Ham is a favorite at Christmas and Easter, as well as other big family dinners. They say it’s not safe to throw away or give the ham bone to the dog after the meal. Instead, freeze the ham bone so you can add it to soup or make your own ham broth or stock later.
A ham bone will keep in the freezer for at least a few months. That gives you some time to use it all up and a few days to get it ready for long-term storage.
After a delicious holiday or Sunday ham dinner you’re often left with a very useful leftovers – the ham bone. This large cooked bone is packed with rich flavor from the ham and can be used to make soups beans, stock, and other dishes. But to get the most use out of it, you’ll need to properly store the ham bone in the freezer to prevent spoilage.
Freezing allows you to keep the ham bone for extended periods while preserving the meaty flavors. With the right freezing and thawing methods, a frozen ham bone will add delicious smoky, salty flavor to recipes for months after your initial ham meal.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about freezing ham bones and maximizing their shelf life.
Can You Freeze Ham Bones?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze ham bones for long-term storage. Freezing is an excellent way to save the leftover bone and extend its shelf life past the few days it would last in the refrigerator.
The cold temperature of the freezer prevents bacteria growth that causes meat to spoil quickly at fridge temps It also slows down the chemical reactions that lead to loss of flavor,
As long as the ham bone remains continuously frozen at 0°F or below, it will be preserved safely for many months. Freezing locks in the concentrated ham essence within the bone, keeping it intact until you’re ready to use it.
Follow a few simple steps to successfully freeze ham bones:
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Remove any remaining ham slices or meat from the bone. Freeze meat separately.
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Wrap bone tightly in plastic wrap, foil or freezer paper to protect it.
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Place wrapped bone in a freezer bag or airtight container.
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Label bag with freeze date and contents.
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Freeze immediately at 0°F or colder.
How Long Does a Frozen Ham Bone Last?
A ham bone that is continuously frozen at 0°F will technically last and remain safe to eat indefinitely. However, the quality will slowly decline over time.
For best flavor and texture, use frozen ham bones within 3 to 6 months. After 6 months, the natural gelatin and ham essence within the bone start to degrade. The bone may dry out, and the stock made from it can be less flavorful.
Properly frozen, a ham bone should maintain optimal quality for:
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3-4 months if wrapped in plastic wrap or paper
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5-6 months if vacuum sealed
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6+ months stored in broth or stock
Store ham bone stock or soup in the freezer for up to 2-3 months after making it. Eat thawed ham bone dishes within 3-4 days.
How to Tell if a Frozen Ham Bone is Bad
Check your frozen ham bone periodically for any signs of spoilage. Do not use if it has:
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Strong, unpleasant odors
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Mold or icy crystallization
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Extreme freezer burn with dry, shriveled areas
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Changes from pink/white to gray, brown or greenish colors
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Soft or slimy spots on the bone
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Rancid or sour smell when thawed
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Broth or stock made from it smells or tastes off
Any odors or textural changes usually mean the frozen ham bone has gone bad and should be discarded. Do not taste questionable ham bones.
Thawing a Frozen Ham Bone Safely
It’s important to thaw frozen ham bones properly to avoid foodborne illnesses. Here are some safe ways to thaw a ham bone:
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In the refrigerator for 1-2 days
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Submerged in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes
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In the microwave using the defrost setting
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During cooking in soups, beans or broths
Do not thaw ham bones at room temperature or leave sitting out more than 2 hours during thawing. Cook thawed ham bones or make stock from them immediately, within 1-2 days at most.
Bring soups and broths containing the ham bone to a full boil for at least 10 minutes. Reheating must reach 165°F internal temperature to destroy any bacteria.
Using a Frozen Ham Bone
A frozen ham bone can be used in the same ways you’d use a fresh one. It adds rich flavor and body to dishes like:
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Ham bone soup – Simply drop bone into water with veggies, simmer until tender.
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Split pea soup – Boil bone with split peas and seasonings.
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Bean dishes like ham and beans – Simmer bone in pot with beans.
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Homemade ham stock – Boil bone with herbs and aromatics to make stock.
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Greens like collard greens or cabbage – Braise bone with greens for flavor.
Remove bone before eating or freeze soups and stocks with bone removed. Be sure to pick any remaining meat off bone and add to dish.
Wrap Up
A ham bone can be frozen for 3 to 6 months before the quality starts deteriorating. To maximize shelf life, wrap tightly, bag securely, and freeze at 0°F or below. Thaw safely in the refrigerator before using. Finally, simmer the frozen bone in soups, stocks and bean dishes to impart its signature smoky ham essence.
Keep the Ham Refrigerated
Its important that you keep any leftover ham refrigerated at all times. Put the ham in the fridge while you clean up after dinner if you don’t have time to cut it up and separate the bone right away. The U.S. government says that the cooked ham will stay safe for three to four days in a sealed container. S. Food and Drug Administrations guidelines for meat leftovers.
Within those few days, cut the remaining ham from the bone. Cook with it or freeze the ham separately for later use. If you can’t get all the ham off the bone, don’t worry—it will just make the soup stock taste better. If youre not going to make use of the bone immediately, freeze it.
How to Freeze a Ham Bone
Place the ham bone in a freezer bag and make sure the top is well-sealed. Its best to use a vacuum bag to get all the air out and ensure freshness. If you dont have that option, remove as much air as possible from the bag. Check to make sure the bag isnt punctured by any of the sharp edges remaining on the bone.
Label the package with the contents and date. In this way, you can be sure of what’s inside and how long it’s been frozen for. Place the ham bone in the freezer with enough space around it to ensure it freezes quickly.
For best results, try to use your frozen ham bone within three months. If you keep it longer, the taste might get less good, and any meat or cartilage that’s still on it might get freezer burn or dry out.
How long can a thawed cooked ham stay in the fridge?
FAQ
How long can a ham stay in the freezer and still be good?
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Food
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Type
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Freezer [0°F (-18°C) or below]
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Ham
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Fresh, uncured, uncooked
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6 months
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Fresh, uncured, cooked
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3 to 4 months
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Cured, cook-before-eating, uncooked
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3 to 4 months
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Fully-cooked, vacuum-sealed at plant, unopened
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1 to 2 months
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How long can a ham bone stay in the freezer?
A ham bone will keep in the freezer for at least a few months. That buys you some time to make full use of it and you have a few days to properly prepare it for long-term storage. It’s important that you keep any leftover ham refrigerated at all times.
Can ham bones be frozen?
Yes, you can easily freeze ham bones for up to 2 months and thaw them when ready to use in soups or stock. It’s important to take as much ham off the bone as possible before freezing, just in case the bone tears the plastic and introduces cold air leading to freezer burn.
How do you freeze a ham bone?
Place the hambone into a large, resealable freezer bag or freezer-safe container that’s air-tight. Label the bag or container with the date and the contents, then place it into the freezer. Slice or cube the remainder of the ham meat and follow the same procedure.
How long can a frozen ham last?
In the next section, we will provide recommended freezer storage times for different types of ham to guide you in determining how long you can store your frozen ham. When properly stored in the freezer, a whole ham can last for 1 to 2 months, while a ham that has been sliced can last for 1 to 2 weeks.