How Long Can a Ham Stay Fresh in the Fridge Before Cooking?

Millions of homes will celebrate Easter with a delicious ham as the main entrée of their holiday meal.

How long will ham last in the freezer or refrigerator? That is a question that many people have. The answer, however, depends on a few factors. Ham can stay frozen for up to six months if it’s not opened, and it can stay fresh in the fridge for about seventy-five days. However, if you want to extend the shelf life of your ham, you can freeze it.

Still unsure about the safety of your ham? Read further for more guidelines regarding how long ham lasts.

We sell traditional smoked ham at Stoltzfus Meats that is great for holiday meals. This Easter ham is slow-cured with hickory hardwood smoke and is gluten-free and free of fillers and MSG.

You can order your Easter ham online in time for the holiday, and you can be sure that your guests will love how moist and tasty it is. It’s truly a celebration ham. Find out what makes our hams different here.

Our bone-in hams and boneless hams are also great options for holiday meals. We offer cooking instructions for both ham varieties. Our bone-in, boneless, and smoked hams are favorites among our award-winning family of quality meat products.

Cooking up a nice glazed ham is a delicious way to feed a crowd for holidays or gatherings. However, finding the right size ham ahead of time isn’t always easy. You want to make sure you buy it with enough time to cook it properly, but not so far in advance that it goes bad in the fridge before you can cook it. Knowing exactly how long you can keep a ham refrigerated before cooking is key to pulling off this tasty entree.

When determining fridge life for hams, there are a few factors to consider:

Is the Ham Whole or Sliced?

A whole, uncut ham will last longer than one that has been sliced or spiral cut. Slicing a ham exposes more surface area and introduces more opportunities for bacteria to grow.
An unopened whole ham can last in the fridge for 1-2 weeks Once opened, it’s good for about 5-7 days.
Pre-sliced ham or spiral cut ham will only last 3-5 days once opened.

So for maximum fridge life, buy your ham whole and slice it yourself as needed.

Is the Ham Cured?

Cured hams last longer than fresh hams. The curing process (like smoking or salting) helps preserve the meat.
Fresh ham (not cured) will only last 3-4 days in the fridge even if whole and unopened.
A cured whole ham can go 1-2 weeks refrigerated unopened.

So opt for a cured ham if buying more than a few days in advance.

Is the Ham Sealed Properly?

Vacuum sealing or tight plastic wrapping creates a protective barrier against bacteria growth.
Vacuum packed hams can last for 1 week unopened, or 1 week after the sell-by date.
Loosely wrapped hams may only last 3-5 days.

Make sure your ham is tightly wrapped or vacuum sealed at the store for maximum freshness.

Follow Expiration Dates

Check any use-by or sell-by dates and don’t keep a ham longer than that timeframe after opening.
The use-by date tells you when the ham should be eaten or tossed.
The sell-by date is for store use, buy it should be cooked within 1 week of that date.

So refer to any printed timestamps and don’t risk eating an expired ham.

Watch for Signs of Spoilage

Look for changes in color, texture, and smell that indicate bacteria growth.
Ham should be pink, firm, and have a mild smokey or salty smell.
If it turns grey, brown, or green, smells foul, or feels slimy, it has spoiled.

Your senses will tell you if your refrigerated ham is still safe to eat. If in doubt, throw it out.

Can You Freeze Ham?

Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of ham if you won’t be cooking it right away:

Fully cooked hams can be frozen for 1-2 months after the sell-by date.
Fresh, uncooked hams keep even longer, 3-4 months in the freezer.
Slice ham and wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil before freezing.
Thaw ham for 1-2 days in the fridge before cooking.

So consider buying your ham early and freezing it if you won’t need it for several weeks.

Proper Ham Storage

Follow these tips for storing ham in the fridge or freezer:

Place sliced ham between layers of paper towels in an airtight container. This prevents drying out.
Wrap whole hams tightly in plastic wrap or foil. This prevents surface areas from exposure to bacteria.
Portion ham into meal sizes in freezer bags or containers for easy thawing.
Label bags with the cut of meat and date frozen.
Freeze ham within 1-2 days of purchasing for best quality.

