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.
For many people, leftover holiday ham is one of the best parts about celebrations like Easter and Christmas! It makes for easy sandwiches, casseroles, soups, and more for days after the big meal. But to enjoy those leftovers, you need to know how to store cooked ham safely. Specifically, how long can you keep cooked ham in the freezer?
In this guide, we’ll go over freezer storage times for different types of cooked ham so you can enjoy the leftovers without worry.
An Overview on Freezing Cooked Ham
Freezing cooked ham is a great way to extend its shelf life so you can enjoy the flavors of the holiday meal for weeks after. Properly freezing ham prevents bacterial growth that could otherwise spoil it Here are some tips on freezing ham
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Allow the ham to cool completely before freezing. Divide ham into smaller portions if freezing for longer than 2 months.
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Use freezer-safe wrap like aluminum foil or plastic freezer bags. Squeeze out excess air and seal tightly.
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Label packages with type and date of ham before freezing.
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Frozen ham maintains best quality for 1-3 months but can last up to 6 months in the freezer.
Now, let’s get into how long specific kinds of cooked ham will last in frozen storage.
Frozen Storage Times for Different Types of Cooked Ham
Not all ham is created equal when it comes to freezer shelf life. Here are guidelines for how long different kinds of cooked ham can be frozen:
Whole Bone-In Ham
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Fully cooked, store-wrapped whole ham: 1-2 months
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Fresh, uncooked whole ham: 3-6 months
The bone and connective tissues in a whole bone-in ham help retain moisture during freezing. Cook fresh hams within 3 months for optimal flavor and texture.
Half Bone-In Ham
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Fully cooked, store-wrapped: 1-2 months
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Fresh, uncooked: 3-4 months
Smaller cuts like half hams don’t freeze quite as well. Prioritize cooking these within 1-2 months.
Sliced, Spiral-Cut, or Shank/Butt Portion Ham
- Fully cooked, packaged slices or sections: 1-2 months
Slicing ham before freezing exposes more surface area to potential freezer burn. Cook glazed spiral hams and sliced ham portions soon after thawing for best quality.
Boneless Ham
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Fully cooked, whole or half: 1-2 months
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Sliced boneless ham: 1 month
Without the bone, boneless hams lose moisture faster during freezing. Cook boneless ham stored for max 1-2 months.
Country Ham
- Cooked: 1 month
The dry curing and smoking process of country ham makes it prone to freezer burn, so cook within 1 month of freezing for optimal texture.
Canned Ham
- Labeled “keep refrigerated:” Do not freeze
The USDA recommends never freezing canned hams that are refrigerated before opening. Freeze additional opened canned ham within 1-2 months.
Storing Thawed Ham in the Fridge
Once ham is thawed, it should be refrigerated and eaten within 3-5 days. Here are some tips for fridge storage:
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Refrigerate thawed ham in shallow airtight containers to prevent drying out.
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If glazed, reheat ham or roast at 325°F to restore glaze tackiness.
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Use ham leftover in the fridge to make sandwiches, omelets, pizza, soups, casseroles and more!
Serving Previously Frozen Ham Safely
To enjoy your defrosted ham safely, follow these guidelines:
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Thaw ham overnight in the fridge, never at room temperature.
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Cook ham to an internal temperature of 140°F before serving. Use a food thermometer.
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Reheat thawed ham thoroughly to 165°F. Bring soups, casseroles and ham slices to a boil.
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Do not refreeze thawed ham; refrigerate leftovers.
Signs Cooked Ham Has Spoiled
Watch for these signs that cooked ham has gone bad and should be thrown out:
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Mold or slimy texture
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Foul, sour odor
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Unnatural gray, green or blue discoloration
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Rancid flavor when tasted
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Large ice crystals or freezer burn
When stored properly in the freezer, cooked ham can last 1-3 months. Follow the guidelines for maximum freezer times for different kinds of ham. Refer to this handy chart to extend your holiday ham all season long!
Delicious Ways to Use Up Leftover Frozen Ham
Don’t let holiday ham go to waste! Try these tasty recipes with thawed cooked ham:
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Ham and cheese omelets or breakfast burritos
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Ham, bean and veggie soup
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Macaroni and cheese with ham
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Ham fried rice or ham and vegetable stir fry
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Ham, artichoke and spinach pizza
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Ham and swiss paninis
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Ham and potato hash with veggies
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Baked ham and cheese sandwiches
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Ham, apple and brie grilled cheese
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Ham and split pea soup with croutons
With proper freezing techniques, you can enjoy cooked bone-in or boneless ham for 1-3 months after the holidays. Use these handy freezer guidelines to maximize ham shelf life. Now you can savor ham all season long in easy weekday meals, appetizers, soups and more!
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 Does Ham Last In The Freezer?
Ham can be stored in the freezer for up to six months. If you plan on eating it within two months, we recommend storing it in the fridge.
If you are going to freeze your ham, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help lock in its natural juices and help to keep the ham from drying out.
How long can a thawed cooked ham stay in the fridge?
FAQ
How long can you freeze a cooked ham?
Can I use a ham that’s been frozen for 2 years?
How long can a spiral ham stay in the freezer?
How long can you keep a leftover ham bone in the freezer?
How long does a ham last in the freezer?
The answer, however, depends on a few factors. Ham can last in the freezer for up to six months if unopened and 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.
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.
How do you store a frozen ham?
Here are some guidelines to follow: Double Wrapping: To provide extra protection against freezer burn, consider double-wrapping your frozen ham. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, ensuring there are no air pockets. Then place it in a resealable freezer bag or airtight container.
Can you freeze a sliced ham?
Yes, but it can be hard to determine the best way to freeze it. If the ham is unopened, you can freeze it in its original packaging. When freezing leftover ham (whole or sliced), here are some tips to follow: Make sure the ham is cooled and dry (to prevent ice crystals). Wrap in plastic wrap or a freezer bag and then tightly cover with foil.