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You are here: Home / Cooking / Can You Freeze Ham?

Can You Freeze Ham?

August 27, 2017 By: Michelle18 Comments

Have you ever wondered if you can you freeze ham? Well the simple answer is YES! You can absolutely freeze ham. This week one of my readers wrote to me asking this exact question. I’ve copied her email below and written up a bit of an overview about how to freeze ham and how long ham will last in the freezer which I thought might be helpful for others πŸ™‚

“Hi Michelle,

This is probably a strange question but I was reading your article on freezable sandwich fillings and I was wondering, can I freeze ham? I know you said you can freeze a ham sandwich but can you freeze sliced ham or freeze ham on the bone?

Thank you,
Anne”

can you freeze ham on the bone

Is it just me or is anyone else’s mouth watering?

Can You Freeze Ham?

Yes! You can most definitely freeze all different types of ham. It’s possible to freeze sliced ham, smoked ham, ham off the bone, cooked ham and more. You can even freeze a Christmas ham (whole leg of ham) as long as you follow the right procedure. I’ve included information on how to freeze ham further down the page.

So, to answer your question Anne…

  • Can you freeze sliced ham? Yes and this is great if you want it in individual portions
  • Can you freeze ham on the bone/Can you freeze a leg of ham? Yes. If it is already well packaged you can store it directly in the freezer without any further preparation.
  • Can you freeze cooked ham? Yes, I only ever have cooked ham in the house and it freezes really well.
  • Can you freeze Christmas ham? Yes… Christmas ham is the best!!
  • Can you freeze smoked ham? Yep, it’s the same as cooked ham.
  • Can you freeze deli ham? Yes although I do find it can go a little watery. Thicker slices are better.

A Guide On How To Freeze Ham

Ham can freeze really well if you prepare and store it properly. Here is everything you need to know about how to freeze ham so it defrosts well and tastes good.

What you’ll need

  • Freezer bags or vacuum sealed bags (aluminium foil is also useful for freezing ham on the bone)
  • Sharp knife (if you’re slicing ham and freezing in portions)
  • Permanent marker

How To Freeze Sliced Ham

Freezing sliced ham is convenient and easy. It’s a great way to avoid waste and if done properly ham defrosts just as fresh as when it was frozen. When freezing sliced or deli ham, choose thicker slices as these defrost best.

  1. Use your sharp knife to slice ham to desired thickness (if required).
  2. Allow to cool completely in the fridge if using freshly cooked ham.
  3. Divide ham into portions. Generally a handful or so is a good guide.
  4. Place each portion into freezer bags (or zip lock bags work well too). Be sure to squeeze out all excess air.
  5. Flatten bags so they stack easily in the freezer.
  6. Label each bag using the permanent marker including what’s inside and the date it was frozen.

how to freeze sliced ham

How To Freeze Ham On The Bone

If your ham is whole and already vacuumed packed then you can place it whole in the freezer. If not, follow this process.

  1. Allow ham to cool completely in the fridge if freshly cooked.
  2. Dry the ham with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
  3. Place ham into a freezer bag, making sure to remove all moisture.
  4. Wrap in aluminium foil to protect further.
  5. Wrap in another plastic bag.
  6. Label the bag using the permanent marker with what is inside as well as the date it was frozen.
how to freeze ham

I flatten all my frozen foods so they stack more easily.

Note: If you don’t have a freezer bag big enough to fit your ham you can use plastic “cling wrap” followed by aluminium foil. The important thing is that all the meat it completely covered and the final package is totally air tight.

How Long Can You Freeze Ham For?

Naturally, the next question that comes to mind is how long can you freeze ham for before it goes bad? The length of time ham will keep in the freezer depends on whether you are freezing ham on the bone or sliced ham. Generally ham on the bone will keep longer and freeze better than sliced ham but I’ve included some guidelines below.

As a guide, sliced ham will keep for up to a month in the freezer. Ham on the bone will keep a lot longer, generally 4 months if well sealed. Remember that ham on the bone will need to be defrosted in one lot where as sliced ham can be defrosted in smaller parts if you’ve frozen it in portions.

