How long does ham last?
Unopened, it keeps in the fridge for about 2 weeks. Once opened, it keeps in the fridge for about 3 days.
Product: Sliced cooked ham in a vacuum pack.
Shelf life of ham at a glance
| Storage | Unopened | Opened |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge | 2 weeks | 3 days |
| Freezer | 1 month | – |
Keep unopened packages in the fridge and go by the use-by date. Once opened, move the ham to a well-sealed container; ham from the deli counter should be eaten within 2 days. Throw it out once the surface turns slimy or it smells sour. Dry-cured ham bought in one piece keeps much longer.
Does ham go bad?
Food past its date has not necessarily gone bad. The times on this page are guideline values for food stored properly. In the US, date labels are not required by federal law (infant formula is the exception), and most of them describe quality, not safety. A "Best if Used By" date is not an expiration date, and many products are still fine after it. A "Sell By" date is meant for the store, not for you. Look at the food and smell it before you taste a little. Mold, an off smell or a bulging can or lid means it goes in the trash. Take a "Use By" date on perishables such as meat, fish, deli meats and dairy seriously: eat or freeze them by that date.