How long does cooked ham last in the fridge?
Sliced, half or spiral-cut cooked ham keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge, and a whole bone-in ham keeps 1 week, counted from the day you buy it. All of them keep 1 to 2 months in the freezer, per USDA FoodKeeper.
Updated
| Kind | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Sliced, half or spiral cut | 3 to 4 daysfrom purchase | 1 to 2 monthsfrom purchase |
| Whole, bone-in | 1 weekfrom purchase | 1 to 2 monthsfrom purchase |
| Half, bone-in | 1 weekfrom purchase | 1 to 2 monthsfrom purchase |
Can you freeze cooked ham?
Yes. Cooked ham keeps 1 to 2 months in the freezer from the day you buy it, per USDA FoodKeeper. Freezer times are for best quality: food kept at 0°F stays safe longer, but it dries out and loses flavor. Ham keeps its texture better frozen in slices or chunks than whole. The bone freezes well for soup.
How to store cooked ham
After the meal, slice what is left off the bone and put it in shallow containers so it cools fast. Wrap it well so it does not dry out.
USDA FoodKeeper also notes:
- Reheat cooked hams packaged in USDA-inspected plants to 140°F and all others to 165°F.
How long can cooked ham sit out?
No more than 2 hours at room temperature, or 1 hour when it is above 90°F, such as at a summer picnic. After that, USDA says to throw it out.
How long does a spiral ham last in the fridge?
A spiral-cut ham keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge from the day you buy it, per USDA FoodKeeper.
How to tell if cooked ham has gone bad
Go by the days, not by the smell. The germs that cause food poisoning usually do not change how food looks, smells or tastes, so food past its time can seem fine and still make you sick. Mold, a sour smell or a slimy feel mean it has spoiled, but food without them is not safe just because it seems fine. Never taste food to check it. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to reheat cooked ham
Heat leftovers until the middle reaches 165°F on a food thermometer, and bring soups, sauces and gravy to a rolling boil. Cover the food while it heats so it stays moist and heats all the way through. In a microwave, stir or turn it halfway. You can reheat frozen leftovers without thawing them first. It takes longer.
Times from USDA FoodKeeper, the storage data from USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service: data version 128, last changed September 6, 2018, still the current version. Public domain. The handling rules are from USDA's Leftovers and Food Safety.