Ham is a beloved deli meat and centerpiece for many holiday meals. But because it’s so expensive, no one wants to throw away any of this tasty pork.
Is it still okay to eat ham that has been in the fridge for too long? Or does it need to be thrown away?
The good news is that ham lasts 1-2 weeks beyond those pesky sell by dates printed on the package. But for the best flavor and food safety, it’s important to know how to interpret these dates and tell if your ham is still fresh
This article will tell you everything you need to know about when ham goes bad, such as:
- What do sell by, use by, and best by dates mean?
- How long can you eat deli ham after the sell by date?
- What’s the shelf life of whole, unopened hams?
- Does freezing extend the shelf life of ham?
- How to tell if ham has gone bad after the date
- Safe ways to use up expired ham in recipes
Let’s dig in!
Ham Expiration Dates Explained
Ham packages can be marked with a dizzying array of expiration dates including sell by, use by, and best by dates. What do they all mean?
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Sell by date Recommended date for stores to sell by Ham is still good for 1-2 weeks past this date,
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Use by / Best by date: Recommended timeframe for peak quality. Ham may still be good past this date if handled properly.
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Expiration date: Avoid eating ham past this date as quality rapidly declines.
The sell by date is not an expiration date, but rather a guideline for retailers. As long as you freeze or refrigerate ham properly after purchase, it’s still safe to eat for 7-14 days past that printed date.
For optimal freshness and taste though, cook or freeze ham by its use by or best by date.
How Long After Sell By Date Can You Eat Deli Ham?
Ready-to-eat deli ham, sold pre-packaged or sliced at the deli counter, will last 5-7 days past its sell by date if continuously refrigerated.
It’s best to use opened deli ham within 3-5 days for maximum freshness. Discard any deli ham that smells bad or appears slimy.
Vacuum-sealed deli ham generally lasts 1 week beyond its sell by date. With proper refrigeration, it stays safe up to 2 weeks past that date.
Harder, dry cured hams like prosciutto can go 2-3 weeks past the sell by if stored properly. Softer deli ham has a shorter window of only 5-10 days past its date.
What’s the Shelf Life of an Unopened, Whole Ham?
An unopened, whole cured ham has a longer shelf life than pre-sliced deli ham.
Kept continuously refrigerated, an unopened ham stays fresh for:
- Bone-in whole ham: 3-5 weeks past sell by date
- Boneless whole ham: 2-3 weeks past sell by date
For best quality, cook fresh hams within 1 week of the sell by date. Use extra caution with spiral sliced hams, using within 3-5 days.
Once opened, whole hams should be used within 5-7 days. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Does Freezing Extend the Shelf Life of Ham?
Yes, freezing allows you to extend the shelf life of fresh ham for 6-8 months past the sell by date.
To freeze ham:
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Wrap deli ham tightly in plastic wrap or place in airtight containers. Exclude air.
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Wrap whole, bone-in hams in freezer paper or bags. Double wrap for extra protection.
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Label packages with contents and freeze-by date.
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Freeze at 0°F or below for best quality.
Thaw frozen ham overnight in the fridge before use. Cook within 3-5 days.
How to Tell If Ham Has Gone Bad After Its Date
Watch for these signs that your ham has spoiled and should be thrown out:
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Slimy texture or dull, slippery appearance
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Grayish color instead of pink
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Strong sour or rancid odor
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Mold growing on the cut surfaces
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Dry, cracked edges on whole cured ham
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Hardened fat cap or gelatinous spots
When in doubt, remember the old adage: If it smells funky, it’s likely funky! Don’t risk getting sick from iffy ham.
Safe Ways to Use Up Expired Ham
As long as it looks and smells fine, you can safely eat ham 1-2 weeks past those sell by dates. Try these tasty ways to use it up:
- Omelets, frittatas, and scrambles
- Quiches or crustless quiche muffins
- Pizza topping or stuffed into baked potatoes
- Ham salad sandwiches or wrap fillings
- Diced in pasta salads, potato salad, or coleslaw
- Simmered in soups like split pea, bean, or vegetable
- Crispy ham chips or homemade Cajun ham jerky
The bottom line? Trust your judgment, use proper storage, and you can safely enjoy delicious ham even after its sell by date has passed. Just follow those nostrils and taste buds!
