Can I cook a frozen ham without thawing it?

Putting a frozen ham directly into the oven is safe if you don’t have time to defrost it. Plan to cook it about 50 percent longer than a fully defrosted ham. For example, a whole, defrosted, bone-in smoked ham might take 18 to 22 minutes in the oven, while a frozen, bone-in smoked ham will take 28 to 32 minutes to reach the recommended 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can you refreeze ham?

If your defrosted ham has not been in the refrigerator for more than three or four days, you can refreeze it—but be aware that the texture of the meat may suffer a little. Since freezing ham ruptures the cell structures of the meat, refreezing it will only compound the issue by breaking down even more cells and leaving the meat drier.

Can I freeze seasoned ham?

As you would with frozen tofu or frozen chicken , for example, freezing seasoned or marinated ham can actually help to develop a deeper flavor and texture, whether it’s cooked, uncured, or fresh. Simply, season or marinate your piece of ham (whole or cut) before following the instructions above for freezing it.

Can You Freeze Ham? Here’s What You Need to Know

Use these Test Kitchen tips to freeze ham and never let leftovers go to waste.

Katlyn Moncada

Updated on January 16, 2024

Fact checked by

Emily Estep

When it comes to family gatherings (especially around the holidays), a giant cooked ham is often the centerpiece of the dinner table. But if you end up with a lot of leftovers and don’t want it to go to waste, can you freeze ham? The short answer is yes. Freezing ham is a great way to make sure you reduce kitchen waste and don't lose any of that delicious meat you invested so much time (and money) into preparing for the family. Whether it’s fresh, cooked, or sliced, we’ve got the info on how to freeze ham so it lasts longer and stays tasting great once it’s time to enjoy the ham leftovers.

Get Our Favorite Holiday Ham Recipes

Can You Freeze Ham? Here’s How

Fresh, cooked, cured, country—there are so many types of ham. Can you freeze ham, no matter what type? Yes, but it can be hard to determine the best way to freeze it. If the ham is unopened, you can freeze it in its original packaging. When freezing leftover ham (whole or sliced), here are some tips to follow:

Make sure the ham is cooled and dry (to prevent ice crystals).
Wrap in plastic wrap or a freezer bag and then tightly cover with foil.
Place wrapped ham in another freezer bag or freezer-friendly glass storage container. This will help prevent freezer burn.

Test Kitchen Tip

The higher the quality of ham, the better it freezes. To know you’re buying a higher-quality ham (see the types of cooked ham in our guide), avoid labels that read “water added” or mention containing “water product.” Hams without water will maintain the original texture better after thawing. Freezing ham with more water can produce ice crystals. This creates a more lacy texture in the ham when thawed.

How Long Does Ham Last in the Freezer?

Technically, freezing ham will keep it safe indefinitely, but it might not taste good after years of sitting in the freezer. To determine how long frozen ham lasts and maintains its quality, here’s what foodsafety.gov says:

Fresh, uncured, uncooked ham: 6 months
Fresh, uncured, cooked ham: 3 to 4 months
Cured, cook-before-eating ham (sliced or whole): 3 to 4 months
Fully-cooked, unopened ham: 1 to 2 months
Cooked, whole ham: 1 to 2 months
Cooked slices, half, or spiral ham: 1 to 2 months
Cooked country ham: 1 month
Canned, shelf-stable, opened (don’t freeze unopened canned ham): 1 to 2 months
Parma, Serrano, or Proscuitto ham, dry Italian or Spanish type ham, sliced: 1 month

Thawing Ham

After freezing the ham, the thawing time will depend on the size and type of the ham. Give larger sizes at least two to three days to thaw in the fridge gradually. Once thawed, ham will last in the fridge for three to four days. Or use our Test Kitchen’s tip to reheat ham in a roasting pan, covered in a bit of chicken broth, until it’s at a safe internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Favorite Recipes to Make With Ham

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook a frozen ham without thawing it?

Putting a frozen ham directly into the oven is safe if you don’t have time to defrost it. Plan to cook it about 50 percent longer than a fully defrosted ham. For example, a whole, defrosted, bone-in smoked ham might take 18 to 22 minutes in the oven, while a frozen, bone-in smoked ham will take 28 to 32 minutes to reach the recommended 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can you refreeze ham?

If your defrosted ham has not been in the refrigerator for more than three or four days, you can refreeze it—but be aware that the texture of the meat may suffer a little. Since freezing ham ruptures the cell structures of the meat, refreezing it will only compound the issue by breaking down even more cells and leaving the meat drier.
Can I freeze seasoned ham?

As you would with frozen tofu or frozen chicken, for example, freezing seasoned or marinated ham can actually help to develop a deeper flavor and texture, whether it’s cooked, uncured, or fresh. Simply, season or marinate your piece of ham (whole or cut) before following the instructions above for freezing it.