14+ Recipes for Leftover Ham (2024)

FAQs

How long will a cooked ham last in the refrigerator? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ham is good for three to five days in the refrigerator after it is cooked. If you need more time to use up those leftovers, ham will last up to two months in the freezer. The USDA also recommends wrapping up leftovers well.

When Should You Throw Out Ham? If your ham has been stored in the fridge for more than five days after the package has been opened or in the freezer for more than six months, it is best to throw it out. Ham that has been exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit should also be disposed of.

Christmas ham stored in the fridge, either on the bone or carved off and wrapped in plastic and foil, will keep perfectly well for up to two weeks. Ham wrapped in plastic and foil and then frozen will last in the freezer for up to a month.

Preheat oven to 325°F. Arrange slices in a single layer on a greased baking pan. Add a couple of tablespoons of broth or water and cover with foil. Bake for about 10 minutes or until heated through, turning slices once.

If your ham starts to take on a green or grey hue, or even gets black or brown in a few areas, throw it away. If it doesn't smell good, throw it away. Ham should have a salty or smokey aroma, almost sweet. If there is a sour smell or something smells off, don't take the chance of a food-borne illness.

Freezer storage time is for quality only. Frozen hams remain safe indefinitely. For more information, see Ham and Food Safety.

Once you open a package of ham, or if it comes open — like if it was sliced at the deli counter— you can safely eat your leftovers for up to five days. In addition to these dates, it's always best to stick to the use-by date printed on the ham's package.

Slimy ham is a sign of bacterial growth, so don't consume it if it's wet or oily.

Spiral-cut hams and leftovers from consumer-cooked hams may be stored in the refrigerator three to five days or frozen one to two months. Keep your refrigerator at 40 °F or less and your freezer at or near 0 °F.

Yes and no. Although ham isn't toxic for your dog, it's best to avoid it in large quantities. The odd small bite is unlikely to cause an issue (unless your dog has a known or underlying medical condition), but it's not the best meat for your pup to consume a lot of.

Can you freeze leftover Christmas ham? ›

If stored properly, your Christmas ham can last up to a month in the freezer. Just wrap your ham – sliced or whole – in some cling wrap and foil to avoid freezer burn and let the merriment continue all the way into March.

You can freeze delicious ham and it'll last for weeks before you need to use it. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that fully cooked frozen ham is safe to eat for up to one to two months. If you find yourself with leftover ham, freezing it for future use is both easy and convenient.

Put a bit of water and olive oil in the pan, cover the pan, and reheat slowly, just enough to warm the ham. You don't have to cook it again, just warm it.

In terms of food safety, however, so long as you reheat the food at the correct temperature and for the correct duration of time, it can in fact be safely reheated multiple times. However, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends that food is only reheated once, so follow this guidance wherever possible.

The meat is placed in an oven with a higher dry heat, causing the drippings to evaporate when cooking. While some drippings may make it to the bottom, most will not—causing the meat to dry out.

For serving, we recommend taking Ham or Turkey out of refrigeration for 30 minutes prior to serving. If you choose to refrigerate your products, Honey Baked Ham can be refrigerated for 7 to 10 days and Honey Baked Turkey Breast can be refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Uncooked slices (if kept in a cool dry area) do not require refrigeration until they are opened, at which point they should be consumed promptly. Genuine Smithfield Hams will keep for up to 2 years and Country Hams will keep for up to 6 months without deterioration or loss of quality.