Skip to Content

Can You Freeze A Whole Ham?

Did you find some Ham on SALE? Is your Ham about to expire? NO PROBLEM! Asking ‘Can You Freeze A Whole Ham’? You’ll be saving money, time and have Ham you can use later! 


The edge of three pieces of ham on a gray plate with a napkin and the handle of a fork

How to make spiral ham without drying it out

Why This Recipe Works

  • You Can SAVE a ton of money by buying on sale.
  • Ham tastes the same after it has been frozen! Who knew?
  • Having a whole ham in the freezer is like having an entire meal for a crowd in the freezer!
  • This is GREAT for Easy Easter Ham and Thanksgiving Ham!

Here’s How You Do It. 

STEP 1. Make sure your Ham is in a container you want to freeze it in (wrapper from store, wrapped in plastic wrap and butcher paper?). Write on the container the date you frozen it, a use by date 

ham wrapped in store package with price sticker

STEP 2. Place it in the freezer. 

ham in store package in the freezer

Can You Freeze A WHOLE Ham? 

Yes, you can freeze Ham easily but just placing it in the freezer. This does not affect the taste of the Ham.

Recipes that WE LOVE Using This Ingredient…

We LOVE to use frozen Ham in some of these recipes!!! 

Spiral Sliced Ham

Creamy Cheesy Ham Tomato Sauce

How to Cook Country Ham Slices

The Best Sandwich Ever

The Best Sandwich EVER www.loavesanddishes.net

The Best Sandwich EVER www.loavesanddishes.net

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Can You Freeze A Bone In Ham?

Yes, you can freeze a bone in ham, just follow these directions. 

Can You Freeze A Whole Smoked Ham? 

Yes, absolutely you can! Simply follow the directions below. 

Can I Freeze a Spiral Sliced Ham? 

Yep! Sure can! This recipe will show you how. It’s the same for all kinds of ham! 

What is the Best Way To Freeze A Ham? 

The very best way to freeze a ham is to see the recipe card below and use the instructions for wrapping in plastic wrap followed by freezer paper. Freezer paper can be found at the grocery store where you will find plastic wrap, aluminum foil and parchment paper. 

Can I Eat Ham That Has Been Frozen For A Year or More? 

That is really a judgement call. Essentially, if the meat has been frozen at 32F, it should be fine. However, freezer burn can set in and that will ruin the meat. Check the meat well for freezer burn before preparing it. 

How To Know If Frozen Ham is  Bad

If you notice….

  • The meat  appears encased in ice crystals or frost
  • Meat is very light colored and dry
  • The meat  has been in the freezer longer than 6 months.
  • There was a lot of air in the package.

Can I Freeze a Cooked Ham? 

Yes, you can freeze cooked ham. Place the cooked ham slices in a freezer safe package (freezer bags) and place into the freezer. This will keep for 3-6 months. 

Can I Freeze A Ham Bone? 

Yes, you can freeze the ham bone! Place the ham bone in a freezer package (like a freezer zip lock bag) and freeze for up to 3-6 months. Works GREAT in PINTO BEANS! 

Two country ham biscuits on a blue plate on wooden table

How to Thaw Frozen Ham

Method 1: 

  • Remove the package from the freezer
  • Place the Ham in the refrigerator.
  • After 2-3 days the Ham should be thawed. 

Method 2: 

  • Remove the package from the freezer
  • Place the ham in a  large bowl of cool water or in a very clean sink. 
  • Check every 30 minutes.
  • When thawed, place in the refrigerator. 

How Long Does It Take A Whole Ham To Freeze? 

That depends on how much you are trying to freeze. A large ham may take 24 hours to freeze. A small ham may only take a few hours 

Can You Freeze Whole Ham In the Store Package? 

Yes, you can freeze Ham in its store package. You will want to use this ham within 2-3 weeks. The store package isn’t really meant for freezing. . 

How Long Can You Freeze Ham? 

Ham can remain frozen and still taste good with a good texture in the store package for about 2-3 weeks. I wouldn’t go longer than that. If you want to take extra precautions and wrap it in freezer safe packaging, then 3-6 months. 

Does Freezing Ham Change The Taste? 

Freezing Ham does not change the taste or texture at all. Ham that has been frozen tastes exactly as you would expect and this is a great way to save ham for later. 

