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Home » Recipes » Preserving

How to Freeze Cooked Ham

Published: Oct 5, 2019 · Modified: Jul 1, 2025 by Wendi Spraker · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

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How to Freeze Cooked Ham

Leftover holiday Cooked Ham? NO PROBLEM! When you know HOW TO FREEZE Cooked Ham, you’ll be saving money, time and have Cooked Ham you can use later! 

ham wrapped in store package with price sticker

Why This Recipe Works

Contents show
1 Why This Recipe Works
2 Here’s How You Do It.
3 Can You Freeze Cooked Ham?
4 Recipes You'll Use Yours In!…
5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
5.1 Can You Freeze A Bone In Cooked Ham?
5.2 Can You Freeze A Whole Smoked Cooked Ham?
5.3 Can I Freeze a Spiral Sliced Cooked Ham?
5.4 What is the Best Way To Freeze A Cooked Ham?
5.5 Can I Eat Cooked Ham That Has Been Frozen For A Year or More?
5.6 How To Know If It is Bad
5.7 Can I Freeze a Cooked Ham?
5.8 Can I Freeze A Cooked Ham Bone?
5.9 How to Thaw
5.10 How Long Does It Take Cooked Ham To Freeze?
5.11 How Long Can You Freeze Cooked Ham?
5.12 Does Freezing Cooked Ham Change The Taste?
6 Tips and Tricks
7 If You Enjoyed Learning This, You Might Also Want To See…
8 Ya’ll Help Me Out, OK?
9 How to Freeze Cooked Ham
9.1 Ingredients
9.2 Instructions
9.3 Notes
9.4 Nutrition
10 A VERSE TO SHARE
10.1 You May Also Love:
  • You Can SAVE a ton of money by buying on sale.
  • It tastes the same ! Who knew?
  • Having it available is like having an entire meal in the freezer!

Here’s How You Do It. 

STEP 1. Make sure its  in a container you want to do the job in (zip lock freezer bag, wrapped in plastic wrap and butcher paper?). Write on the container the date you froze it, a use by date 

A close up of the slices of spiral ham
How to make spiral ham without drying it out

STEP 2. Place it in the freezer. 

Can You Freeze Cooked Ham? 

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

Recipes You'll Use Yours In!…

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

  • Spiral Sliced Cooked Ham
  • Creamy Cheesy Cooked Ham Tomato Sauce
  • The Best Sandwich Ever

 

The Best Sandwich EVER @loavesanddishes.net
The Best Sandwich EVER @loavesanddishes.net

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Can You Freeze A Bone In Cooked Ham?

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

Can You Freeze A Whole Smoked Cooked Ham? 

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

Can I Freeze a Spiral Sliced Cooked Ham? 

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

What is the Best Way To Freeze A Cooked Ham? 

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

Can I Eat Cooked 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. 

A view of three slices of ham on a grey plate with a blue napkin
How to make spiral ham without drying it out

How To Know If It  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 Cooked Ham. Place it in an ice box safe package then freez. This will keep for 3-6 months. 

Can I Freeze A Cooked Ham Bone? 

Yes, you can  the  bone! Place it  in a freez safe package (like a zip lock bag) and put in ice box for up to 3-6 months. Works GREAT in PINTO BEANS! 

How to Thaw

Method 1: 

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

Method 2: 

  • Remove the package from the freezer
  • Place the Cooked 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 Cooked Ham To Freeze? 

That depends on how much you are trying to freeze.

  • A large one may take 24 hours.
  • A small one may only take a few hours 
  • Be sure to wrap either in a heavy wrapper so that it is safe in there! It's COLD in there!

How Long Can You Freeze Cooked Ham? 

If it  is wrapped in a sturdy freezer package can last 3-6 months easily. You’ll want to follow the instructions for how to freeze it that are in the card below.

Does Freezing Cooked Ham Change The Taste? 

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

Two country ham biscuits on a blue plate on wooden table

Tips and Tricks

  • Buy more Ham than you need when it is on sale and freeze some for later! 
  • Use your it up soon. Don’t let it stay frozen longer than 6 months. 
  • Remember that it will go bad after you thaw it, use it in a reasonable time.
  • Don’t try to put it in the icebox if it  is on the verge of spoiling, it will still spoil quickly when you thaw it. Instead, use it in a dish like pinto beans and then freeze THAT if you have to. 
  • To thaw it, place it in the refrigerator on the day before you plan to use it. 
  • Interesting information about ham farmers. 

If You Enjoyed Learning This, 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!

ham wrapped in store package with price sticker

How to Freeze Cooked Ham

Leftover holiday Cooked Ham? NO PROBLEM! When you know HOW TO FREEZE Cooked Ham, you’ll be saving money, time and have Cooked Ham you can use later!
5 from 2 votes
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Course: main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: freezing cooked ham, how to freeze cooked ham
Prep Time: 1 minute minute
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
freeze time: 12 hours hours
Total Time: 12 hours hours 1 minute minute
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 338kcal
Author: Wendi Spraker

Ingredients

  • 10 lb Cooked Ham

Instructions

  • Use a sharpie marker to write on the Cooked Ham container: today’s date, use by date (3-6 months), how many days until expired.
  • Freeze the Cooked Ham in the store container for no more than 2-3 weeks.
  • If you need to freeze for longer, then wrap the Cooked 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 Cooked Ham well.
  • Place the Cooked Ham in the freezer until needed.

Notes

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

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How to Freeze Cooked Ham
Amount Per Serving
Calories 338 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Cholesterol 166mg55%
Sodium 2619mg109%
Potassium 637mg18%
Protein 43g86%
Vitamin C 53mg64%
Calcium 14mg1%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A VERSE TO SHARE

Do you believe in Serendipity? I do. Among other things, my bible verse for the day today is this one. Speak the truth. It always sets you free. 

Of course, as I always say, go read the whole passage.

Hugs ya'll...

Zechariah 8:16

These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts

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Post Views: 1,125

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Comments

  1. Tracy says

    April 16, 2020 at 7:18 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for your straight forward instructions on how to freeze meat, etc. I was concerned about freezing cooked ham because of water content but glad to hear that your experience has been positive. I have an entire ham for two people, don’t want to waste food and considering the pandemic situation, don’t shop much these days. Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Wendi Spraker says

      April 16, 2020 at 8:52 pm

      Hi Tracy, you are very welcome! I'm glad to be of some help!

      Reply
  2. Donald Laur says

    March 13, 2020 at 3:57 pm

    just what I was looking for thanks alot

    Reply
    • Wendi Spraker says

      March 14, 2020 at 11:15 am

      Hi Donald! Glad you found what you were looking for.

      Reply
  3. Wendi Spraker says

    October 25, 2019 at 3:34 pm

    5 stars
    aggregate rating test

    Reply

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Welcome!

Hi! I'm Wendi and I believe that food made with love and passion has power. It can bring people together AND carry them home. I'll show you how to get amazing flavor from simple dishes. Your family and friends will exclaim, "WOW! Amazing! I NEED this recipe!" Join me and nourish your body and soul.

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