You wouldn’t be the only one who ate ham during the holidays or any other time. It doesn’t matter if you like yours glazed with apple cider and mustard, sliced and served with an herb crème fraîche, or a simple spiral-cut bought at the last minute. Lamb is traditionally served at Easter in many parts of the world because it is linked to the biblical story of Passover. However, ham is a more popular protein choice in the United States during the holiday and is often used instead of turkey on Thanksgiving.
Most people choose to buy either fully cooked ham or country ham. Both are cured in either a wet or dry salt brine before being smoked, and country ham is also aged. Since ham is already preserved when you buy it, it’s a cooked cut that does better in the fridge than some others. However, if you have extra slices in the fridge, you’ll want to know how long they should last.
Ham is a holiday staple, often served as the main centerpiece during Easter or Christmas dinner. But once the festivities are over, you may have a good amount of leftover cooked ham. This leads to the important question – how long does cooked ham last in the fridge?
Understanding cooked ham fridge life can help prevent food waste and keep your family safe from foodborne illness. Here I’ll cover everything you need to know about proper storage, shelf life, and signs of spoiled ham.
Overview of Cooked Ham Fridge Life
The shelf life of cooked ham depends on how it is stored
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Whole cooked hams unopened in original packaging will last 3-5 months in the fridge. Once opened, they last 3-4 weeks.
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Sliced cooked ham deli meat lasts about 2 weeks.
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Leftover slices from home-cooked ham keep 3-5 days in the fridge.
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Cooked ham kept constantly at fridge temps lasts longer than if left out at room temp.
So ham can be kept refrigerated for up to a few months if stored properly. Read on for more details.
Does Cooked Ham Go Bad?
Yes, cooked ham can go bad after a certain period of time. Signs that cooked ham has spoiled include:
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Slimy or sticky texture
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Greyish, dull color
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Mild sour or unpleasant smell
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Mold growth (discard ham immediately if moldy)
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Dryness or very hard texture
Throw out cooked ham that shows these signs of spoilage. It is unsafe to eat spoiled ham due to bacteria growth.
How To Tell If Cooked Ham Is Bad
Follow these guidelines for checking your cooked ham:
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Look for mold, slime, drying out, or unnatural colors
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Smell ham for sour, off odors before eating
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Feel the texture – should be smooth and moist, not sticky, mushy, or very firm
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When in doubt, throw it out! Don’t taste ham that looks or smells questionable.
Checking for changes in appearance, smell, and texture can help you determine if your cooked ham has gone bad before eating it. Discard ham that seems spoiled.
How Long Does an Unopened Whole Ham Last in The Fridge?
An unopened spiral cut ham or half ham will last quite a long time refrigerated. Here are the shelf lives for different types of whole cooked hams:
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Spiral cut ham: 3-5 months
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Half ham: 3-4 months
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Bone-in ham: 3-4 months
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Boneless ham: 3-5 months
To get these shelf lives, store whole cooked hams:
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In original store packaging unopened
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On a fridge shelf, not the door
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Below 40°F at all times
Once opened, the ham should be eaten within 3-5 weeks. So a whole, uncut ham stays fresh in the fridge for months past any use-by dates.
How Long Do Ham Slices Last in The Fridge?
Once you cut into the whole cooked ham, the exposed slices will have a shorter shelf life. Here’s how long sliced ham lasts refrigerated:
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Deli sliced ham: 2 weeks
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Leftover sliced ham: 3-5 days
Because preprocessing methods like smoking or curing prolong storage time, deli sliced ham lasts about 2 weeks from the sell-by date.
But leftover cooked ham slices only keep 3-5 days. Cutting into the ham exposes more surface area for bacteria to grow. So use leftover ham sooner for food safety.
How Long Does Cooked Ham Last After Opening?
According to the USDA, an opened spiral cut ham or half ham will maintain quality for 3-4 weeks in the fridge. Just make sure to rewrap the cut portion tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
This 3-4 week timeframe is for home-cooked hams. Precooked hams sold at delis would need to be eaten faster – around 5-7 days once opened.
With proper refrigeration, an opened spiral ham lasts 3-4 weeks, much longer than leftover sliced ham at just 3-5 days.
Does Cooked Ham Go Bad In The Fridge?