Dates on meat packages – Sell by, use by, freeze by, packaged on, expiration date
Ever wonder why different food has different indicator dates on the package and what they mean?
It can be really confusing to look at an indicator date on a package and see a variety of different terms. If there is a misunderstanding of what the date means, the safety of the food product and those consuming it could be compromised. Michigan State University Extension recommends keeping your refrigerator at the proper temperature, less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important that continuous refrigerated or frozen storage be used with meat products that are not shelf stable.
Sell by – This creates an easy date for the retailer to know when the product has to be removed from their shelf and disposed of instead of being sold. In general, consumers have one to three days to use that meat product if it is fresh before there would be concern from a safety standpoint. Typically retailers will mark down the price of a product if the sell by date is near. That can create an opportunity for consumers to purchase something that is still acceptable from a safety and quality standpoint at a bargain as long as the consumer goes home and uses the product right away.
Use by/Freeze by – This type of dating system is clearest for the consumer. If the food is fresh, it needs to be eaten by or before the date written on the package. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it. Meat that has been frozen can be kept for anywhere from one to twelve months, depending on the type of meat (chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, or beef). If the product is frozen and kept frozen, safety does not become an issue.
Printed on: This kind of date is often found on fresh meat, but it also gives customers the most room to make a mistake. After being packaged in butcher paper wrap or the usual meat tray overwrap style, most fresh meat can be kept in the fridge for up to three days. If the product is vacuum-packed with a good seal and the air is taken out of the package, it can be stored for up to seven days after it was bought in a store.
Expiration date – For consumers, expiration dates are very user friendly. Simply, the product needs to be used on or before the expiration date from a safety standpoint. These dates don’t show up on meat packages very often, but they do show up on some processed meats.
Another question that is common relates to processed meat products. Once a processed meat product (ham, hot dog, lunchmeat, etc. If the package is opened, the food should be good for seven days, unless there is another date on the package that has already passed. After the seven days, the product should not be consumed. Within seven days, the rest of the hot dogs must be eaten or frozen after the package of hot dogs has been opened and some have been cooked and eaten. If you go to the deli and received sliced lunchmeat, eat that within seven days.
Stay on top of dates and acceptable storage times to reduce food waste. But when in doubt, throw it out.
DEBUNKING THE CANNED GOOD EXPIRATION DATE MYTH
FAQ
Can you eat ham after the sell-by date?
How can you tell if ham is spoiled?
Can you eat ham after 7 days?
How long do you have after the sell by date?
How long after sell by date can you eat ham?
The length of time you can safely eat ham after the sell by date depends on whether the product is opened or unopened. If the product is unopened and still in its original packaging, it can generally be eaten 2-3 weeks past the sell-by date. Opened products should be consumed within 3-5 days of the sell-by date.
How long does a ham last after a sell-by date?
The length of time ham remains good after the sell-by date depends on various factors. From my knowledge, cooked ham can be safely consumed for about 3-4 days after the sell-by date if stored properly in the refrigerator. On the other hand, smoked or cured ham can last even longer, up to 7-10 days after the sell-by date if stored correctly.
How long does cooked ham last?
From my knowledge, cooked ham can be safely consumed for about 3-4 days after the sell-by date if stored properly in the refrigerator. On the other hand, smoked or cured ham can last even longer, up to 7-10 days after the sell-by date if stored correctly. Now, let’s talk about the difference between unopened and opened ham.
How long can you eat a cured ham?
An opened canned ham should be consumed within a week. A fresh ham–meaning one that has not been cured, smoked or pre-cooked–should be consumed within 3-5 days or frozen. It should be defrosted, cooked, and consumed within 6 months. A cured ham should be consumed within 7 days or frozen.