Quick Answer
Ham can usually be safely consumed for 3-5 days after the sell by date printed on the packaging, as long as it has been properly stored in the refrigerator. However, ham’s quality and taste will start to decline after the sell by date. It’s best to inspect the color, smell, and texture of the ham to determine if it’s still fresh enough to eat. Discard it if you detect any sliminess, stickiness, or off-odors.
Exploring the Details
The sell by date printed on packaged ham is the manufacturer’s recommendation for when the ham should be sold or used by for best quality. It is not an expiration date or safety date. Ham that has been continuously refrigerated can typically last for an additional 3-5 days past this date before significant decline in quality occurs. However, this time frame depends on a few factors:
Storage Temperature
Proper storage temperature is essential for maximizing ham’s shelf life and quality. Ham should be kept refrigerated at 40°F or below. Higher refrigerator temperatures will speed up ham’s deterioration. Make sure your refrigerator is calibrated to the proper temperature. Store ham on a shelf rather than in the door, which tends to be warmer.
Package Integrity
An intact ham package protects the meat from exposure to air, moisture loss, and contamination. If the package has any rips, tears, or is not well-sealed, it will cause the ham to expire faster. Always rewrap ham in a new store wrap or bag if the original packaging becomes compromised.
Preservatives
Many hams contain preservatives like sodium nitrite, potassium chloride, and sodium phosphate. These ingredients help inhibit bacterial growth and slow down changes in color and flavor. Hams with preservatives will generally last a bit longer past the sell by date compared to those without. Check the ingredients list if preservation duration is a concern.
Cooked vs. Uncooked
Fully cooked hams have a longer shelf life than fresh, uncooked hams. Cooked hams are safe when refrigerated for 7 days past the sell by date, whereas uncooked hams are only recommended for 3-5 days. The curing and cooking process helps inhibit spoilage.
Whole vs. Sliced
A whole, unsliced ham will have a longer usable shelf life than sliced ham. As soon as a ham is sliced, it exposes more surface area to air and potential contaminants. Properly wrapped, unsliced ham stays fresher for 5-7 days past its date. Sliced ham is best within 3-5 days.
Fat Content
Hams with higher fat content tend to have shorter storage lives. The increased unsaturated fat can go rancid more quickly. Leaner hams keep better beyond the sell by date. Cured hams with lower fat percentages, like prosciutto, can sometimes last for weeks when refrigerated.
Trust Your Senses
The sell by date is useful, but the most reliable way to gauge whether refrigerated ham is still usable is to inspect its appearance, aroma, and texture. Fresh ham should be pink with a mild, meaty smell. Discard ham that has turned grey, brown, or green, developed a slimy texture, or smells unpleasantly sour or ammonia-like. Rely on your senses rather than just the date.
How to Tell if Ham Has Spoiled
Here are the signs that refrigerated ham has spoiled and should be discarded:
Change in Color
– Gray, greenish, or brownish tinges on the ham
– Dark or dull-looking areas
– Slime formation
Texture Changes
– Extreme stickiness or tackiness
– Very firm, stiff, or hard feeling
– Slimy layer on the surface
Sour Odor
– Pungent “sour” or acidic smell
– Smells like ammonia
Mold Growth
– Fuzzy mold spots anywhere on the ham
Disagreeable Taste
– Bitter, sour, or “off” flavor
– Tastes rancid
If you notice any of these warning signs when checking the ham, play it safe and throw it away. Consuming spoiled ham can potentially cause food poisoning.
Storing Ham Properly
Proper storage methods help maximize ham’s shelf life after the sell by date. Here are some tips for keeping ham fresh longer:
– Keep ham refrigerated at 40°F or below. Use a refrigerator thermometer to verify temperature if unsure.
– Place ham on a shelf rather than in the door, which tends to be warmer.
– If ham comes in a pouch, leave it in the protective pouch packaging. For hams wrapped in paper or loose, overwrap with plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or place it in a resealable plastic bag. The extra barrier helps prevent drying out.
– Avoid cross-contaminating ham with raw meats, juices, etc. Store cooked hams on separate shelves.
– Use ham within 3-4 days of opening the package. Slice only what will be immediately eaten, and refrigerate the rest.
– Do not freeze ham after the sell by date has passed, as the quality will suffer. Freeze it by the date for best results.
Following proper cold food storage recommendations helps ham retain good eating quality and safety past its sell by date. Discard any ham that shows signs of spoilage.
How Long Does Ham Last After the Sell By Date?
The sell by date is not definitive – ham can be kept for a certain period beyond this date if properly handled. Here are some general guidelines for how long different types of ham will last refrigerated past the sell by date:
Cooked Ham
– Whole, unsliced: 5-7 days
– Sliced: 3-5 days
– Canned (shelf stable): 2-5 years
Fresh, Uncooked Ham
– Whole, unsliced: 3-5 days
– Sliced: 1-3 days
Cured Ham
– Dry cured (prosciutto, etc): 2-3 weeks
– Wet cured (deli): 1 week
Lunch Meat Ham
– Sliced, packaged: 3-5 days
– Opened package: 3-4 days
Spiral Cut Ham
– Unsliced: 5-7 days
– Sliced: 3-5 days
Ham Steak
– Fresh: cook within 1-2 days
– Fully cooked: 3-4 days
These timelines assume proper refrigeration at 40°F or below. The ham is kept in its original packaging or properly rewrapped if opened. Always rely on a touch/sight/smell test rather than just the date. Discard any ham that seems off in terms of appearance, odor, or other signs of spoilage. Otherwise, cooked ham can typically last a week past its sell by date before the flavor and texture decline noticeably.
