How to Freeze Ham
Fresh, cooked, cured, country—there are so many types of ham. Any type of ham can be frozen, but it can be hard to determine the best way to freeze it. If the ham is unopened, you can freeze it in its original packaging. When freezing leftover ham (whole or sliced), here are some tips to follow:
Make sure ham is cooled and dry (to prevent ice crystals). Wrap in plastic wrap or a freezer bag and then tightly cover with foil.Place wrapped ham in another freezer bag or storage container. This will help prevent freezer burn.
Test Kitchen Tip: The higher the quality of ham, the better it freezes. To know you’re buying a higher-quality ham (see the types of ham in our guide), avoid labels that read “water added” or mention containing “water product.” Hams without water will maintain the original texture better after thawing. Freezing ham with more water can produce ice crystals. This creates a more lacy texture in the ham when thawed.
How Long Does Ham Last in the Freezer?
Technically, freezing ham will keep it safe indefinitely, but it might not taste good after years of sitting in the freezer. To determine how long frozen ham lasts and maintains its quality, here’s what foodsafety.gov says:
Fresh, uncured, uncooked ham: 6 monthsFresh, uncured, cooked ham: 3 to 4 monthsCured, cook-before-eating ham (sliced or whole): 3 to 4 monthsFully-cooked, unopened ham: 1 to 2 monthsCooked, whole ham: 1 to 2 monthsCooked slices, half, or spiral ham: 1 to 2 monthsCooked country ham: 1 monthCanned, shelf-stable, opened (don’t freeze unopened canned ham): 1 to 2 monthsProsciutto, Parma or Serrano ham, dry Italian or Spanish type ham, sliced: 1 month
Thawing Ham
After freezing ham, the thawing time will depend on the size and type of ham. Give larger sizes at least two to three days to gradually thaw in the fridge. Once thawed, ham will last in the fridge for three to four days. If you’re not sure what you’ll use it for, try one of our favorite ham recipes. Or use our Test Kitchen’s tip to simply reheat ham in a roasting pan, covered in a bit of chicken broth, until it’s at a safe internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.