Even those who aren’t particularly interested in food know that prosciutto is something special. Without a doubt, this is one of the most famous Italian cured meats in the world. For hundreds of years, people have loved it as a snack, in deli sandwiches, and on pizza.
We’ve decided to compile answers to the most Googled questions about prosciutto in one place. Find out what it is, the different kinds, and how to store it so it lasts a long time. You won’t have to go too far to find the answers you were (probably) looking for.
Yummy Bazaar is still committed to providing gourmet food to anyone who wants it. They keep a carefully chosen collection of Italian cured meats, including well-known brands like soppressata, guanciale, and, of course, prosciutto. Give it a try if you want to confirm it’s really that good.
Prosciutto is a traditional Italian meat product made from the pigs hind leg. In Italian, “prosciutto” doesn’t refer to a specific product; it just means “ham,” and people there use it a lot.
However, the rest of the world is more strict with the term. The product most people refer to as prosciutto is, in reality, Prosciutto Crudo, a dry-cured ham. But there’s another type of prosciutto popular in Italy, called Prosciutto Cotto, a cooked ham.
Non-Italian manufacturers often used to refer to prosciutto Cotto as Italian ham instead of prosciutto Cotto. That being said, things have begun to change as more and more people learn about the term.
Still, if you ask the average person what they think of when they hear the word “prosciutto,” they would say “prosciutto crudo.”
With its salty, savory flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, prosciutto is a delicious addition to charcuterie boards sandwiches salads and more. But since it’s an uncooked, cured meat, it’s understandable that you may wonder — does prosciutto ham go bad? How can you tell if it’s still safe to eat?
The good news is that prosciutto has a relatively long shelf life compared to other meats. But it does eventually go bad if not stored properly. Here’s what you need to know about how long prosciutto lasts, signs of spoiled prosciutto, and the best storage methods for maximizing its shelf life.
Overview of Prosciutto
Prosciutto is an Italian dry-cured ham that is usually sliced very thin and served uncooked. True prosciutto comes from either Parma or San Daniele in Italy where the distinct curing process was developed.
The curing process is key to prosciutto’s flavor and preservation. Pork legs are covered in sea salt for about 1-2 months, which draws out moisture and concentrates the porky, savory taste. Sometimes spices and herbs are added too.
After salting, prosciutto hangs to air dry for at least 9 months up to 2+ years This long dry aging period allows enzymes to break down the meat and fat, resulting in prosciutto’s characteristic soft texture
Does Prosciutto Need to be Refrigerated?
Prosciutto is dry cured, not cooked. So unlike cooked ham, it does need refrigeration to prevent bacteria growth and spoilage. Optimal storage temperature is about 36-40°F.
At room temperature, prosciutto will only last 1-2 hours before the risk of bacteria becomes dangerous. So keep prosciutto well chilled at all times for safety and to extend its shelf life.
How Long Does Prosciutto Last in the Fridge?
When properly stored in the refrigerator, an unopened package of prosciutto will typically stay fresh for:
- Whole prosciutto leg: 3-4 months or more
- Sliced prosciutto: 2-3 months
Once opened, the clock starts ticking faster. Consume opened packages of sliced prosciutto within:
- Vacuum sealed package: 1 month
- Original deli packaging: 2 weeks
- Repackaged into new wrap: 1 week
For optimal freshness and food safety, use sliced prosciutto within a few days whenever possible.
Signs That Prosciutto Has Gone Bad
Watch for these signs that indicate your prosciutto has spoiled and should be discarded:
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Sliminess – Fresh prosciutto should feel dry to the touch. Any sticky, tacky or slimy texture means spoilage.
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Off odor – Prosciutto naturally has a savory, meaty smell. If it smells sour or ammonia-like, it’s gone bad.
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Off color – Look for odd gray, green or blue hues. Normal color is rosy pink to deep red.
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Mold – Dry cured meats are prone to mold. Toss prosciutto at first sight of fuzzy green or white spots.
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Drying & hardening – Extreme dryness and overly firm texture also mean it’s past its prime.
When in doubt, remember the old adage “When in doubt, throw it out!” Don’t risk getting sick from eating spoiled deli meat.
How To Store Prosciutto to Maximize Freshness
Follow these guidelines for storing prosciutto correctly:
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Keep refrigerated at all times at 36-40°F. Do not leave sitting out at room temperature longer than 1-2 hours.
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Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, butcher paper or foil to prevent drying out. Prosciutto’s low moisture content makes it prone to drying.
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For sliced prosciutto, change the wrapping and repackage into a new airtight wrap or container within 3-5 days of opening the original. This protects it from contamination and keeps it from drying out.
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Store in the back of the fridge away from high traffic areas. The constant opening of the refrigerator door exposes it to warm air.
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Avoid freezing prosciutto if possible. The texture suffers when frozen and thawed. But frozen prosciutto is still safe to eat; it just won’t be as palatable.
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If you do freeze prosciutto, limit time to 2-3 months at 0°F. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Can Prosciutto Be Frozen?
