Shelf Life Tips
- How long does cooked ham last in the fridge? The precise answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - refrigerate ham within two hours of cooking.
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To maximize the shelf life of cooked ham for safety and quality, refrigerate the ham in shallow airtight containers or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
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Properly stored, cooked ham will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
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To further extend the shelf life of cooked ham, freeze it; freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap.
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How long does cooked ham last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 3 to 4 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only - cooked ham that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How long does cooked ham last after being frozen and thawed? Cooked ham that has been thawed in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before cooking; ham that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be eaten immediately.
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How long does cooked ham last at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; cooked ham should be discarded if left for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
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How to tell if cooked ham is bad? The best way is to smell and look at the ham: signs of bad ham are a sour smell and a slimy texture; discard any ham with an off smell or appearance, do not taste first.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
