Millions of homes will celebrate Easter with a delicious ham as the main entrée of their holiday meal.
How long will ham last in the freezer or refrigerator? That is a question that many people have. The answer, however, depends on a few factors. Ham can stay frozen for up to six months if it’s not opened, and it can stay fresh in the fridge for about seventy-five days. However, if you want to extend the shelf life of your ham, you can freeze it.
Still unsure about the safety of your ham? Read further for more guidelines regarding how long ham lasts.
We sell traditional smoked ham at Stoltzfus Meats that is great for holiday meals. This Easter ham is slow-cured with hickory hardwood smoke and is gluten-free and free of fillers and MSG.
You can order your Easter ham online in time for the holiday, and you can be sure that your guests will love how moist and tasty it is. It’s truly a celebration ham. Find out what makes our hams different here.
Our bone-in hams and boneless hams are also great options for holiday meals. We offer cooking instructions for both ham varieties. Our bone-in, boneless, and smoked hams are favorites among our award-winning family of quality meat products.
Smithfield ham is a delicious and popular choice for many holiday meals and special occasions Known for its iconic salty, smoky flavor, this Virginia-style country ham has a rich history dating back over 400 years.
But what if you have leftovers after the big event? Can you freeze a Smithfield ham to enjoy later? And if so. how long does a Smithfield ham last in the freezer?
In this complete guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about freezing a Smithfield ham, including
- How long a fresh Smithfield ham lasts in the fridge
- Can you freeze a Smithfield ham?
- How long a Smithfield ham lasts in the freezer
- How to freeze a whole Smithfield ham
- How to freeze sliced Smithfield ham
- How to thaw and use frozen Smithfield ham
Let’s dive in!
How Long Does a Fresh Smithfield Ham Last?
An unopened, fresh Smithfield ham will last for 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh in the fridge for about 7 days after being opened.
Pay close attention to the “use by” or expiration dates written on the package. Plan to cook your fresh Smithfield ham within that time frame for the best taste and freshness.
Pro tip: Let your Smithfield ham rest at room temperature for a couple hours before cooking. This helps it cook more evenly.
Can You Freeze a Smithfield Ham?
Without a doubt! Freezing a Smithfield ham is a great way to make it last longer so you can enjoy it again later.
Smithfield hams freeze very well compared to other types of meat. The curing process they undergo helps preserve the ham in the freezer.
Both whole hams and sliced Smithfield ham take well to freezing. You just need to package it properly to prevent freezer burn. More on that below!
How Long Does a Smithfield Ham Last in the Freezer?
A whole, unsliced Smithfield ham will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months. Sliced Smithfield ham lasts a shorter time – about 1 month in the freezer.
As with fresh hams, pay attention to any use by dates printed on packaged sliced Smithfield ham before freezing. Freeze it before that date runs out.
Freezing can technically keep ham safe for consumption for longer, but the quality will degrade over time. For best flavor and texture, stick within the recommended timeframes.
Pro tip: Label frozen packages with the freeze date so you know how long it’s been stored.
How to Freeze a Whole Smithfield Ham
Freezing a whole, unsliced Smithfield ham is simple:
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Start with a fresh, uncut ham within its use by date. Rinse and pat dry.
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Wrap the entire ham tightly in plastic wrap, pressing out all the air.
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Overwrap the plastic-wrapped ham in aluminum foil for extra protection.
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Place ham in freezer bag or airtight container. Remove excess air.
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Label bag with freeze date and “Smithfield Ham.” Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
Pro tips:
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Double wrapping prevents freezer burn which can cause dryness and rancid flavors.
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For easier slicing, freeze ham upright to minimize surface area exposed to air.
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For maximum flavor, freeze ham at 0°F or below.
How to Freeze Sliced Smithfield Ham
Follow these steps to properly freeze sliced Smithfield ham:
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Start with fresh deli-sliced ham. Or, thinly slice your own ham.
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Layer slices between sheets of wax or parchment paper. This prevents sticking.
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Wrap the stack tightly in plastic wrap, squeezing out air.
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Place wrapped stack in freezer bag, removing excess air.