Freezing is not ideal for prosciutto. The low moisture and high salt content mean it won’t freeze well. The texture will become dry and leathery once thawed.
However, freezing is still safe if done properly by:
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Slicing prosciutto before freezing for easy separation when thawed.
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Wrapping tightly in plastic wrap with no air pockets. This prevents freezer burn.
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Placing wrapped prosciutto in an airtight freezer container or bag.
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Labeling with the date and “Use within 2-3 months” since the quality will decline with longer freezing.
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Thawing in the refrigerator, never at room temperature.
Again, freezing should only be done in a pinch. Try to buy only what you’ll consume within a few weeks for better flavor and texture.
Can You Eat Prosciutto After the Expiration Date?
It’s not recommended to eat prosciutto past the expiration or sell-by date on the package. These dates account for the curing process and conditions encountered during shipping and storage.
Prosciutto doesn’t necessarily spoil right on the expiration date. You might get a few days or a week past it before any off odors or textures develop. But there’s no way to know just how long it may last.
For best quality and food safety, use prosciutto by the date on the package. Always inspect cured meats closely and rely on your senses if you do eat any past its date.
How To Use Up Prosciutto Before It Spoils
To avoid waste and enjoy prosciutto at its freshest, use these tricks to use it up more quickly:
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Add it to sandwiches and panini. A few slices of prosciutto really elevate basic grilled cheese.
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Wrap roasted asparagus spears or other veggies in thin slices.
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Bake it into quick breads, pizza dough, frittatas or quiches.
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Chop and add to pasta dishes, risottos or soups.
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Mix diced prosciutto into stuffings, meatloaf or meatballs.
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Layer very thinly over flatbread or pizza and bake quickly.
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Roll up with slices of cheese or fresh figs for easy appetizers.
With a little creativity, you can take prosciutto from charcuterie board to main course and use up opened packages while it’s at its prime.
The Bottom Line
When stored properly and consumed by its use-by date, prosciutto can stay fresh in the refrigerator for 2-4 months. Getting even longer storage time unopened. Monitor for signs of spoilage and aim to use opened prosciutto within a week.
Avoid freezing when possible, and rely on your nose and common sense when deciding whether prosciutto is still safe to eat after its expiration date. With proper storage and handling, you can enjoy every last savory slice of prosciutto before it goes bad.
What Cheeses Go With Prosciutto?
Because prosciutto cotto has a mild flavor, it goes well with a wide range of cheeses, from soft and mild to hard and strongly flavored. However, the best cheeses to pair it with are semi-hard cheeses with strong flavors, like Gorgonzola, Scamorza, and Provolone from Italy or Gouda, Gruyere, Roquefort, or Emmentaler from other countries. Salty blue cheeses work best when balanced with sweeter ingredients like fruit and honey.
Prosciutto Crudo goes best with soft cheeses with mellow flavors. Since it’s plenty salty by itself, pairing it with blue cheeses, gruyere, or cheddar can be too much. Some of the best cheeses to pair with prosciutto crudo are mozzarella, stracciatella, burrata, and ricotta. However, a milder prosciutto crudo can also go well with a moderately salty cheese like provolone.
How Long Does Prosciutto Last?
Pro tip: pay attention to the prosciutto packaging. Different manufacturing methods mean different shelf lives for prosciutto.
Generally, prosciutto can last up to a year when properly stored.
Sliced prosciutto has a shorter life than an uncut chunk of meat. Since prosciutto is sold in slices far more often than solid chunks, we’ll focus on sliced prosciutto.
If the vacuum-sealed package isn’t opened, prosciutto slices can last up to 4 months (check the packaging and add about a week to the best-by date). Once the package is opened, they can only last about 3–5 days. Keeping prosciutto in a refrigerator or a freezer will prolong its shelf life.
How can I tell if my meat’s gone bad?
FAQ
How do I know if Prosciutto has gone bad?
How long does Prosciutto ham last in fridge?
Is it safe to eat out of date Parma ham?
Does packaged Prosciutto need to be refrigerated?
How long does prosciutto ham last?
Ham usually takes between 90 and 120 days before expiration. Prosciutto can be eaten in its raw state, or you can add risotto or pasta. Ham should be added at the last stage to prevent denaturing its flavor. You can keep the prosciutto ham frozen or refrigerated, but ensure they are consumed before the expiry date.
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 prosciutto ham be refrigerated?
If your prosciutto ham is unopened, you can keep it in the fridge for months. Remember, search for pink meat clean and fat streaks, which are evenly distributed across the ham slices and white in color. Do not purchase products that are moist, or have faded coloring. Gas vs Electric Smoker – Which One Is the Best?
Does prosciutto go bad?
Prosciutto can last a long time if it’s properly stored. However, you must know how to inspect it to ensure it’s still safe to eat. Keep reading to learn more about how long different forms of prosciutto can be stored without going bad. All Prosciutto Goes Bad; eventually, it will dry out to the point where it is unedible.