Can You Freeze Ham After the Sell by Date?
It is best to freeze ham prior to the sell by date for optimal freshness and shelf life. Freezing can extend the shelf life of ham for 4-6 months beyond the printed date. However, freezing ham after the sell by date has passed is not recommended. At that point, the ham’s quality has already started to diminish. Some of the negative changes that take place include:
Moisture Loss
Refrigerated storage leads to dried out patches and freezer burn. Ham will seem tough after thawing.
Oxidation
The fats in ham oxidize over time, leading to rancid flavors.
Bacteria Growth
spoilage bacteria like Lactobacillus can multiply, causing off-flavors.
Protein Breakdown
Enzymes degrade proteins, resulting in texture changes and decreased juiciness.
While ham may still be safe to eat when frozen past its sell by date, the taste and mouthfeel will be noticeably inferior. It’s better to cook older ham soon after the sell by date and avoid freezing it. Freeze ham prior to the sell by date for best quality frozen.
Is it Dangerous to Eat Ham After the Sell By Date?
Typically, no – eating cooked ham within a week after the printed sell by date is unlikely to cause foodborne illness, provided it has been continuously refrigerated. Properly cooked ham is low risk for harboring dangerous bacteria. However, there are a few food safety considerations:
– Listeria monocytogenes
Listeria is a dangerous pathogen that can contaminate cured, ready-to-eat meats like ham. Refrigeration restricts its growth. Discard ham if slimy or moldy.
– Toxins
Ham can contain heat-stable toxins if certain bacteria grow. Toxins are not destroyed by cooking. Avoid eating ham with an unpleasant smell.
– Vulnerable Groups
Young children, elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems have greater susceptibility to foodborne illness. They should adhere more strictly to the sell by date.
– Cross-Contamination
Avoid direct contact between raw meats and cooked ham to prevent cross-contamination with Salmonella, E. Coli and other pathogens.
The bottom line is properly handled ham poses minimal risks within a week past the sell by date, for most healthy adults. But take extra care with cross-contamination and discard ham that smells or looks questionable.
How to Use Up Leftover Ham
If you have leftover cooked ham after the sell by date but it still looks and smells normal, use it up quickly in safe applications rather than letting it continue to age in the fridge. Here are some delicious ways to use up older ham:
Omelets or Breakfast Burritos
Chop or dice the ham to mix into egg dishes. The high heat from cooking reduces any bacterial risks.
Casseroles or Baked Pasta
Incorporate diced ham into casserole dishes, mac and cheese, lasagna, etc. Bake at 350°F.
Soups & Chilis
Add ham pieces to bean chili, split pea soup, ham and potato soup, or other boiled dishes.
Sandwiches
Pile sliced ham on bread with cheese, lettuce, mustard, etc. for an easy sandwich.
Pizza Topping
Cubes of ham pair well with cheese atop homemade or store-bought pizza crusts.
Ham Salad
Chop ham and mix with mayo, mustard, onions or other veggies for sandwiches or wraps.
Beans or Lentils
Toss chopped ham into beans or lentil dishes for added protein and flavor.
Eat or freeze leftovers soon after the sell by date, and reheat thoroughly to 165°F before serving. Enjoy the flavor in creative recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat deli ham after the sell by date?
Yes, store-bought sliced deli ham can be safely eaten for 3-5 days past the printed sell by date, provided it has been refrigerated continually at 40°F or below. Inspect sliced deli ham for any signs of spoilage and discard if it has an off smell, appearance, or sliminess. Otherwise, consumption shortly after the sell by date poses minimal risks.
How long can you keep ham in the fridge?
An unopened ham in its original packaging can typically last for 5-7 days past the sell by date if kept refrigerated below 40°F. Once opened, ham should be used within 3-5 days. Sliced ham has a shorter shelf life of only 3-4 days after opening. Cured hams like prosciutto can go for 2-3 weeks when stored properly.
Can you freeze ham to extend the expiration date?
Yes, freezing before the sell by date can prolong the shelf life of ham by about 4-6 months. However, freezing after the sell by date has passed is not recommended, as the quality will already have diminished by that point.
What happens if you eat ham after it expires?
Eating ham 1 week past the sell by date is unlikely to make you sick, since properly cooked ham does not support extensive bacterial growth. However, expired ham may have an unpleasant taste or texture due to moisture loss, oxidation, and other changes. At some point it will become clearly unappetizing even if not necessarily toxic.
How can you tell if cooked ham has gone bad?
Signs that cooked ham has spoiled and should be discarded include a sour or “off” smell, sticky or slimy texture, dull or unnatural coloration, mold growth, and bitter or rancid taste. Trust your senses – if refrigerated cooked ham seems at all ammonia-like or unappetizing, it is safest to throw it away after the expiration date rather than risk eating it.
The Bottom Line
The sell by date on packaged ham is not a firm expiration date. Refrigerated ham typically remains safe to eat for 3-7 days past the printed date, depending on ham type, storage conditions, and packaging. While the taste, moisture, and texture degrade over time, cooked ham poses low safety risks for most healthy adults within a week of the sell by date – provided it shows no overt signs of spoilage. Ham is easier to keep longer when stored properly at 40°F or below. Use refrigerated ham as soon as possible for maximum freshness and quality. Rely on your senses – if it smells, looks, or feels unpleasant, it’s best not to take chances. With proper handling, cooked ham can often be enjoyed a few days past its prime.
