You just got home from the grocery store with a cooked ham spiral, a can of ham, and a whole country ham from the specialty store. Three hams. Three completely different storage solutions. Which ones go in the fridge, which ones can stay in the pantry, and what happens if you make a mistake?
Should the ham be refrigerated?
Short answer: Cooked ham, deli sliced ham, and chilled canned ham should be refrigerated at all times. Canned shelf hams and whole uncut hams do not need to be refrigerated before opening or cutting. Rule: Check the label. If it says “keep refrigerated” it should be cold regardless of the type. If it comes from a pantry shelf without a refrigeration label, it is stable until opened or cut.
For more information on storing perishable meats and perishables, see Food storage guide.
To take the keys
- Whole ham, spiral or cooked deli: refrigerate at all times, use within 3 to 5 days after opening
- Canned ham on the shelf (not labeled “Keep Refrigerated”): Refrigerate until opened in pantry
- Canned ham in the refrigerator (label “Keep Refrigerated”): in the refrigerator at all times, 6 to 9 months
- Uncut whole ham: up to 1 year at room temperature (USDA)
- Country ham after cutting: refrigerate immediately, use within a week
- Leave out for more than 2 hours: omit cooked or deli ham
Should cooked ham be refrigerated?
Yes, all the time. All cooked whole hams, spiral sliced hams, boneless cooked hams and deli sliced hams must be refrigerated from purchase to all uses. The USDA recommends storing cooked ham at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, cooked ham must be discarded according to the USDA’s 2-hour perishable food rule.
Most cooked hams you find in the grocery store are fully cooked and can be served cold or hot. Fully cooked does not mean shelf stable. Ham is perishable and even if it is cooked, it must be constantly cooled. Even a vacuum-sealed whole cooked ham must be cold before opening. After opening or cutting, use within 3 to 5 days.
Should canned ham be refrigerated?
It depends on what kind of canned ham you have, and the label tells you directly.
Canned ham on the shelf it doesn’t have a “keep in the fridge” label. It has been high-heat processed to kill all spoilage bacteria and pathogens, making it safe at room temperature for 2 years according to the USDA ham and food safety guide (some general USDA food preservation guidelines cite up to 5 years for low-acid canned products; follow the date on your specific product). They are generally small cans under 3 kilos. Store in a cool, dry container, away from heat sources. After opening, refrigerate and use within 3 to 5 days.
Canned ham in the refrigerator It is labeled “Keep Refrigerated”. It is not completely sterilized and must be kept cold at all times. The USDA says these hams can be refrigerated for 6 to 9 months. Never store a “Keep Refrigerated” canned ham at room temperature, even if the can is unopened. The USDA specifically states that consumption of these canned hams after storage at room temperature may cause foodborne illness.
If you’re not sure which type you have: check the label first, then check where it was sold. Shelf canned ham is sold on non-refrigerated grocery shelves. Chilled canned ham is sold from the fridge.
Should country ham be refrigerated?
A whole, uncut ham does not require refrigeration. According to the USDA FSIS, a whole country ham can be safely stored at room temperature for one year. Country hams are dry-cured with salt, which draws out moisture and reduces water activity to a level that prevents pathogenic growth at room temperature. It is the same principle of preservation as dry-cured prosciutto and salami. Virginia hams, Smithfield hams, and similar products have been stored unrefrigerated for centuries in steakhouses and pantries precisely because salt curing makes refrigeration unnecessary.
Note: After cutting the country ham and exposing the moist interior, refrigerate the cut piece immediately. The salt on the surface provides protection, but the interior is moist. After cutting, use within a week.
How to store each type of ham
Whole Ham or Cooked Spiral
- Keep refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below at all times.
- Store cut side down or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap to limit exposure to air.
- Store on an interior shelf, not on the door.
- Use within 3 to 5 days after cutting or opening the container.
- For longer storage, cut into portions and freeze on the first day for best quality.
Deli-Sliced Ham
- Chill anytime, open or unopened.
- After opening, close tightly or transfer to an airtight container.
- Store away from raw meat on an indoor shelf.
- Use within 3 to 5 days after opening.
- Discard if left outside for more than 2 hours.
Apalategi Preserved Ham
See also
- Store in a cool, dry pantry, away from heat sources and sunlight.
- Do not store near a stove, in a garage in the summer or in a hot car.
- Good until the manufacturer’s use-by date, 2 to 5 years.
- After opening, refrigerate and use within 3 to 5 days.
- Do not freeze in cans.
Country ham (whole, uncut)
- Store hanging or on a shelf in a cool, well-ventilated place.
- No refrigeration required for up to a year.
- If mold forms on the surface, wash with hot water and scrub with a stiff vegetable brush, according to USDA guidelines. Don’t ignore it.
- Once cut, wrap the cut face tightly and refrigerate immediately. Use within a week.
Recipes Using Ham
If your cooked ham is nearing the end of its window, use it. The Leftover ham spiral croque monsieur It’s a classic use for holiday leftovers. The ham and egg chilaquiles use ground ham and put it together in less than 20 minutes. For the USDA’s complete ham safety guide, see USDA FSIS hams and food safety page.
Does the ham need to be refrigerated FAQ?
FAQ: Can ham sit at room temperature?
Cooked hams, deli sliced hams, and opened canned hams follow the USDA’s 2-hour rule: Discard if left at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90 degrees Fahrenheit). Exceptions are shelf-stable canned ham (unopened) and uncut whole ham. Both can sit at room temperature for a long time because they are stable products.
Frequently Asked Questions: Should ham be refrigerated after cooking?
yes Whether cooking fresh ham from scratch, reheating fully cooked holiday ham, or baking a glaze in a ham spiral, the cooked ham must be cooled within 2 hours of cooking. Allow to cool briefly, then wrap tightly or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. Use within 3 to 5 days. For a very large ham you won’t finish it quickly, cut it into pieces and freeze it on the first day.
FAQ: How long does the ham last after opening?
3 to 5 days for cooked whole ham, spiral and fillet. 3 to 5 days for open shelf canned ham. A week after cutting the country ham. For a complete breakdown of the shelf life of all types of ham, plus signs of spoilage, see the ham goes bad.
Further reading
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