A close up of the slices of spiral ham

How to make spiral ham without drying it out

Tips and Tricks 

  • Buy more Ham than you need when it is on sale and freeze some for later! 
  • Use your frozen Ham as soon as you can. Don’t let it stay frozen longer than 6 months. 
  • Remember that Ham will go bad after you thaw it, use it in a reasonable time.
  • Don’t try to freeze Ham that is on the verge of spoiling, it will still spoil quickly when you thaw it. 
  • To thaw Ham, place it in the refrigerator on the day before you plan to use it. 
  • Here’s a WHOLE lot of great information about ham…

If You Enjoyed Learning About How To Freeze A WHOLE Ham, You Might Also Want To See…

How to Freeze Cheese

How to Freeze Lunch Meat

Freezing Steaks.

How to Freeze Raw Meat

How to Freeze Milk

Ya’ll Help Me Out, OK?

Please leave me a 5 STAR comment below. This helps others find Loaves and Dishes on the internet!

The edge of three pieces of ham on a gray plate with a napkin and the handle of a fork

How To Freeze Ham

Did you find some Ham on SALE? Is your Ham about to expire? NO PROBLEM! When you know HOW TO FREEZE Ham, you’ll be saving money, time and Ham you can use later!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: freezing ham, how to freeze whole ham
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 1 minute
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 551kcal

Ingredients

  • 10 lb Ham

Instructions

  • Use a sharpie marker to write on the Ham container: today’s date, use by date (3-6 months), how many days until expired.
  • Freeze the ham in the store container for no more than 2-3 weeks.
  • If you need to freeze for longer, then wrap the ham inside the store container with several layers of plastic wrap followed by several layers of freezer paper. Secure well with tape. Be sure to label the ham well.
  • Place the Ham in the freezer until needed.

Notes

  • Buy more Ham than you need when it is on sale and freeze some for later!
  • Use your frozen Ham as soon as you can. Don’t let it stay frozen longer than 6 months.
  • Remember that Ham will go bad after you thaw it, use it quickly.
  • Don’t try to freeze Ham that is on the verge of spoiling, it will still spoil quickly when you thaw it.
  • To thaw Ham, place it in the refrigerator a day or two before you plan to use it.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How To Freeze Ham
Amount Per Serving
Calories 551 Calories from Fat 342
% Daily Value*
Fat 38g58%
Saturated Fat 14g70%
Cholesterol 141mg47%
Sodium 2692mg112%
Potassium 649mg19%
Protein 49g98%
Calcium 16mg2%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A VERSE TO SHARE

I rarely point out looking at a single verse, because single verses taken out of context can be screwed around to mean anything at all. So, PLEASE go read the entire scripture, chapter and book. But I think this speaks volumes. 

Romans 14: 1

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




David A Elder

Monday 28th of December 2020

Very detailed and useful information on the freezing of cooked ham. Glad we will be able to enjoy our leftover ham at a later date by freezing the slices and cubed ham. Also did not know that the ham bone could be frozen which will be great as I did not have time to make the ham bone navy bean soup and freezing the bone will allow me to make the soup at a later date.

Wendi Spraker

Tuesday 29th of December 2020

Thanks David, I appreciate it. I hope you'll cruise around and find more helpful recipes!

Julie Lowry

Tuesday 15th of December 2020

Very helpful. I've been baking hams and using the bone and trimmings for pinto bean soup for 60 years, but wasn't sure if I could freeze a ham I just bought for Christmas until I'm ready to bake it (I don't have room to store it in the refrigerator. Thank you for the tips.

Wendi Spraker

Wednesday 16th of December 2020

Hi Julie! Glad to know you found this helpful! Thanks for visiting and I hope you'll come back often!

Mary Beth Pauline-Morand

Saturday 2nd of May 2020

Great info!

Wendi Spraker

Sunday 3rd of May 2020

Thanks!

Darlene Knight

Saturday 4th of April 2020

Excellent advice; some I've used for years! Thank you for all the new ideas I've learned from your post.

Wendi Spraker

Saturday 4th of April 2020

Great Darlene! Thanks for leaving me a comment!

Rick Olson

Saturday 21st of March 2020

My wife passed away 6 mounts ago ,and I'm new at a lot of cooking. I love ham and for sandwiches .This was very helpful on how long to cook and the temp.

Wendi Spraker

Sunday 22nd of March 2020

Hi Rick, I'm so sorry to hear about your wife. My sincere condolences. I hope you'll stop back by here often, I have a lot of content for brand new cooks and people who are wanting to cook better. Best wishes through this journey. Feel free to email me with questions wendi(atsign)loavesanddishes.net

15585

Want My 9 Secrets to Immediate Kitchen Confidence?