Maximizing Leftovers: How Long Will a HoneyBaked Ham Last in the Fridge?

Few dishes elicit as much craving and excitement as a glazed, spiral-cut HoneyBaked ham. This iconic centerpiece adorns holiday tables across the South, its sweet aroma and juicy meat bringing joy to family gatherings

But the bliss doesn’t have to end once the festivities are over. With proper storage, you can extend the life of your HoneyBaked ham to enjoy delicious leftovers for days after.

Knowing exactly how long a HoneyBaked ham lasts in the fridge helps you reduce waste and make the most of your investment. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to maximize leftovers so you can keep feasting on HoneyBaked’s signature flavor.

How Is HoneyBaked Ham Sold?

HoneyBaked Ham comes fully cooked, so it just needs to be heated or served cold right out of the fridge. Hams are available bone-in or boneless, whole or half. The hams are spiral sliced, making serving a cinch.

For the longest shelf life, choose an unopened, vacuum-sealed whole ham. Sliced hams or halves won’t keep as long since they have more exposed surface area.

How Long Does an Unopened Ham Last?

An unopened whole HoneyBaked Ham stored in the original packaging will last

• Refrigerator: 1-2 weeks from the sell-by date

• Freezer: 1-2 months

The ham comes with a use-by date printed on the label. For maximum freshness and flavor quality, use or freeze the ham by this date.

How Long Do Leftovers Last?

Once sliced into, leftovers won’t keep as long. Here are the time limits:

• Refrigerator 3-5 days

• Freezer: 1-2 months

Even refrigerated, leftovers start declining in quality after 3 days. Try to eat or freeze all leftovers within 5 days.

Portion ham into meal sizes before freezing for easier thawing and use. Wrapped tightly, frozen ham stays fresh 1-2 months.

Tips for Maximizing Fridge Life

Follow these tips for keeping HoneyBaked ham freshest for as long as possible:

• Store ham in original packaging until ready to serve. Keep tightly sealed.

• Once opened, wrap ham tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Limit air exposure.

• Place ham on a plate or in a container to catch any juices.

• Refrigerate ham within 2 hours of coming to room temperature. Don’t leave it out.

• Avoid introducing bacteria. Use clean utensils and plates when slicing ham.

• Monitor for signs of spoilage like sliminess, smell, or mold and discard if they appear.

• Cook ham within 5 days for optimum quality. Freezing preserves texture and flavor.

• Adhere to “use-by” dates printed on the label for peak freshness.

Identifying Spoiled Ham

It’s important to watch for any signs of spoilage before eating refrigerated ham. Look for:

• Slimy texture and wet appearance

• Grayish, dull or dark discoloration

• Dry, tacky areas on the surface

• Mold growth – especially fuzzy black, blue, green or white mold

• Rancid, unpleasant or sulfurous smell

• Unusual softness or stickiness

If you notice any of these warning signs, don’t risk eating the ham. In general, if the ham’s odor, color or texture seem “off” at all, play it safe and discard it.

Thawing a Frozen HoneyBaked Ham

Before reheating frozen ham, it needs to thaw fully to ensure it cooks evenly and safely. Here are some thawing methods:

• Refrigerator: Unwrap ham and place in a container. Allow 24 hours per 4-5 lbs.

• Cold water: Place in a leak-proof bag. Submerge in cold water, changing water every 30 min. Allow 30 min per lb.

• Microwave: Use the defrost setting on your microwave, checking often. Remove thawed portions as they soften.

Avoid thawing on the counter at room temperature. This allows bacterial growth in the outside layers before the inner ham thaws.

Thawed ham should be consumed within 3-5 days and kept refrigerated. Do not refreeze ham after thawing.

Reheating HoneyBaked Ham

To serve thawed ham warm, reheat it to an internal temperature of 140°F. Here are some methods:

• Oven: Wrap in foil and bake at 325°F. Heat 10-12 minutes per pound.

• Stovetop: Slice ham and heat in simmering broth, sauce or glaze for 5-10 minutes.

• Microwave: Heat individual slices, covered, for 30-60 seconds until hot. Check often to prevent drying out.

Avoid overcooking ham when reheating, as this causes dryness. Heat just until hot and serve immediately.

Creative Ways to Enjoy Leftovers

Besides reheating slices for sandwiches, try these fun ways to repurpose HoneyBaked ham leftovers:

• Stir diced ham into eggs, omelets, frittatas or quiche

• Mix into hash with potatoes or rice

• Add to pasta salad, potato salad, or chef salad

• Fill croissants, biscuits or hand pies

• Toss with roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or broccoli

• Fold into bean or vegetable soup for added protein

• Top flatbread, naan or pizza

• Dice and freeze for future recipes like jambalaya or red beans and rice

With proper refrigeration, you can enjoy the HoneyBaked ham experience for over a week after purchase. Follow these tips to maximize freshness. And get creative with leftovers! Those final glazed slices don’t have to be the end of your holiday ham bliss.