How long does ham last?

Checked 24 Oct 20265 official publishers, 15 sources

Fully cooked, whole: 7 days in the fridge and 1-2 months in the freezer for best quality.

Storage times for ham by state and place
StateCounter / pantryFridge 40 °FFreezer 0 °F
Fully cooked, whole 2 hours max CDC 7 days safety FDA FoodKeeper Extension 1-2 months best quality FoodKeeper FDA Extension
Fully cooked, half 2 hours max CDC 3-5 days safety FDA Sources disagree: 1 week FoodKeeper 1-2 months best quality FoodKeeper FDA
Fully cooked, slices or spiral cut 2 hours max CDC 3-4 days safety FDA FoodKeeper Extension 1-2 months best quality FoodKeeper FDA Extension
Fully cooked, vacuum-sealed, unopened 2 hours max CDC 2 weeks FoodKeeper Extension 1-2 months best quality FoodKeeper Extension Extension
Fully cooked, vacuum-sealed, opened 2 hours max CDC 3-5 days Extension Not stated
Canned, keep refrigerated, unopened 2 hours max CDC 6-9 months safety FDA FoodKeeper Extension Not recommended FoodKeeper FDA
Canned, keep refrigerated, opened 2 hours max CDC 3-5 days safety FDA FoodKeeper Extension 1-2 months best quality FDA Extension
Canned, shelf-stable, unopened 6-9 months FoodKeeper Not stated Not stated
Canned, shelf-stable, opened Not stated 5-14 days FoodKeeper Not stated
Fresh, cook before eating 2 hours max CDC 1 week FoodKeeper 1-2 months best quality FoodKeeper
Country ham Not stated 1 week FoodKeeper 1-2 months best quality FoodKeeper
Uncured, cooked 2 hours max CDC 3-4 days FoodKeeper 3-4 months best quality FoodKeeper
Uncured, uncooked 2 hours max CDC 3-5 days FoodKeeper 6 months best quality FoodKeeper
Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

SourceStateCounter / pantryFridgeFreezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Fully cooked, whole-1 week1-2 months
FDA 2018Fully cooked, whole-7 days1-2 months
Nebraska ExtensionFully cooked, wholeNot recommended1 week1-2 months
CDC 2025Fully cooked, whole2 hours--
FDA 2018Fully cooked, half-3-5 days1-2 months
CDC 2025Fully cooked, half2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Fully cooked, half-1 week1-2 months
FDA 2018Fully cooked, slices or spiral cut-3-4 days1-2 months
Nebraska ExtensionFully cooked, slices or spiral cutNot recommended3-4 days1-2 months
CDC 2025Fully cooked, slices or spiral cut2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Fully cooked, slices or spiral cut-3-4 days1-2 months
Nebraska ExtensionFully cooked, vacuum-sealed, unopenedNot recommended2 weeks1-2 months
CDC 2025Fully cooked, vacuum-sealed, unopened2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Fully cooked, vacuum-sealed, unopened-2 weeks1-2 months
University of Illinois ExtensionFully cooked, vacuum-sealed, unopened--1-2 months
Nebraska ExtensionFully cooked, vacuum-sealed, opened-3-5 days-
CDC 2025Fully cooked, vacuum-sealed, opened2 hours--
FDA 2018Canned, keep refrigerated, unopened-6-9 monthsNot recommended
Nebraska ExtensionCanned, keep refrigerated, unopenedNot recommended6-9 months-
CDC 2025Canned, keep refrigerated, unopened2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Canned, keep refrigerated, unopened-6-9 monthsNot recommended
FDA 2018Canned, keep refrigerated, opened-3-5 days1-2 months
Nebraska ExtensionCanned, keep refrigerated, opened-3-5 days1-2 months
CDC 2025Canned, keep refrigerated, opened2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Canned, keep refrigerated, opened-3-5 days-
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Canned, shelf-stable, unopened6-9 months--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Canned, shelf-stable, opened-5-14 days-
CDC 2025Fresh, cook before eating2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Fresh, cook before eating-1 week1-2 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Country ham-1 week1-2 months
CDC 2025Uncured, cooked2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Uncured, cooked-3-4 days3-4 months
CDC 2025Uncured, uncooked2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Uncured, uncooked-3-5 days6 months

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

  • “Whole cuts of beef, veal, lamb, and pork, including fresh ham 145°F (then allow the meat to rest for 3 minutes” CDC

What the sources say

A whole fully cooked ham keeps 7 days in the refrigerator according to the FDA storage chart, and 1 week according to FoodKeeper and the Nebraska Extension chart.213

Slices and spiral-cut ham go faster: the FDA chart, FoodKeeper and the Nebraska chart all give 3 to 4 days.263

For a half ham the sources differ: FoodKeeper gives 1 week for a bone-in half, the FDA chart gives 3 to 5 days for a half ham, and Nebraska groups store-wrapped half hams with slices at 3 to 4 days.523

Vacuum-sealed ham from the plant keeps until its "Use by" date or 2 weeks unopened in the Nebraska chart, matching the 2 weeks FoodKeeper gives for vacuum-packed boneless ham, and 3 to 5 days once opened.37

