Can You Freeze Ham?

Yes you can! Freezing ham is simple. Still, there are many different types of ham and each type has a slightly different freezing process. So, read on to find out how to freeze different types of ham.

Absolutely! In fact, it will last longer than cooked ham. If you freeze ham before you cook it, you’ll extend its freezer lifespan by 30–50%. So, a cooked, uncured ham will last around 3–4 months in the freezer, while an uncooked, uncured ham will last around 6 months.

There’s no reason you can’t freeze the smoked stuff! Just follow the same steps as you would for regular ham – depending on whether it’s sliced or whole ham – and you’ll be able to store your smoked ham without affecting the taste and texture.

Not unless you want an angry Spaniard paying you a visit!

Seriously, this is one type of ham that you should not freeze. Serrano jam, or jamon Serrano has many complex flavors that have been delicately created by years of breeding the cattle and dry curing the meat. It’s a type of ham that loses flavor when frozen and to let those flavors go to waste would be a culinary crime!

After opening, a packet of sliced Serrano jam should last around 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Also, be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving.

It’s another “no” I’m afraid. Parma ham is not suitable for freezing. As it’s a dry-cured meat, by freezing it, you’re re-moisturising it. Instead of the water seeping into the ham, it sits on the surface, making it slimy and very unappetizing.

The good news is that you don’t need to to freeze parma ham! It’ll last for up to 40 days in a sealed container in the fridge. Still, with recipes like baked parma ham and parmesan and asparagus wrapped in parma ham, you think you’ll be able to last 40 days?!

Yes, absolutely. Cured ham freezes just the same as fresh ham.

Freezing ham on the bone is a great way to preserve its flavor. Plus, it’s really easy!

The whole freezing process is slightly different to other types of ham though. See below for the step-by-step guide.

Yes, freezing ham hock is as simple as freezing any other type of ham. You can either freeze ham hock on the bone or you can slice it beforehand. Just follow the instructions at the bottom of the page.

Thawing frozen ham is easy. There are two main methods:

Thawing ham in the refrigerator

Remove the ham from the freezer and place in the refrigerator, fully sealed. Set aside 4–5 hours of defrost time per pound of ham. It should defrost completely by 2–3 days.

Thawing ham in water 

This is a much faster method than thawing in the refrigerator. Remove the ham from the freezer, keeping it fully sealed, and place it in a clean bowl of cool water. You can also use the sink, just make sure it’s properly clean beforehand. Change the water every 30 minutes or so. 

Allow 30 minutes of thaw time per pound of ham. It should take around 4–6 hours to fully defrost.

You know those times when you defrost waaay too much of something? Then you want to know whether putting it back in the freezer is a good idea? Well, thankfully ham is one of those foods that refreezes just fine, without losing too much of its taste and texture.

I say too much because, the fact is, refrozen ham will lose some of its quality. That’s to be expected though and is probably a small price to pay for preserving your delicious ham and not letting it go to waste.

An important point – only refreeze ham if you originally thawed it in the fridge. If you thawed it in cold water, unfortunately you won’t be able to refreeze it.

Also, make sure you refreeze the ham within three days of thawing and don’t refreeze it if it has been outside of the fridge for more than two hours.

Once it’s been cooked, ham lasts for around 3 to 4 days. Uncooked or cured ham lasts for a little longer – around 5 days to a week. 

Pre-cooked ham that’s been vacuum sealed lasts for around 7 days in the fridge.

This depends on the type of ham you are freezing. First of all, if it’s ham you’ve cooked yourself, it will keep its flavor in the freezer for up to 4-6 months. Beyond that, it should be safe to eat up until around 8 months.

Store-wrapped pre-cooked ham will keep its flavor for up to 2 months and will last for around 4 months.

Trust your senses! Firstly, if it smells a little funky, it’s on its way out. Visually, when ham starts to go off, it will start to take on a grey color, instead of that beautiful vivid pink. The texture will change too – you’ll notice it will become slimy and dull.

As always with meat, don’t take any chances. Be sure to follow the use by date and the advice in the sections above. If in doubt, throw it out.