Proper storage is key to keeping your ham fresh as long as possible.

Quick Rules for Ham Longevity

For easy reference, here are some quick guidelines for maximizing the shelf life of your ham:

Whole & Unopened: 1-2 weeks
Vacuum Packed: 1 week unopened
Cured: 1 week opened
Sliced: 3-5 days
Fresh: 3-4 days
Frozen: 1-4 months

Follow these tips and there’s no need to worry about your ham going bad before you get a chance to enjoy it. With proper refrigeration or freezing methods, you can buy your ham well in advance of holidays or events and still have perfect, juicy ham ready when it’s time to cook.

how long can a ham be refrigerated before cooking

How Should I Store Cooked Ham?

You can keep cooked ham in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to two months. Make sure to store it in a container that won’t let air in or tightly wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This will help to prevent the ham from drying out.

Does Bone-In Ham Last Longer Than Boneless Ham?

The answer to this question is no. Both types of ham will last the same amount of time in the fridge or freezer.

A boneless ham is easily sliced, which is nice when serving guests or during family gatherings. A bone-in ham, however, is somewhat of a “gift that keeps giving. ” The bone can be used for making soups and stews for future meals.

(Use any leftovers from your Stoltzfus Old-Fashioned ham to make Chicken Cordon Bleu!)

How long can a thawed cooked ham stay in the fridge?

FAQ

How long can you leave an uncooked ham in the fridge?

Food	Type	Refrigerator [40°F (4°C) or below]
Ham	Fresh, uncured, uncooked	3 to 5 days
	Fresh, uncured, cooked	3 to 4 days
	Cured, cook-before-eating, uncooked	5 to 7 days or “use by” date
	Fully-cooked, vacuum-sealed at plant, unopened	2 weeks or “use by” date

How far ahead can you buy a ham?

You can store perishable ham safely according to these time limits: Uncooked ham, fully cooked spiral-sliced or unsliced ham, 3 to 5 days; ham after home cooking, 3 to 4 days. For more storage times, go to AskKaren.gov and type in “ham storage.”

How long can a spiral ham stay in the refrigerator before cooking?

Spiral-cut hams and leftovers from consumer-cooked hams may be stored in the refrigerator three to five days or frozen one to two months. Keep your refrigerator at 40 °F or less and your freezer at or near 0 °F.

Can I eat ham that’s been in the fridge for a week?

Whole cured hams last in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, fresh ham only lasts a few days in the refrigerator, about three or four once you’ve cooked it. It doesn’t matter if the ham is whole or sliced; the lack of preservatives allows it to spoil more quickly.

Should Ham be refrigerated?

Ham should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 40°F or below. The colder the temperature, the longer the ham will last. Freezing ham can also extend its shelf life, but it may affect the texture and flavor of the meat. When storing ham in the fridge, it’s important to follow proper guidelines to ensure it stays fresh and safe to eat.

Is ham gluten free?

Ham naturally by itself is gluten-free. Although, many companies made their ham with gluten-containing ingredients like broth, spices, and glazes. So, you must prefer brands that indicate they are gluten-free on the packaging.

How long can a ham last in the fridge?

To extend the shelf life of the ham, you can also freeze it for up to 6 months. Sliced ham can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. If the ham is opened, it should be consumed within 3-5 days. To keep the ham fresh for a longer period, you can also freeze it for up to 2 months. Cooked ham can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days.

How long can a dry cured ham be refrigerated?

Dry-cured hams like Prosciutto, Parma, and Serrano offer a unique taste and texture, and their storage is slightly different from other types of ham: Prosciutto, Parma or Serrano Ham, Dry Italian or Spanish Type, Cut: These hams can be refrigerated for two to three months. In the freezer, they maintain their quality for up to one month.