Canned ham labeled "Keep Refrigerated" lasts 6 to 9 months unopened in the refrigerator in FoodKeeper, the FDA chart and the Nebraska chart, then 3 to 5 days after opening.91023

The FDA chart says not to freeze that canned ham while it is unopened, and FoodKeeper also lists freezing it as not recommended; once opened, the FDA and Nebraska charts give 1 to 2 months in the freezer.293

Shelf-stable canned ham can be kept in the pantry for 6 to 9 months according to FoodKeeper, and 5 to 14 days in the refrigerator after opening.11

The Nebraska chart marks each of its refrigerated hams, from canned "Keep Refrigerated" ham to store-wrapped and vacuum-sealed fully cooked ham, as not safe at room temperature.3

Fresh ham that must be cooked before eating and country ham both get 1 week in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer in FoodKeeper.1213

FoodKeeper lists uncured ham separately: 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and 3 to 4 months frozen when cooked, and 3 to 5 days and 6 months when uncooked.1415

For frozen fully cooked ham, the FDA chart, the Nebraska chart and the University of Illinois Extension agree on 1 to 2 months, with Illinois naming vacuum-sealed whole, half or sliced ham.238

CDC lists 145 °F as the safe internal temperature for fresh ham, followed by a 3 minute rest before carving or eating.4

Rules that apply here

The 2-hour ruleFridge and freezer temperatureFreezing and refreezingReheating to 165 °F
BaconDeli meatGround beef

Sources

  1. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 83: Ham, fully cooked, bone-in, whole. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Ham, fully cooked, bone-in, whole. DOP_Refrigerate: 1 Weeks; DOP_Freeze: 1-2 Months
  2. REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Ham, fully cooked, whole 7 days 1 - 2 monthsHam, fully cooked, half 3 - 5 days 1 - 2 monthsHam, fully cooked, slices 3 - 4 days 1 - 2 monthsHam, canned, labeled "Keep Refrigerated," unopened 6 - 9 months Don't freeze opened 3 - 5 days 1 - 2 months
  3. Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Ham, fully cooked, store-wrapped, whole Not safe 1 week 1 to 2 monthsHam, fully cooked, store-wrapped, slices, half or spiral cut Not safe 3 to 4 days 1 to 2 monthsHam, fully cooked, vacuum-sealed ... Not safe "Use by" date if available or 2 weeks (unopened); 3 to 5 days (opened) 1 to 2 monthsHam, canned, labeled "Keep Refrigerated" Not safe 6-9 months (unopened); 3-5 days (opened) 1 to 2 months (opened)
  4. Preventing Food Poisoning | Food Safety | CDC. CDC. Dated 2025-11-24. Checked 2026-10-24. Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F).Whole cuts of beef, veal, lamb, and pork, including fresh ham 145°F (then allow the meat to rest for 3 minutes
  5. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 84: Ham, fully cooked, bone-in, half. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Ham, fully cooked, bone-in, half. DOP_Refrigerate: 1 Weeks; DOP_Freeze: 1-2 Months
  6. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 85: Ham, fully cooked, slices, half, or spiral cut. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Ham, fully cooked, slices, half, or spiral cut. DOP_Refrigerate: 3-4 Days; DOP_Freeze: 1-2 Months
  7. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 88: Ham, fully cooked, vacuum packed, boneless. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Ham, fully cooked, vacuum packed, boneless. DOP_Refrigerate: 2 Weeks; DOP_Freeze: 1-2 Months
  8. Freezer Storage | Food Safety | Illinois Extension | Illinois. University of Illinois Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Ham (vacuum-sealed, whole, half, or sliced) 1 to 2 months
  9. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 82: Ham, canned (“keep refrigerated” label). USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Ham, canned (“keep refrigerated” label). DOP_Refrigerate: 6-9 Months; Freeze: Not Recommended
  10. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 87: Ham, fully cooked, canned, boneless (refrigerated). USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Ham, fully cooked, canned, boneless (refrigerated). DOP_Refrigerate: 6-9 Months; Refrigerate_After_Opening: 3-5 Days; DOP_Freeze: 1-2 Months
  11. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 108: Ham, shelf-stable cans. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Ham, shelf-stable cans. DOP_Pantry: 6-9 Months; Refrigerate_After_Opening: 5-14 Days
  12. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 89: Ham, fresh, cook-before-eating, bone-in, whole. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Ham, fresh, cook-before-eating, bone-in, whole. DOP_Refrigerate: 1 Weeks; DOP_Freeze: 1-2 Months
  13. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 97: Ham, country ham (whole or half). USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Ham, country ham (whole or half). DOP_Refrigerate: 1 Weeks; DOP_Freeze: 1-2 Months
  14. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 676: Ham, uncured, fresh, cooked. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Ham, uncured, fresh, cooked. Refrigerate: 3-4 Days; Freeze: 3-4 Months
  15. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 677: Ham, uncured, fresh, uncooked. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Ham, uncured, fresh, uncooked. Refrigerate: 3-5 Days; Freeze: 6 Months