing Ham

Double wrap ham in plastic wrap and foil before bagging it to prevent freezer burn.
Interleave wax paper between slices if freezing a whole ham to keep them separate.
For convenience, dice ham into bite-sized pieces before freezing.
Add a marinade, glaze or sauce to infuse flavor before freezing.
Frozen ham may lose some moisture. Add to soups, casseroles or sandwiches to offset texture changes.

Freezing Ham Slices vs. Whole Ham

You can freeze leftover cooked ham in its entirety or as pre-portioned slices, depending on your needs:

Whole ham – Wrap and freeze the entire bone-in or boneless cooked ham if you’ll use it for large gatherings or meals. Defrost the whole ham overnight in the fridge before reheating to serve.

Slices – For smaller uses, slice the ham first and freeze portions in meal-sized amounts. Defrost only what you need as you go.

Diced – Dicing ham into bite-size pieces makes it easy to toss into recipes right from the freezer. Defrosting not needed.

Storing Frozen Ham

Properly stored frozen ham stays fresh for 2-3 months. For best quality, use frozen ham within this time frame.

Keep frozen ham well sealed in freezer bags or airtight containers. Avoid temperature fluctuations that can cause moisture loss.

Track storage times and use older ham within a few months. Label packages with the freeze date for reference.

Safe Defrosting Ham

Always thaw frozen ham in the refrigerator, allowing 24 hours for larger pieces. Cold water thawing in a sealed bag also works for ham slices.

Never defrost ham at room temperature or in hot water. This puts ham in the danger zone for bacteria.

Cook thawed ham immediately until hot; do not refreeze thawed ham. Use ham within 3-4 days for safety.

Freezer Ham Storage Chart

Follow these freezer storage guidelines for best quality frozen ham:

Ham Type	Fridge	Freezer
Fresh Raw Ham	3-5 days	6-12 months
Cooked Ham	3-4 days	2-3 months
Ham Slices	3-4 days	2-3 months
Diced Ham	3-4 days	2-3 months

Tasty Ways to Use Frozen Ham

Don’t let that frozen ham go to waste! Try it in these delicious recipes:

Ham and Pea Pasta Alfredo
Baked Monte Cristo Casserole
Split Pea Soup with Ham
Denver Omelet with Ham
Ham and Swiss Quiche
Ham and Potato Casserole

With proper freezing techniques, you can enjoy cooked holiday ham for months after the initial meal. Freezing ham slices or diced ham in handy portions makes it easy to pull out just what you need.

can you freeze ham slices

How to Freeze Cooked Ham

Remove any extra water from the ham’s surface with a paper towel.
Place the whole ham in a freezer bag. Take out as much air as you can from the bag.
Wrap the freezer bag in aluminum foil. Then, place the entire wrapped package into another freezer bag. (It will help prevent freezer burn and protect the flavor. ).
Mark the outside of the bag with a permanent marker with the date and what’s inside.

Cooked ham can last in the freezer for up to two months.

Can you refreeze ham?You can refreeze ham, but note that it may be a bit drier than if you only froze it once. If refreezing, do so within three days of thawing.

Slice or dice the ham into the size you want with a sharp knife.
Place the ham in the refrigerator to cool completely.
Separate the ham into individual portions. Put a freezer or vacuum-seal bag around each piece, press out as much air as you can, and seal the bag.
Mark the outside of the bag with a permanent marker with the date and what’s inside.

Need inspiration for using up those leftovers? Try one of these

Can you freeze sliced ham from supermarket?

FAQ

Why is sliced ham not suitable for freezing?

Freezing ham, is it a good idea? Freezing ham before or after cooking often causes changes in flavour and texture. Any ham, frozen and then defrosted, might look and feel spongy and may taste saltier. It may not be ideal for company and would be better used in cooked dishes, such as soups, pizza or casseroles.

Can you freeze ham slices from a supermarket?

Packaged lunch meats (including ham) can be stored in the refrigerator for two weeks before opening. After opening a package of lunch meats or buying sliced lunch meats at a deli, you can refrigerate them for three to five days. These meats can also be frozen for up to one to two months for the best quality.

Can you freeze honey baked ham slices?

can you freeze Honey Baked Ham®? Honey Baked Ham® and Turkey Breasts can be frozen for up to six weeks. To freeze unused portions of Ham or Turkey after opening, wrap them in aluminum foil and freeze within five days from receipt. To serve after freezing, remove from the freezer and place in refrigerator.

Can you freeze cooked ham?

Airtight in plastic is the best way to freeze cooked ham. When you’re ready, simply thaw it and use it in your favorite recipes. All cooked ham, hence the name, is cooked before you buy it and is sold either chilled or frozen. If you bring home a fresh whole ham and bake it, this counts as cooked, and you can freeze the remainder too.

How long can ham be without refrigeration and still be safe?

Most food experts recommend that ham, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that time, you should discard it.

Can deli sliced ham be frozen?

Absolutely! Deli-sliced ham can be frozen in the same way as regular ham slices. However, it is recommended to consume frozen deli-sliced ham within 1 month for the best flavor and texture. Can you freeze ham slices in their original packaging?

Can you freeze ham slices with bone?

Yes, you can freeze ham slices with bone. Just make sure to wrap them securely to prevent any exposure to air. 6. Can you freeze ham slices without wrapping them? While it is possible to freeze ham slices without wrapping them, it is not recommended. Proper wrapping ensures the ham stays fresh and protects it from freezer burn. 7.