Can you freeze ham? Yes, and how long ham lasts

Yes, ham freezes well. Cooked ham keeps its best quality for 1 to 2 months in the freezer, according to the USDA. In the fridge, how long it lasts depends on the cut: sliced, half or spiral-cut ham keeps 3 to 4 days, and a whole cooked ham about a week. That covers the big holiday ham and the leftovers after it.

How long does ham last in the fridge?

Times from the US government's cold storage chart and the USDA FoodKeeper, using the shorter where they differ, at 40°F (4°C) or colder:

• Spiral-cut, sliced or half ham, cooked: 3 to 4 days.
• Whole cooked ham, store-wrapped: 1 week.
• Fully cooked ham vacuum-sealed at the plant, unopened: 2 weeks or the "use by" date.
• Fresh (uncured) ham, cooked: 3 to 4 days.
• Country ham, cooked: 1 week.
• Leftover ham from a meal: 3 to 4 days, like other cooked meat.

How long does ham last in the freezer?

• Cooked ham, whole, half, spiral-cut or sliced: 1 to 2 months.
• Country ham, cooked: 1 month.
• Fresh (uncured) ham, cooked: 3 to 4 months.
• Canned ham labelled "Keep Refrigerated": do not freeze.

These are quality times. Ham kept frozen at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe, but its quality drops after this.

How do you freeze leftover ham?

• Refrigerate it within 2 hours of serving.
• Take the meat off the bone and cut it into slices or cubes. Freeze the bone separately for soup.
• Pack meal-sized portions into freezer bags, press out the air and add the date.

See how to prevent freezer burn and freezer bags or containers.

How do you thaw and reheat ham?

Thaw it in the fridge overnight, or add cubes straight from frozen to soups and egg dishes. Reheat leftover ham to 165°F (74°C). A fully cooked ham still in the packaging from a USDA-inspected plant only needs reheating to 140°F (60°C). More in how to reheat meal prep.

How do you use leftover ham in meal prep?

Diced ham is good stirred into egg and veggie muffin cups or freezer breakfast burritos in place of other fillings, or into a pot of white bean and kale soup. Count the storage time of the finished dish from the day you make it, as long as the ham was still within its own time.

How can you tell if ham has gone off?

A sour smell, a slimy surface or a dull grey or green colour mean throw it away. Do not taste it to check.

Related questions

• Can you freeze deli meat
• How long Thanksgiving leftovers last
• Printable fridge and freezer storage chart

Sources

• FoodSafety.gov: cold food storage chart
• USDA FoodKeeper (storage times by food)
• USDA: freezing and food safety
• FoodSafety.gov: safe minimum internal temperatures