Tasty Ways to Use Leftover Christmas Ham 35 Recipes - the Imperfectly Happy home (2024)

FAQs

How long will Christmas ham keep in the fridge? ›

How long does Christmas ham last? Christmas ham stored in the fridge, either on the bone or carved off and wrapped in plastic and foil, will keep perfectly well for up to two weeks. Ham wrapped in plastic and foil and then frozen will last in the freezer for up to a month.

We did some investigating and it turns out your ham can last up to two or three weeks! You'll need to look after it though – keeping it moist using a calico 'ham bag'. Other solutions include a damp tea towel or even a moist pillowcase. Pop some vinegar and water over it and repeat every three to four days.

Add up to ½ cup of chicken broth to keep the meat moist or opt for a couple of tablespoons of butter or oil to give the ham a nice sear.

If your ham starts to take on a green or grey hue, or even gets black or brown in a few areas, throw it away. If it doesn't smell good, throw it away. Ham should have a salty or smokey aroma, almost sweet. If there is a sour smell or something smells off, don't take the chance of a food-borne illness.

When Should You Throw Out Ham? If your ham has been stored in the fridge for more than five days after the package has been opened or in the freezer for more than six months, it is best to throw it out. Ham that has been exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit should also be disposed of.

Is Ham Bad for Dogs? Ham is not toxic to dogs, but it's also not a healthy treat for them. So if your pup eats a little piece that fell to the floor, they should be totally fine. But feeding ham to your dog as a regular snack can cause some long-term health issues.

If you want to freeze your Christmas ham (we don't need to tell you how much space they take up in the fridge), cut thick slices and wrap them in plastic, and then in foil. You can keep your ham slices frozen for up to a month.

Now that Easter is over, you might be wondering what to do with leftover ham. Of course there are many options, but one thing you should not do is let it sit too long in the refrigerator. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ham is good for three to five days in the refrigerator after it is cooked.

Wet your ham bag in a solution of water and 2 tbsp of vinegar, and wring out the excess moisture. After carving, cover the ham with the reserved rind, then place inside your ham bag. Do not use plastic wrap to cover the ham. Rinse out your Ham Bag and repeat the vinegar process every 3 days to retain freshness.

Here is how to keep your ham fresh and moist. Rinse a ham bag or large, clean tea towel with a mixture of 1 cup of water and 1 tablespoon DYC White Vinegar. Squeeze any excess liquid from the bag or tea towel. Place the ham in the bag or wrap in the tea towel to completely enclose.

Is it better to freeze or refrigerate ham? ›

Information. Spiral-cut hams and leftovers from consumer-cooked hams may be stored in the refrigerator three to five days or frozen one to two months. Keep your refrigerator at 40 °F or less and your freezer at or near 0 °F. See also Ham and Food Safety.

Place in an oven-safe baking dish. Cover top of ham with loosely wrapped aluminum foil to keep moisture in. Bake at 275 degrees F at 10 minutes per pound–or until meat thermometer reads 135 – 140 degrees.

The goal is to reheat the ham without drying it out. The best way to do this is to place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Add water to the bottom of the pan and cover the whole thing tightly with foil. Bake at 325F for 16-20 minutes per pound, until a meat thermometer registers 135F.

The best way to keep your ham from drying out is to utilize the drippings that come in the package. Pour the juice from the package onto the ham. If there isn't a lot of juice in your package, you may want to add your own liquid.

In the absence of a use-by-date, if bought unpackaged from the butcher, it can only be refrigerated for up to five days in total. If you purchased a cured or smoked ham and you cooked it for your Christmas dinner, you can keep the leftovers for four days in the fridge.

All cooked meat should be frozen or will last 4 or 4 days in a fridge. Smoked meat like smoked ham may last a week or 2.

Mix together 4 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and wet the bag, make sure it is completely soaked through. Wring it out slightly so it's not dripping and place ham inside or wrap completely in the tea towel. Store in coolest part of fridge (usually at the bottom).