Yes, ham can be frozen! It depends on how long you can keep it frozen and what you can do with it.

Did you know that if you correctly freeze ham, it can keep indefinitely? It may not always retain its quality, but it will always be safe to consume.

We’ll go through frozen ham in more depth below, as well as other recipes that use leftover ham.

How to Freeze Ham

If you haven’t opened your store-bought ham yet, you may freeze it in its package.

Can cooked ham be frozen? Yes! If you want to freeze leftover cooked ham, first make sure it’s cold and dry. Place the ham in a plastic bag, then cover it in aluminum foil before placing it in another plastic bag. These methods can help you avoid ice crystals and freezer burn.

Freezer bags are superior to ordinary zip-lock bags since you may take extra air out of the bag before freezing your ham. Any excess air can reduce the life of your ham in the freezer.

Please keep in mind that when we talk about the freezer life of your ham, we’re talking about quality and flavor, not safety. Again, after freezing, your ham will be safe to consume for years.

Make certain you read the label on your ham. Because the water freezes into ice crystals, ham with additional water is more difficult to freeze and less flavorful when thawed. The taste of your frozen ham will suffer as a result of these ice crystals.

How Long Does Ham Last in the Fridge/Freezer?

You can freeze ham indefinitely, but it will taste worse the longer it sits in the freezer. Cooked ham may be frozen for up to 1-2 months. Uncured raw ham can keep in the freezer for up to 6 months. There are minor variances depending on the sort of ham you freeze and how you prepare it before freezing, which we will go over in more detail below.

According to foodsafety.gov, food may be safely frozen forever. Their useful infographic illustrates the maximum amount of time food may be frozen and still taste good.

Fresh, uncooked, uncured ham keeps in the refrigerator for five days and in the freezer for six months. Uncured cooked ham keeps for four days in the fridge and four months in the freezer.

Cured, uncooked ham will keep in the fridge for seven days unless the Use By date specifies otherwise. This sort of ham may be frozen for up to four months.

Curing meat is the technique of preserving and enhancing its qualities by salting, drying, or smoking it. The meat will survive longer as a result of this technique, but the tastes will not. This explains why the recommended freezer time for cured ham is less than for uncured ham. It is still safe to consume after 4 months, although it will be less tasty.

Fully cooked, vacuum-sealed ham that was cooked before you purchased it will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks unless its Use By date is sooner, and it will keep in the freezer for approximately two months.

Fully cooked ham wrapped in paper at the grocery store will keep in the refrigerator for one week and in the freezer for around two months. If the ham is sliced into slices or halves, it will keep in the refrigerator for five days and in the freezer for two months.

A country ham that has been extensively salted and dried over time can keep for approximately a week in the refrigerator and up to a month in the freezer for the finest taste results.

An unopened can of Keep Refrigerated ham will keep in the refrigerator for nine months and should not be frozen. Freezing liquids in an airtight container might erupt due to the pressure.

Unopened shelf-stable canned ham or ham that does not need refrigeration will keep in your cupboard for up to two years. The same opened can of ham will keep in the refrigerator for four days and in the freezer for two months.

Prosciutto, Serano, or Parma ham will keep in the refrigerator for three months and in the freezer for one month. Make sure they are genuine Italian or Spanish cuts since that is why they keep so well in the fridge.

How to Tell if Frozen Ham is Bad

Frozen ham is typically safe indefinitely, although there are a few exceptions.

Freezer burn, which appears as grey or brown dried streaks on meat, indicates that your ham will be less tasty when cooked. Contrary to common perception, the lower quality of your ham will not make you sick.

However, if the texture of your ham has altered, discard it. Meats are okay to consume, while vegetables with textural changes are not.

It is usually advisable not to cook your ham if it smells strange or odd. The stench was caused by other items in your freezer, and although it is safe to consume, it will not taste nice.

Throw aside any frozen ham that is not totally frozen. If this is the case, you will see a pool of unfrozen liquid. The ham may have partly thawed and so is dangerous.

If you can’t recall when you frozen the ham or if the box is damaged, toss it to prevent tasteless meat.

Frozen Ham Recipe Ideas

With leftover ham and vegetables, you may prepare a baked egg casserole. This is an excellent choice for large families or huge holiday gatherings.

Toss some leftover cold ham into a salad. This is most effective with chef salads.

Sauteed ham, onions, and broccoli replace dull avocado toast. For a sumptuous snack, bake everything together on a skillet and serve with thick pieces of bread.

To make a nice comfort supper, toss the leftover ham into your favorite pasta sauce. Most pasta recipes pair well with ham, so experiment with various sauces and veggies.

You may also use leftover ham to flavor soups and stews, add it to sandwiches, and use it to one-pot dishes.

When cooking thawed leftover ham, use this chart to keep you and your family safe.

Frequently Asked Questions