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Label with freeze date and “Sliced Smithfield Ham.”
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Freeze up to 1 month.
Pro tips:
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Divide ham into smaller portions before freezing for easier thawing and use.
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Prevent freezer burn by minimizing air exposure.
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For best quality, use frozen sliced ham within 1-2 months.
How to Thaw and Use Frozen Smithfield Ham
Thawing frozen Smithfield ham is hassle-free:
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For whole hams, leave wrapped and place in refrigerator 2-3 days before cooking.
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For sliced ham, leave wrapped and thaw overnight in fridge.
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For quick thawing, place vacuum-sealed packages under cold running water 1-2 hours.
Once thawed, use Smithfield ham just as you would fresh ham. It’s delicious fried up for breakfast, in casseroles, sandwiches, soups and more.
Pro tips:
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Don’t thaw ham at room temperature or in hot water. This allows bacteria growth.
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Cook thawed ham within 3-5 days. Don’t refreeze thawed ham.
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Ham glaze doesn’t freeze well. Apply glaze after thawing.
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If ham smells bad or looks slimy, it has spoiled. When in doubt, throw it out!
Freezing Smithfield Ham: Quick Tips
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Whole hams last 2-3 months frozen; sliced ham 1 month max
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Double wrap hams in plastic and foil before freezing
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Freeze unsliced hams standing up to minimize air exposure
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Label frozen packages with freeze date and contents
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Thaw frozen ham for 2-3 days in the fridge; 1-2 hours in cold water
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Use thawed Smithfield ham within 3-5 days; do not refreeze
Enjoy Delicious Smithfield Ham Anytime!
With proper freezing techniques, you can keep Smithfield ham on hand for months and enjoy its signature flavor whenever you get a taste for it.
Use this guide to confidently freeze your leftover Smithfield ham after the holidays or a special get-together. Your future self will thank you!
How Should I Store Cooked Ham?
You can keep cooked ham in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to two months. Make sure to store it in a container that won’t let air in or tightly wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This will help to prevent the ham from drying out.
How Long Does Ham Keep In The Fridge?
If you have a whole ham, it can last in the fridge for up to seventy-five days. If you have a half ham, it will last for about sixty days.
Ham that has been precooked or spiral cut will last for about one week. If you see sliced ham on the market with packaging that says it lasts longer, that probably means MSG or more nitrites and nitrates than usual were used to keep it fresh.
Checking the packaging to see how long the ham will last in the fridge is the best way to find out. If the date has passed, throw the package away. Once the packaging or wrap on your ham is open, you should consume it within five days.
How long can you keep a Smithfield ham in the refrigerator?
FAQ
Is a 2 year old frozen ham still good?
How long can you keep an unopened spiral ham in the freezer?
How long can a Smithfield ham be frozen?
How long can you freeze pre cooked ham?
Can you freeze a ham?
To ensure optimal freshness, wrap the ham tightly in freezer paper, aluminum foil, or a heavy-duty plastic bag, and set your freezer temperature at or near 0 °F (-18 °C). This tight wrapping prevents freezer burn and preserves the ham’s texture and flavor. Before using, thaw the ham in the refrigerator, not at room temperature, to maintain safety.
How long does a spiral ham last in the freezer?
Therefore, spiral hams that are both cooked and cured will only last for one to two months in the freezer. This applies to both bone-in and boneless varieties. Additionally, if you are cooking your spiral cut ham before you freeze it, the leftover slices will also follow the same time constraints.
How to prevent frozen ham from freezer burn?
Vacuum sealer and bags (optional) — Vacuum seal bags are the best way to prevent frozen ham from developing freezer burn, but if you only have regular zip-top freezer bags they’ll work too! Zip-top freezer bags — It’s important that you use freezer bags and not regular zip-top bags so the ham doesn’t develop freezer burn.
How do you store a frozen ham?
Here are some guidelines to follow: Double Wrapping: To provide extra protection against freezer burn, consider double-wrapping your frozen ham. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, ensuring there are no air pockets. Then place it in a resealable freezer bag or airtight container.