How Long Do Smoked Ham Hocks Last in the Fridge? Your Complete Guide

Smoked ham hocks are a delicious addition to many soups, beans, and other dishes. But how long do these smoked pork knuckles last in the fridge after opening? Can you keep using them for multiple meals or do they need to be used up quickly?

As an avid home cook and smoked meat enthusiast, I’ve done extensive research on ham hock storage times to find the definitive answer. In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about maximizing the shelf life of smoked ham hocks after opening.

An Overview on Smoked Ham Hocks

Before jumping into storage times, let’s start with a quick overview of what exactly smoked ham hocks are.

Ham hocks are the ankle portion of the pig’s leg. They contain a high concentration of collagen and connective tissue which breaks down into rich, meaty flavor during low and slow cooking.

Smoking ham hocks infuses them with a lovely sweet, smoky flavor while also helping to preserve them. Fully cooking them by smoking or boiling prior to packaging also increases their shelf life.

Pre-cooked, smoked ham hocks are sold vacuum-packed and can be found in the refrigerated or frozen meat sections of most grocery stores. They are a popular soul food ingredient and used in dishes like:

• Split Pea Soup
• Navy Bean Soup
• Collard Greens
• Cabbage Soup
• Ham and Bean Soup
• Various Cassoulets

The smoky, salty, unctuous flavor ham hocks impart to slow-simmered bean dishes and braised greens is beyond delicious. Now let’s talk about how long you can keep enjoying them before they go bad

How Long Do Smoked Ham Hocks Last in the Fridge?

So how long will smoked ham hocks last in your fridge after opening?

Here are the general guidelines on ham hock fridge life:

• Unopened, shelf-stable package: 1 week past the “best by” date
• Opened package: 3-4 days
• Cooked ham hocks: 3-4 days

The “best by” date is simply the manufacturer’s estimate for when the ham hocks will be at peak quality. Smoked ham hocks can still be safely consumed for about 1 week past this date as long as they’ve been continuously refrigerated and the package is unopened.

Once opened, the shelf life drops to only 3-4 days. This is because exposure to oxygen starts the countdown for bacterial growth. Make sure to rewrap the ham hocks tightly in fresh plastic wrap or foil if you don’t use them all up right away.

Cooked ham hocks also have a fridge shelf life of 3-4 days. Even if you cooked them yourself and know exactly how fresh they are, you don’t want to let them linger too long.

Freezing is always an option if you won’t use up your ham hocks within 3-4 days. They can keep in the freezer for 1-2 months with minimal quality loss.

Now let’s talk about what to look for to determine if your smoked ham hocks have gone bad.

Signs Your Smoked Ham Hocks Have Spoiled

Smoked ham hocks that have been continuously refrigerated can often be safely consumed past the use by dates printed on the package. However, there are certain signs that indicate spoilage that should not be ignored. Discard ham hocks if they have any of the following characteristics:

• Sliminess – Fresh ham hocks will have a dry surface. Discard if the meat feels excessively sticky, tacky, or slimy.
• Mold – Dry cured hams can sometimes develop harmless surface mold from humidity. But mold on smoked ham hocks means spoilage.
• Off odors – Fresh ham hocks have a mild smoked meat smell. Foul, rotten, or ammonia-like odors indicate spoilage.
• Discoloration – The meat should be pink or mahogany-colored. Gray, green, or black discoloration spots indicate mold or bacteria.

Trust your senses – if smoked ham hocks smell bad, look weird, or feel slimy, it’s better to be safe than sorry and throw them out.

Storing Smoked Ham Hocks for Maximum Freshness

Proper storage is key to getting the most mileage from your smoked ham hocks before they spoil. Here are some storage tips:

• Keep ham hocks in their original airtight, vacuum-sealed packaging until ready to use. This prevents oxygen exposure.

• Once opened, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate. Limit air exposure as much as possible.

• Use oldest ham hocks first and newest last to rotate stock. Write the date opened on packages.

• If ham hocks were purchased frozen, thaw in the refrigerator, not at room temp.

• Refrigerate cooked ham hocks within 2 hours of cooking. Don’t let them sit out.

• Store ham hocks on lower fridge shelves away from fresh produce, which emits ethylene gas that can accelerate meat spoilage.

• Freeze ham hocks if you won’t use within 3-4 days of opening or cooking. They’ll keep for 1-2 months in the freezer before drying out.

Following these tips will help extend the shelf life of your smoked ham hocks after opening while still handling them safely.

Can You Eat Ham Hocks After They Spoil?

It’s not recommended to try to salvage ham hocks that have been left out too long or show signs of spoilage. The harmful bacteria that can grow on perishable meat is simply not worth the risk of serious foodborne illness.

If ham hocks were properly refrigerated yet a few days past the use by date, they may be okay. It’s best to rely on your senses. Give them a good sniff test – your nose is an effective tool for detecting meat spoilage. If they pass the smell check and look fine, it should be safe to thoroughly cook and consume them.

But if there is any doubt or you detect off smells, flavors, or slime – play it safe and throw away spoiled ham hocks. It’s just not worth getting sick over.

How to Know When Cooked Ham Hocks Are Done

Smoked ham hocks are fully cooked as part of the smoking/curing process before packaging. However, they often benefit from additional simmering or baking to heat through and tenderize the meat.

Here are some tips for knowing when your cooked ham hocks are ready to eat:

• The meat should reach an internal temperature of at least 140°F. Use a meat thermometer to check.

• Simmer hocks until fork tender – usually at least 1-2 hours. The collagen will breakdown into luscious gelatin.

• For baked ham hocks, bake at 325°F until warmed through, about 1 hour. An instant read thermometer inserted in the thickest part should read 140°F.

• The meat should start easily pulling away from the bone when fully cooked.

Don’t rely on the minimal cooking instructions on the package. Be sure to simmer or bake ham hocks long enough for flavors to develop and the meat to get perfectly tender.

Enjoy Smoked Ham Hocks Safely

Smoked ham hocks are a true flavor powerhouse. Their rich, satisfying meatiness takes bean dishes, greens, soups, and more over the top. Just be sure to store them properly and watch for signs of spoilage.

For optimal freshness and food safety, use ham hocks within 3-4 days of opening the package. And freeze any you won’t use right away. With proper storage, you can enjoy the maximum shelf life from your smoked ham hocks.