Yes, eventually even refrigerated cooked ham will spoil due to bacteria growth. Follow these tips to slow ham spoilage in the fridge:
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Store ham sealed in original packaging or airtight containers. Wrapping tightly in plastic wrap or foil helps prevent drying out.
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Keep fridge temp at 40°F or below. Use a refrigerator thermometer to monitor.
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Don’t store ham in the door, where temps fluctuate. Use a main fridge shelf.
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Throw out ham once it passes recommended timelines (3-5 months for unopened, 3-4 weeks opened, etc).
Proper refrigeration and discarding ham after the suggested fridge life will keep it fresh and prevent foodborne illness.
How Long Can Cooked Ham Sit Out?
At room temperature, bacteria grows rapidly on cooked ham. Ham should not sit out at room temp for more than 2 hours.
If ham is left out more than 2 hours, the bacteria could multiply quickly to unsafe levels. It’s better to be safe and discard any ham that has been in the danger zone above 40°F for over 2 hours.
Does Cooked Ham Expire?
Yes, cooked ham can expire and spoil after long enough, especially if not properly stored. Watch out for these signs your cooked ham is expired:
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Mold spots
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Strong sour or “off” smell
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Very dry texture
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Weird gummy, sticky, or slimy consistency
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Dull grey color
Throw out cooked ham that smells or looks expired! Don’t take chances with suspect meat.
How Long Can You Freeze and Thaw Ham?
Freezing cooked ham stops bacteria growth for safe long-term storage. Here’s how long ham lasts frozen:
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Whole cooked ham: 4-6 months
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Sliced ham: 2-3 months
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Leftover diced ham: 2-3 months
To freeze cooked ham:
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Cut ham into smaller portions or slices. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
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Place in freezer bags or airtight containers, removing air.
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Label with date and contents.
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Freeze at 0°F or lower.
Thaw frozen ham overnight in the fridge. Use within 3-5 days. The texture may be damper after thawing.
Freezing gives you significantly more shelf life for cooked ham. But for highest quality, try to eat refrigerated leftover ham within 3-5 days.
How Long Does Ham Last After Christmas or Easter?
Leftover ham from Christmas or Easter can last:
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1 week in the fridge if cooked at home.
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2 weeks in the fridge if an unopened cured ham from a deli.
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4-6 months in the freezer.
Be sure to carve off slices instead of recontaminating the whole ham when making leftovers plates. Wrap tightly before refrigerating.
To extend shelf life after holidays, slice up the ham and freeze portions for later use within 4-6 months. Enjoy ham throughout the year!
How to Store Leftover Cooked Ham
Storing cooked ham properly is key for food safety. Follow these leftover ham storage tips:
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Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Do not let ham sit out.
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Store in airtight containers or wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Try to minimize air exposure.
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Portion ham into smaller containers or bags for short-term fridge life of 3-5 days.
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Place ham in freezer bags or containers when freezing. Remove air, label, and freeze.
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Prevent cross-contamination by keeping ham away from raw meats.
Proper refrigeration and freezing enables you to safely store leftover ham for later meals.
Signs of Spoiled Ham
Watch for these indications that cooked ham has spoiled and should be thrown out:
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Unpleasant sour or ammonia-like smell
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Mold growing anywhere on the ham
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Extremely dry, shriveled, or hard texture
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Weird gummy or sticky texture
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Duller greyish color
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Slimy residue on the surface
If you see these signs, discard ham immediately. Do not taste ham that looks or smells spoiled. It is not worth risking food poisoning.
How To Use Leftover Ham
Don’t let leftover holiday ham go to waste! Here are delicious ways to use cooked ham:
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Ham salad – Chop and mix with mayo, onion, and celery.
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Ham fried rice – Dice ham into rice and vegetables.
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Ham and potato soup – Simmer ham with potatoes in broth.
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Ham omelette – Dice ham into an omelette for breakfast.
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Ham sandwiches – Pile sliced ham on bread, rolls, or croissants.
Keep cooked ham refrigerated and use within 3-5 days for the best taste and texture.
Can Ham Be Refrozen After Thawing?
It’s best not to refreeze cooked ham after thawing. Refrozen ham tends to become mushy in texture.
If you thawed ham in the fridge but didn’t use it, you have a few options:
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Use within 3-5 days
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Cook ham thoroughly into a casserole, soup, etc. Then you can refreeze this prepared dish.