How Do You Defrost Ham From The Freezer?

Always defrost ham (or any meats) slowly in the fridge. Never leave them out on a bench or submerge in water. Defrosting ham in the microwave is not usually effective as it tends to partially cook. Remember to keep the ham well sealed when defrosting.

So there you go! Everything you ever wanted to know about whether you can freeze ham and how to freeze ham so it is fresh and tasty.

Comments

  1. Tracy @ Our Simple Homestead says

    September 1, 2017 at 9:58 am

    This is a fantastic post; you have answered so many questions about freezing ham. Thank you!!!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      September 1, 2017 at 9:55 pm

      Thanks so much Tracey. I’m glad you think it’s helpful πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. rick says

    December 9, 2017 at 7:11 am

    HI’ i have a frozen ham for 12 months if i thaw it out can it be honey glazed on the bbq

    Reply
    • Mary says

      December 22, 2017 at 4:04 am

      Me too. Did you get an answer to this, Rick? Mine is cooked and vacuum packed

      Reply
      • Michelle @ Keep Calm Get Organised says

        December 22, 2017 at 7:41 am

        H Mary & Rick,
        Your vacuum packed ham should be able to be frozen as is. 12 months is quite a long time for any frozen meat though so while it is probably still safe to defrost and cook, it’s likely to have lost a lot of flavour. If you are glazing & cooking it though this may not be such an issue.
        Michelle πŸ™‚

        Reply
    • Mira says

      April 5, 2018 at 2:20 am

      Hi ham expert Michelle
      Fully cooked smokes vacuumed seale and frozen .
      How to prepare for eating after defrosting
      Thanks

      Reply
  3. Soosie says

    December 17, 2017 at 6:11 am

    So where are the instructions for freezing an already cooked and glazed Christmas ham?

    Reply
  4. Brian says

    January 15, 2018 at 12:03 pm

    Thank you Michelle, just answered all my questions about freezing / defrosting my ham.

    Reply
  5. DENNIS says

    January 21, 2018 at 11:20 am

    Great information, the local shop is trying to get rid of Christmas hams
    for 75% off, will purchase a whole leg, slice & freezer

    Reply
  6. Lisa Saye says

    June 1, 2018 at 8:10 am

    Hi if I defrost the ham to place it into wraps is it ok then to heat the ham as it will be in the wrap that I will want to heat up at lunch time?

    Reply
  7. Laura says

    June 26, 2018 at 9:27 pm

    Hi I have had uncooked cured gammon well sealed in my deepfreeze for 5 months. Will it be safe to cook in my slow cooker or could I poison my family

    Reply
    • Hammy says

      November 23, 2018 at 2:29 am

      No, will taste nasty

      Reply
      • Michelle says

        December 2, 2018 at 3:03 pm

        I haven’t found the taste to be an issue? Make sure you seal in fully or it will get freezer burn though!

        Reply
  8. Carmie Boyd says

    December 3, 2018 at 8:46 pm

    Thank you so much for all your hints, I value them very much. I am off to freeze my ham.

    Reply
  9. Nyssa says

    December 17, 2018 at 6:49 pm

    Thankyou so much for your easy to follow guide on this subject. It made it so much easier for me to save the information so I can refer back to it again in future too & know that it’s authentic information

    Reply
  10. Dianne says

    December 19, 2018 at 3:47 am

    I have a nitrate free, spiral cut ham on bone, uncooked, still in original double package. Has been frozen fior 12 months. Is it alright to thaw, cook and eat??

    Reply
  11. Zena cutler says

    December 21, 2018 at 8:41 pm

    I am from the UK(since 2011) and elderly. Just not used to all this ready cooked ham legs. bought half leg and WITH CRACKLE, just got out of freezer and waiting to see if it is really hard crackle when defrosted!, and do I cook again (coles)?
    Frustrated grandma, help!

    Reply
  12. Karen says

    December 22, 2018 at 4:55 pm

    Your article is extremely helpful. Thank you.

    Reply

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