What to do with leftover ham (and how long it lasts)

Short answer: Sliced, half or spiral cooked ham keeps 3–5 days in the fridge and 1–2 months in the freezer. A whole cooked ham keeps about 1 week in the fridge. Fresh (uncured) ham you cooked yourself keeps 3–4 days in the fridge and 3–4 months frozen (FoodSafety.gov cold storage chart).

8 ways to use it up

1. Breakfast hash. Brown diced ham with leftover potatoes and onion, then top with a fried egg.
2. Ham and cheese omelet. Fold chopped ham and any cheese into eggs for a quick breakfast or dinner.
3. Split pea or bean soup. Simmer the bone or chopped ham with dried split peas or beans, onion and carrot.
4. Fried rice. Toss diced ham into fried rice with frozen peas and a splash of soy sauce.
5. Pasta bake. Stir ham and peas into a creamy pasta, top with cheese and bake until bubbling.
6. Sliders. Layer thin slices on small rolls with Swiss cheese and warm them in the oven.
7. Quiche. Use chopped ham with spinach or broccoli in a simple egg and milk quiche.
8. Freeze it in portions. Slice or dice what you won't eat in a few days and freeze it in meal-size bags.

How long it keeps

Common questions

Related

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• More use-it-up ideas
• Full fridge and freezer chart

Storage times: FoodSafety.gov cold storage chart. Recipe ideas are general suggestions. General information, not medical advice.