Not So Fast With That Ham Sandwich! Here’s How Long Ham Really Lasts in the Fridge

Stacey Feintuch
·6 min read
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Culinary experts reveal how long a holiday ham really lasts.

Homes around the country celebrate Easter, Christmas and other holidays by making ham the star of the meal. In fact, Americans purchase over 300 million pounds of ham over the holidays. Ham is also popular for celebratory meals because of its versatility, says Chef Ann Eley, director of training at Famous Toastery. "You can pair ham with an array of sides and you can put many flavorings on ham from rubs to glazes and sauces on the side," she says.

Ham allows you to give guests options and enables everyone to be happy they can customize their plate for their palate. Ham is also “in season” for the Easter holiday and is typically readily available. (Turkeys have been more impacted by weather and bird viruses, which you don’t see today with swine, notes Eley.)

But just how long does ham last in the fridge? That answer can vary, so we turned to the experts to weigh in before you make your third ham sandwich of the week.

Related: 12 Best Honey-Baked Ham Recipes for Easter Dinner

Facts About Buying Ham

  • Hams are sold based on different criteria: you’ll find them bone-in, partially boned or boneless. Ham from the shank end of a hog is fattier. The butt end of the hog is easier to slice and leaner.

  • Ham is sold fresh or cured. Cured hams are wet-cured or dry-cured. Wet-cured ham is brined, where it is soaked in a liquid-salt mixture. Then it’s soaked. A dry-cured ham is covered with salt. It’s stored until it absorbs the salt, which preserves it.

  • Ham is fully cooked, partially cooked or uncooked. Fully cooked ham has been heated to 148° F internally. Partially cooked ham is at 137° F. If a ham is uncooked or partially cooked, it should be baked before serving. If it’s fully cooked, it needs to be heated.

How Long Does Ham Last in a Fridge?

"As a general guideline, your ham will last for five days," says Daniel Hlusak, culinary director at Titan Hospitality Group in Crofton, Maryland. "Thinly sliced deli ham tends to have a shorter shelf life (he says to check the packaging) and larger hams such as a picnic or spiral can last the full five days."

Be sure the ham is properly cooled at first, says Hlusak. If hot, the ham should be cooked, and uncovered until below 49° F before covering. The wrap or lid will insulate it.

Frozen ham should be thrown away after three months, Hlusak says. “Just use a Sharpie and some tape to label it—it works for the pros!”

Can I Eat Ham After 10 Days?

Culinary experts agree that you shouldn’t eat ham after 10 days.

David Murray, head chef and owner of Crumb which has three locations in New Jersey, says a fresh, fully cooked ham is good for three to five days as long as it’s wrapped and refrigerated. “We use a 72-hour rule at our establishments and only prepare what we expect to use for that day,” he says. “This eliminates waste and saves us money.”

As for storage temperature, Max Tucci, author of the cookbook The Delmonico Way, leans on the advice of a trusted source—his mom. "If your refrigerator ever goes above 40° F, throw out the ham."

To enjoy the ham for more than five days, store it in the freezer. It can last up to two months. Lolita Carrico, a certified nutritionist, cookbook author and founder of Ketology.net, suggests cutting the ham into portions—that way, you can easily defrost it.

Related: How Long Does It Take To Cook the Perfect Ham?

How Long Will a Cooked Ham Last in the Fridge?

"If you store a ham properly, it should last for up to three days," says Tucci. Proper storage means wrapping it in plastic wrap or an airtight container. These methods prevent the ham from drying out.

Carrico takes it a step further and wraps cooked ham in plastic wrap, then puts it in an airtight container. That way it stays even fresher.

How Long Does Sliced Ham Last in the Fridge?

According to Ebony Austin, owner and head chef at Noveau Bar & Grill, both cured and fully cooked spiral hams can stay fresh in the refrigerator for three to five days after cooking. And some hams like country ham can last up to a week.

Tucci agrees. “From all the chefs that I know and food enthusiasts (like myself), we are all unanimous on how long sliced ham can last in the fridge. The answer is five days maximum,” he says. He reiterates that if the sliced ham has been exposed to temperatures above 40° F, it should be thrown out.

Related: 50 Ways to Step Up Your Holiday Ham Dinner Game

How Can You Tell if Ham Is Spoiled?

Check the ham’s expiration date. Signs that your ham is spoiled include a tacky, sticky or slimy texture; mold on the ham’s surface; a sour, sulfur, ammonia or rancid smell; or meat that’s gray or discolored. "Normally, ham is pink with white fat. However, when it goes bad, it can turn green or gray," says Austin. "Prevent spoilage by wrapping the ham tightly when storing and watching the expiration date."

Throw the ham away if you see any of these signs that the ham is spoiled. “Always remember to be cautious with refrigerated food,” says Tucci. “Like most spoiled foods, ham can lead to food poisoning which includes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.”

How Long Does Christmas Ham Last in the Fridge?

"Cooked ham, fully cooked spiral-sliced ham or unsliced ham is good for up to three to five days," says Tucci.

Remember that your holiday spread has likely been out of the fridge for a few hours before it’s been packed and stored. So Eley recommends only keeping it in the fridge for four days or so.

"You can freeze leftovers for up to two months," says Carrico. "Slice it into smaller portions and wrap it in plastic and then an airtight container."

Related: 30 Best Christmas Ham Recipes

Can I Eat Ham After 8 Days?

Most hams are safe to eat three to five days after cooking. Country ham or canned ham can be eaten up to seven days after cooking.

How Long Does Deli Ham Last in the Fridge?

Deli ham is also known as a cold cut or lunch meat. It’s cured and sliced. Also known as lunch meat or a cold cut, this ham is cured, sliced and usually prepackaged. Carrico says it lasts for five days. She removes deli ham from the paper wrapping it comes in and places it in a zippered plastic bag and then in an airtight container to maximize freshness.

Packaged ham can be kept for up to two weeks, says Eley. “Proceed with caution and use your best judgment on how the ham was prepared, kept out and stored.”

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