Ham Storage Chart
Related pages:
- For details on cooking ham, see Ham Cooking Chart.
- For details on preparing, cooking, and storing meat, see Meat.
Type of Ham | Refrigerate | Freeze |
|---|---|---|
Fresh (uncured) Ham, uncooked | 3 to 5 days | 6 months |
Fresh (uncured) Ham, cooked | 3 to 4 days | 3 to 4 months |
Cured Ham, cook-before-eating; uncooked | 5 to 7 days or “use-by” date* | 3 to 4 months |
Cured Ham, cook-before-eating; after consumer cooks it | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
Cooked Ham, vacuum sealed at plant, undated; unopened | 2 weeks | 1 to 2 months |
Cooked Ham, vacuum sealed at plant, dated; unopened | “Use- by” date* | 1 to 2 months |
Cooked Ham, vacuum sealed at plant, undated or dated; opened | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
Cooked Ham, whole, store wrapped | 7 days | 1 to 2 months |
Cooked Ham, half, store wrapped | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
Cooked Ham, slices, store wrapped | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
Spiral-cut hams and leftovers from consumer-cooked hams | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
**Country Ham, uncooked, cut | 2 to 3 months | 1 month |
Country Ham, cooked | 7 days | 1 month |
Canned Ham, labeled "Keep Refrigerated," unopened | 6 to 9 months | Do not freeze |
Canned Ham, labeled "Keep Refrigerated," opened | 7 days | 1 to 2 months |
***Canned Ham, shelf stable, opened | 3 to 4 days | 1 to 2 months |
Lunch Meat Ham, sealed at plant, unopened | 2 weeks or “use-by” date* | 1 to 2 months |
Lunch Meat Ham, sealed at plant, after opening | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
Lunch Meat Ham, sliced in store | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
Prosciutto, Parma or Serrano Ham, dry Italian or Spanish type, cut | 2 to 3 months | 1 month |
*Company determines its "use-by" date and stands by it.
** A whole, uncut country ham can be stored safely at room temperature for up to 1 year. The ham is safe after 1 year, but the quality may suffer.
*** An unopened shelf-stable, canned ham may be stored at room temperature for 2 years.
