For many families, a delicious glazed ham is the centerpiece of holiday meals and special occasions. Costco is a popular place to buy large high-quality hams at an affordable price. But how long will a Costco ham actually last before it goes bad?
In this complete guide, I’ll go over everything you need to know about the shelf life and storage of Costco hams to help the delicious meat last as long as possible.
Overview of Costco Ham Types
Costco sells several varieties of tasty hams, including
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Kirkland Spiral Sliced Ham: Fully cooked and spiral sliced for easy serving. Contains no artificial ingredients.
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Kirkland Boneless Spiral Ham: Boneless and spiral sliced cooked ham sold in halves. Comes pre-glazed.
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Honey Baked Ham: Partners with HoneyBaked Ham company to offer whole bone-in hams.
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Fresh Leg of Ham: Uncooked bone-in pork leg for seasoning and baking yourself.
No matter which ham you choose, following proper storage methods is key for maximizing how long it lasts.
Shelf Life of Fresh Costco Hams
The shelf life of a Costco ham depends on whether it is fresh, cooked, cured, or spiral sliced. Here’s a breakdown:
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Fresh hams: last only 3-5 days in the fridge before cooking. Can be frozen for 4-6 months.
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Cooked hams: last 5-7 days in the fridge; can be frozen for 1-2 months.
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Cured hams: last up to 2 weeks refrigerated. Frozen, they will last 1-2 months.
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Spiral sliced hams: last just 3-4 days in the fridge once opened. Can be frozen for 1-2 months.
Always check package dates and use fresh hams within the recommended timeframe. Freezing is great for longer storage.
Proper Storage of Costco Hams
To maximize freshness, be sure to store Costco hams properly:
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Refrigerate hams at 40°F or below. Use within recommended fridge times above.
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Wrap ham tightly in original packaging, plastic wrap or foil before freezing. Excludes air.
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Place ham in freezer bags or deep containers to prevent freezer burn.
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Freeze uncooked hams at 0°F or below; cooked hams at -4°F. Use within recommended frozen times above.
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Thaw frozen hams slowly in the fridge, not at room temperature to avoid bacterial growth.
Following these storage guidelines will help ensure your Costco ham stays fresh and delicious.
Can You Freeze a Costco Ham?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze a Costco ham to extend its shelf life beyond the standard 5-10 days!
Here are some tips for freezing hams:
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Let ham cool fully before freezing. Freeze within 1-2 days of purchasing for best quality.
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Wrap ham tightly in heavy duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap. Try to push out all air pockets.
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Place wrapped ham in plastic freezer bag or freezer-safe container.
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Label package with type and date. Include defrosting instructions.
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Freeze cooked hams at 0°F or below; raw hams at -4°F.
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Once thawed, refrigerate and use within 3-5 days. Do not refreeze.
Freezing can keep a Costco ham fresh for 1-6 months depending on the variety. Proper freezing techniques help maintain quality.
Thawing a Frozen Costco Ham
To thaw a frozen Costco ham safely:
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Thaw in the refrigerator: Allow 24 hours per 4-5 lbs. Place ham on tray to catch drips.
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Cold water thaw: Submerge wrapped ham in cold water, changing water every 30 mins. About 30 mins per lb.
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Cook without thawing: Roast frozen ham at 325°F until internal temperature reaches 140°F. May take over 8 hrs for a 10 lb ham.
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Microwave: Defrost 6 lbs or less on defrost setting. Cook immediately, do not let ham sit out after microwaving.
Refrigerator thawing is gentlest on texture. For faster thawing, cold water method works well. Cook frozen ham low and slow.
Storing Leftover Ham
To maximize leftover ham storage, remember:
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Refrigerate carved ham in shallow airtight containers or bags. Use within 3-5 days.
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Wrap ham slices individually in plastic wrap or foil before freezing. Keeps for 1-2 months at 0°F.
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Portion ham into meal sizes before freezing. Thaw only needed amounts.
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Label freezer bags with date, weight and description.
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Do not freeze ham that has been sitting out at room temperature more than 2 hours.
Following these guidelines will help you safely store leftover ham to savor every last delicious bite!
Reheating Leftover Ham
To enjoy leftover ham at its best, use these reheating methods:
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Oven: Heat slices at 325°F wrapped in foil until warm, 15-20 mins.
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Skillet: Cook ham slices over medium-low heat in butter until warm, about 5 mins per side.
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Microwave: Microwave pre-sliced ham on high in 30 second increments until heated through.
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Slow cooker: Add ham chunks and sauce to slow cooker, cook on Low for 2-3 hours. Shred with forks.
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Soup: Dice ham and add to soups, chowders and stews at the very end to reheat.
Proper reheating keeps leftover ham moist and flavorful. Now you can enjoy your Costco ham until the very last bite!
Kirkland Signature Spiral Sliced Ham (Costco Food Review)
Which Costco Ham is best?
The Costco Kirkland Signature Spiral Sliced Ham is hands down the best ham I’ve had. Sean (my husband) usually isn’t a fan of ham, but always goes back for seconds when we have this. The ham is lean without much fat and has a nice subtle smoked hickory flavor. The finished Spiral Sliced Ham – cooked and glazed.
Does Costco sell boneless half Ham?
Yes, Costco carries two different half hams, which can rotate and alternate throughout the year/season. They offer a Kirkland Signature Master Carve Half Ham and a Sunnyvalley Boneless Half Smoked Ham. Expect to pay around $3.50 per pound for them. How do you cook the boneless half ham at Costco?
Does Costco sell Master carve half Ham?
Our review of the Kirkland brand Master Carve Half Ham found at Costco. We will give you instructions how to cook as well as a recipe for a homemade glaze. This post includes affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
When do hams expire?
Here you see two different types of hams. One had an expiration date of 5-8-22 and the other was 7-6-2022. Clearly that is long after Easter. I could easily grab one of these hams and put it in my fridge until Easter and be totally fine. RELATED – Check out my review of the Kirkland Spiral Sliced Ham.