How long will a ham stay good in the freezer?

Eating leftovers is a great way to save money and reduce food waste. However, it’s important to know how long leftover ham will last in the freezer to avoid getting sick from spoiled food. Here are some quick answers about freezing and storing ham:

Table of Contents

Quick Answers

– An uncooked fresh ham can be frozen for 4-6 months past the sell by date. A cooked fresh ham can be frozen for 3-4 months.

– A country cured ham can be frozen for 1-2 months past the sell by date. A cooked country cured ham can be frozen for 1-2 months.

– Ham slices and leftovers can be frozen for 1-2 months with best quality.

– Frozen ham should be kept at 0°F or lower. Use freezer bags or airtight containers to prevent freezer burn.

– Thaw ham overnight in the refrigerator. Do not thaw at room temperature or in hot water.

How long does uncooked fresh ham last in the freezer?

An fresh uncooked ham, both whole and half, can typically be frozen for 4 to 6 months past the printed sell by date on the packaging. The ham must be raw and unopened when placed in the freezer. To freeze properly:

Make sure the ham is unopened and uncooked. Raw fresh ham has not been cured or smoked.
Check the sell by or use by date and freeze 4-6 months before that date.

Wrap the original packaging well with freezer wrap, foil, or place inside a freezer bag.
Freeze at 0°F or below.

Freezing unopened fresh pork limits the growth of bacteria and slows down changes in texture and flavor. Frozen fresh ham stored continuously at 0°F may be safe indefinitely, but quality will decrease over time. For best quality, cook fresh ham within 4 to 12 months.

How long does cooked fresh ham last in the freezer?

Cooked fresh ham, both whole and half, can be frozen for 3 to 4 months after cooking. To freeze properly:

Allow cooked ham to cool completely, then cut into smaller portions if desired.
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, foil, or place inside freezer bags.

Exclude as much air as possible and seal packaging tightly.
Label package with contents and date.
Freeze at 0°F or below.

Freezing cooked ham slows down spoilage. If frozen continuously at 0°F, cooked fresh ham may be safe indefinitely but quality declines over time. For best texture and flavor, use cooked fresh ham within 2 to 3 months.

How long does country cured ham last in the freezer?

An uncooked country cured ham, both whole and half, can typically be frozen for 1 to 2 months past the printed sell by date on the packaging. To freeze properly:

Check sell by or use by date and freeze 1-2 months before.

Ensure ham is raw and unopened.
Tightly wrap ham in freezer paper, foil, or place in freezer bag.
Exclude as much air as possible and seal tightly.

Freeze at 0°F or below.

Country cured ham is processed differently than fresh ham with salt, nitrites, and sometimes smoking or aging. Freezing too long can negatively impact texture and flavor. For best quality, cook country cured ham within 3 months.

How long does cooked country cured ham last in the freezer?

Cooked country cured ham, both whole and halves, can be frozen for 1 to 2 months after cooking. To maximize freshness:

Allow ham to cool completely after cooking, then cut into smaller portions if desired.
Tightly wrap ham in freezer bags, plastic wrap, or foil.
Exclude as much air as possible and seal packaging well.

Label package with contents and freeze date.
Freeze at 0°F or below.

Cooked country cured ham has a shorter freezer life than fresh ham. The salts and curing agents can cause texture and flavor changes during lengthy freezing. For optimal quality and taste, eat country cured ham within 1 to 2 months of freezing.

How long does sliced deli ham last in the freezer?

Ham slices from the deli counter can be frozen for 1 to 2 months for best quality. Properly freeze deli ham slices in the following steps:

Purchase fresh sliced ham, ideally with at least a week before sell by date.
Separate slices into meal-size portions.

Place wax/freezer paper between slices.
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
Store in sealed freezer bags, exclude air.

Label with contents and date.
Freeze at 0°F or below.

Frozen deli ham lasts longer than refrigerated but loses quality quickly. Use frozen deli ham within 1-2 months for best taste and texture.

How long does leftover cooked ham last in the freezer?

Cooked ham leftovers can be frozen for 1 to 2 months after reheating. Follow proper freezing methods:

Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.
Divide into portions for individual meals or recipes.

Place in rigid freezer containers, bags, or wrap in foil or plastic.
Exclude air and seal packaging tightly.
Label package with contents and date.

Freeze at 0°F or below.

Freezing cooked ham prevents bacterial growth that causes spoilage and food poisoning. Frozen leftovers maintain quality longer than refrigeration. Use frozen cooked ham within 1-2 months for best safety and quality.