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Portion and re-freeze ham for only 1-2 additional months. Quality still declines.
For optimal taste and texture, try to avoid refreezing previously frozen ham if possible.
How To Know If Ham Has Gone Bad After Cooking
If signs of spoilage appear after cooking your holiday ham, toss it out. Don’t rely on taste, smell or appearance alone. When in doubt, throw it out!
Discard cooked ham that has:
- Sour or rancid odor
- Greyish color
- Mushy, gummy, or slimy texture
- Widespread mold
- Very dry or shriveled appearance
Don’t risk getting sick from spoiled ham. If your cooked ham exhibits these signs, play it safe and throw it away.
Summary Of Cooked Ham Fridge Life
Here’s a quick summary of how long cooked ham lasts refrigerated:
- Unopened whole ham: 3-5 months
- Opened whole ham: 3-4 weeks
- Sliced deli ham: 2 weeks
- Leftover ham slices: 3-5 days
- Ham after freezing: 3-5 days
Follow USDA food safety guidelines, use your senses, and look for signs of spoilage. With proper storage, cooked ham can last for months in the fridge or freezer.
Now that you know how long cooked ham lasts, you can confidently store leftovers this holiday season. Follow these fridge and freezer guidelines so you can safely enjoy delicious meals for weeks to come.
Most ham will last about five days in the fridge
If you’re not sure if you can wait a few more days to make that ham sandwich or eggy ham strata, read this. The USDA says that the ham you and your family ate for Sunday brunch could last for another two to three days. According to the news source, spiral hams that have been opened and cooked at home will stay fresh in the fridge for three to five days afterward. Country ham, on the other hand, will stay fresh for up to a week. Fresh, uncured ham is basically just a big piece of pork leg that hasn’t been brined or smoked. The USDA says it will only last three to four days in the fridge.
These ham leftovers will last longer if you put them in the freezer if you’re not going to eat them in the next day or so. The USDA says that cured and fully cooked hams that have been opened and cooked can be frozen for one to two months. Country ham should be used within one month of being frozen. Fresh, uncured cooked ham has a longer freezer life of three to four months. According to the USDA, frozen ham is safe to eat for a very long time. The only things that change are the taste and texture.
When putting ham in the fridge, the most important thing is to make sure it’s sealed and out of the way of air so it stays moist. If you want your ham to last longer, put it in the fridge as soon as possible after cooking. Hams that sit out at room temperature can go bad faster.
If you are carving a whole ham, you should try to store it with as little damage as possible. This is because there is less surface area that will be exposed when it is still whole than when it is cut up, which stops moisture loss. It’s best to loosely wrap a piece of a whole ham in thin cloth, like a tea towel that’s been slightly dampened. This will protect the outside while still keeping the meat moist. For this exact reason, you can even buy ham bags, but you probably don’t need them unless you’re eating a lot of full hams.
For ham slices, youll need to get a more robust seal to protect them. Wrap your ham loosely in foil, parchment, or, better yet, layers of paper towels that can soak up extra water. Then, put your ham slices in containers that can’t be opened. Rigid plastic containers or zip-top bags work fine; just make sure that you get rid of all the air in the container before sealing it to keep the ham from going bad. This should keep them fresh for the full three to five days.
How long can a thawed cooked ham stay in the fridge?
FAQ
Can you eat cooked ham after 7 days?
Can ham last 2 weeks in the fridge?
How long does Christmas ham last in the fridge?
How long is Honey Baked Ham good in the fridge?
How long does a ham last in the fridge?
The answer to the most important question about ham storage is that it depends on the type of ham and its packaging. – An unopened cooked ham will typically last in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days. – An unopened raw ham (such as a fresh or country ham) will last for about 5 to 7 days.
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.
Should Ham be refrigerated?
If the ham is sliced or has been exposed to room temperature for a while, consume it within three to four days for optimal freshness and safety. Additionally, promptly refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking. This reduces the risk of bacterial growth, which can occur at room temperature. Importance of Refrigeration Temperature
How long do ham slices stay fresh?
Then place your ham slices in sealed containers — either rigid plastic containers or zip-top bags work fine, just make sure you get all the air out of your container when you seal it to prevent exposure. This should keep them fresh for the full three to five days.