habituate these Test Kitchen tips to freeze ham and never rent leftovers go to wastefulness .
When it fall to family gatherings ( specially around the holidays ) , a giant make ham is often the centerpiece of the dinner table . But if you end up with a lot of remnant and do n’t want it to go to waste , can you freeze ham ? The short result is yes . freeze ham is a great way to verify youreduce kitchen wasteand do n’t drop off any of that delectable core you invested so much time ( and money ) into preparing for the family . Whether it ’s tonic , cooked , or slit , we ’ve got the info on how to suspend ham actor so it lasts longer and stays sample great once it ’s time toenjoy the jambon leftovers .
Can You Freeze Ham? Here’s How
Fresh , cooked , cured , country — there are so many types of ham actor . Can you immobilise ham , no matter what type ? Yes , but it can be hard to determine the best direction to stop dead it . If the ham is unopened , you’re able to freeze it in its original publicity . When freezingleftover ham(whole or slice ) , here are some tips to follow :
Test Kitchen Tip : The higher the quality of ham , the unspoilt it freeze . To know you ’re buy a high-pitched - character ham ( see thetypes of falsify hamin our guide ) , ward off label that take “ water added ” or name containing “ water merchandise . ” Hams without water will maintain the original grain better after thawing . freeze ham with more urine can produce ice crystal . This creates a more lacy grain in the jambon when melt .
How Long Does Ham Last in the Freezer?
Technically , freezing ham will keep it safe indefinitely , but it might not taste skilful after years of sitting in the deep freezer . To influence how long frozen ham lasts and maintains its quality , here ’s whatfoodsafety.govsays :
Thawing Ham
After freezing the ham , the thawing time will depend on the size of it and character of the gammon . Give great size at least two to three days to warming in the fridge step by step . Once dissolve , ham will last in the fridge for three to four Day . Or use our Test Kitchen ’s tip toreheat hamin 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
Putting a frosty ham directly into the oven is dependable if you do n’t have fourth dimension to deice it . Plan to cook it about 50 percent longer than a fully defrosted ham . For example , a whole , defrost , bone - in smoke hammight take 18 to 22 min in the oven , while a frozen , bone - in smoked ham will take 28 to 32 arcminute to reach the recommended 160 degrees Fahrenheit .
If your defrosted ham has not been in the refrigerator for more than three or four days , you may refreeze it — but be aware that the grain of the meat may suffer a minuscule . Since freezing ham snap the cellular phone structures of the meat , refreezing it will only intensify the subject by come apart down even more cells and leaving the meat drying agent .
As you would withfrozen tofuorfrozen chicken , for representative , freezing veteran or marinated gammon can really help to evolve a deep flavor and texture , whether it ’s cooked , uncured , or fresh . Simply , time of year or marinate your small-arm of ham ( whole or cut ) before following the instructions above for freeze it .
Credit: Jason Donnelly