Proper freezer temperature for ham

A freezer temperature of 0°F or below is required to safely freeze perishable foods like ham for extended storage. An appliance thermometer can be used to monitor the freezer temperature. Maintaining -10°F to 0°F is ideal. Some tips for keeping the freezer cold enough include:

Regularly check and clean condenser coils according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Allow space around air vents and cold air circulation.
Open the door as little as possible and close it quickly if opened.

Defrost as needed to prevent ice buildup.
Don’t overcrowd the freezer.

Temperatures above 10°F can lead to faster food spoilage. If the freezer cannot maintain 0°F or below, the ham may not last as long as the recommended freezer times.

How to package ham for the freezer

Proper packaging is key to maintaining ham quality in the freezer. Suggested materials to use include:

Freezer or plastic wrap – Wrap ham pieces tightly in layers of plastic wrap, pressing wrap against surface.
Aluminum foil – Wrap ham in foil, then place foil packages in freezer bags.

Freezer bags – Exclude air, seal bags tightly using cool pack or straw method.
Rigid freezer containers – Select durable airtight containers made for freezing.
Freezer paper – Use for separating slices, then overwrap in plastic wrap or foil.

Additional tips for packaging ham for the freezer include:

Use only new, clean packaging materials.
Press out air and seal tightly.

Pre-freeze meats for 1-2 hours before wrapping to firm up surfaces.
Wrap with airtight barrier materials like foil or freezer wrap.
Avoid reuse of freezer burned packages.

Label all packages with contents and dates.

Preventing freezer burn ensures better texture and moisture retention. Properly sealed freezer packaging protects frozen ham from oxidative reactions that cause dryness and color changes during freezing.

Thawing frozen ham safely

Frozen ham must be thawed safely to prevent bacterial growth on the outer surfaces before the inner areas thaw. Never thaw ham at room temperature or in hot water. Recommended thawing methods include:

Refrigerator thawing – Place frozen ham in a tray or bag to catch drips. Allow 24 hours per 5 pounds.
Cold water thawing – Seal ham in a plastic bag submerged in cold tap water, change water every 30 minutes.
Microwave thawing – Follow appliance directions for defrosting. Cook ham immediately after microwaving.

As part of cooking – Roast frozen ham straight from freezer, increasing cook time.

Always cook ham immediately after thawing. Do not refreeze thawed raw ham. Thawed cooked ham can be refrozen but quality declines.

For food safety, thawed ham should be firm and cold to the touch, with no discoloration or sticky fluids. Discard ham with an off-odor or slimy appearance.

How to recognize spoiled ham

Ham can develop signs of spoilage during refrigeration or freezing. Know what to look for to determine if thawed or refrigerated ham is still safe to eat:

Slimy texture or sticky, cloudy fluids
Off odors – sour, ammonia, fruity, fermented

Mold growth – fuzzy or dry patches, scientific names
Discoloration – green, blue, black
Dry, brown edges (freezer burn)

Ham with foul odors, visible mold, or slime should be discarded. Color changes at edges and surfaces can indicate freezer burn rather than dangerous bacteria. However freezer burnt ham does not retain moisture and flavors as well.

When inspecting packaged ham, also check for leaking, torn packaging, air bubbles, and ice crystals which are signs of improper freezing. Ham stored continuously at proper temperatures should retain a bright pink color.

How to store ham safely

Proper storage prevents spoilage and foodborne illness from ham. Follow these recommendations for safe refrigerated and frozen storage:

Refrigeration

Refrigerate ham within 2 hours of cooking or removing from packaging.
Use cooked ham within 3-4 days.
Use fresh uncooked ham within 5-7 days.

Keep cold at 40°F or below.
Place in shallow covered container to allow cold air circulation.
Do not overcrowd refrigerator.

Store in meat keeper drawer away from produce.

Freezing

Freeze ham by recommended timeframes for type.
Maintain freezer at 0°F or below.

Wrap ham properly using freezer packaging.
Exclude air and seal tightly.
Label package with contents and dates.

Place within moisture-proof plastic bag if needed to prevent freezer burn.
Avoid overcrowding freezer to allow cold air circulation.

Monitor refrigerator and freezer temperatures with appliances thermometers. Promptly refreeze or cook thawed ham that has been held above 40°F for over 2 hours.

Conclusion

Knowing how long ham stays fresh and identifying signs of spoilage are important when storing ham in the refrigerator or freezer. With proper packaging, temperatures, and storage times, ham can retain quality and safety for use in recipes, sandwiches, and meals for the family.

Type of Ham	Refrigerator	Freezer
Fresh, uncooked	5-7 days	4-6 months
Fresh, cooked	3-4 days	2-3 months
Country cured, uncooked	5-7 days	1-2 months
Country cured, cooked	3-4 days	1-2 months
Sliced deli ham	3-5 days	1-2 months
Cooked ham leftovers	3-4 days	1-2 months