Spiral sliced ham is a holiday staple gracing tables across the country for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The convenience of purchasing a pre-cooked and sliced ham makes preparations for these festive meals easier. But what if you don’t need the whole ham for your gathering? Can you freeze the leftovers? Or do you want to buy the ham when it’s on sale before the holidays? Is it safe to freeze a spiral cut ham?
I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about freezing spiral sliced ham We’ll cover
- Is it safe to freeze spiral sliced ham?
- How long does spiral ham last in the freezer?
- How to freeze spiral ham before and after cooking
- Thawing and reheating frozen spiral ham
- Signs of spoiled frozen ham
After reading this guide, you’ll be a pro at freezing and thawing spiral cut ham safely so you can enjoy delicious holiday ham without the waste!
Is It Safe to Freeze Spiral Sliced Ham?
The short answer is yes! Freezing is an safe, effective way to extend the shelf life of cooked spiral sliced ham.
Cured, cooked hams like spiral cut ham are safe to eat straight from the deli counter. Since spiral ham is pre-cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145°F, it’s safe to freeze and thaw for later use.
Freezing stops bacteria growth that could spoil the ham. As long as you freeze the ham promptly at 0°F or below, the cold temperature preserves the quality and prevents spoilage.
Properly frozen ham stays safe to eat indefinitely. However, for best flavor and texture, it’s best to eat thawed spiral ham within 1-2 months.
How Long Does Spiral Ham Last in the Freezer?
Cooked spiral cut ham that is properly packaged and frozen at 0°F lasts 1-2 months in the freezer before quality starts to decline.
Here are some freezing timelines to follow for spiral ham:
- Unopened whole spiral ham: 1-2 months
- Cooked spiral ham slices/half ham: 1-2 months
- Frozen cooked ham leftovers: 1-2 months
Cured ham tends to have a shorter freezer life than uncured ham. The curing process adds salt and preservatives that help prevent bacterial growth but can cause the ham to go rancid faster.
No matter what, frozen ham stays safe to eat indefinitely. But for best flavor and moisture, stick to 1-2 months frozen storage. After that, you may notice some changes in color, dried out texture, and diminished flavor.
Now let’s go over how to properly freeze spiral ham before and after cooking.
How to Freeze Spiral Ham Before Cooking
For freshness, it’s best to freeze an uncooked spiral ham as soon as you bring it home from the store. Here are some tips:
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Leave ham in original packaging or tightly wrap in plastic wrap or heavy duty aluminum foil. This prevents freezer burn.
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Place wrapped ham in a freezer bag, removing excess air. This gives extra protection.
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Label bag with contents and freeze-by date (1-2 months from freezing date).
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Freeze ham immediately at 0°F or below. Use a deep freezer if possible.
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Avoid repeated thawing and refreezing. This causes texture and moisture changes.
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Once thawed, use within 3-5 days. Don’t refreeze thawed raw ham.
Freezing uncooked spiral ham gives you the flexibility to thaw only what you need for upcoming meals. It also lets you buy ham on sale for holiday cooking when ready.
How to Freeze Cooked Spiral Ham
Got cooked spiral ham leftovers after the big holiday meal? Here are some tips for freezing cooked ham:
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Allow ham to cool completely, about 2 hours, before freezing.
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Slice ham or wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.
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For convenience, portion ham into meal-size amounts in freezer bags.
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Remove as much air as possible and seal bags.
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Label bags with contents, amount, and freeze-by date (1-2 months).
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Freeze immediately at 0°F or colder.
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Once thawed, use leftover ham within 3-5 days. Do not refreeze.
Freezing in individual portions makes it easy to thaw just what you need for sandwiches, omelets, pasta dishes and more.
Proper packaging is key to prevent freezer burn on cooked ham. Exposure to air can cause dried edges and change the flavor, color, and texture.
Thawing Frozen Spiral Ham
Never thaw frozen ham at room temperature or in hot water. This can lead to bacterial growth.
For food safety, always thaw in the refrigerator:
- Whole spiral ham: Thaw for 24 hours per 4-5 lbs of ham
- Half ham: Thaw for 12-24 hours
- Sliced or portioned ham: Thaw 8-12 hours
Cold air circulation speeds thawing so leave ham unwrapped in fridge. Place on a rimmed baking sheet to catch drips.
Once thawed, ham is safe for 3-5 days refrigerated. Cook or freeze within this time.
For faster thawing, submerge sealed ham package in cold water, changing water every 30 mins. Cook immediately once thawed.
Microwave thawing is quick but can lead to uneven cooking later. Only microwave if using ham immediately after thawing.
Reheating Frozen Ham
Reheat thawed ham to an internal temperature of 140°F before serving. This kills any bacteria that may have grown during thawing.
- Oven: Bake sliced ham at 350°F for 10-15 mins per lb
- Skillet: Fry ham slices over medium heat for 2-3 mins per side
- Microwave: Microwave individual slices for 30 secs to 1 min
A glaze adds flavor and moisture when reheating ham. Brush with honey, brown sugar, mustard, or pineapple glazes.
Bring refrigerated ham gravy, sauce, or jus to a boil when reheating. This makes it safe to eat again.
Eat reheated ham within 2 hours. Discard any ham left out longer than 2 hours. Freeze remaining ham immediately.
Signs of Spoiled Frozen Ham
Is that frozen ham still good to eat? Check for these signs of spoiled ham:
- Unpleasant, sour odor
- Slime or stickiness
- Mold growth
- Dry, brownish discoloration
- Very hard texture
If frozen ham develops these characteristics, it has spoiled and become unsafe to eat. Always discard spoiled ham.
For best quality, use frozen ham within 1-2 months. Cooked ham keeps for 3-5 days refrigerated once thawed.
The Takeaway on Freezing Spiral Ham
Freezing is an easy, safe method for preserving cooked spiral ham so you can enjoy it again later.
For best results, freeze ham within 1-2 months and thaw in the refrigerator before using. With proper freezing and thawing, spiral sliced ham stays moist and delicious.
Have leftovers after the holidays? Go ahead and freeze them in meal-sized portions for quick weekday lunches or emergency meals.
Storing spiral ham in the freezer lets you take advantage of holiday sales so you can stock up on this tasty protein at a budget-friendly price.
Follow these tips for safe freezing, thawing, and reheating, and you’ll be ready to enjoy fresh-tasting spiral ham any time of year. Happy feasting!
Can you freeze leftover ham?
Can you freeze a spiral cut Ham?
Yes! In fact, experts with Dakin Farm recommend freezing your spiral-cut ham immediately unless you plan to serve it within seven days. A spiral-cut ham comes to you fully cooked, so give it three to four days to thaw in the refrigerator before serving. Thawed ham will likely exude some water in the thawing process.
How long can ham be without refrigeration and still be safe?
Most food experts recommend that ham, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that time, you should discard it.
How long can you keep a spiral ham in the freezer?
Instead, pop it in the freezer as is. The spiral ham will keep for up to two months in freezer temperatures of 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below. After two months, the spiral ham is still safe to eat, but the quality may be diminished. Keep your spiral ham leftovers good enough to eat for as long as two months in the freezer.
Can you freeze a sliced ham?
Yes, but it can be hard to determine the best way to freeze it. If the ham is unopened, you can freeze it in its original packaging. When freezing leftover ham (whole or sliced), here are some tips to follow: Make sure the ham is cooled and dry (to prevent ice crystals). Wrap in plastic wrap or a freezer bag and then tightly cover with foil.