How long does ham last in the refrigerator?

6 to 9 months in the refrigerator, counted from the date of purchase, per the USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset. Times assume a refrigerator at or below 40 °F (4 °C).

The USDA FoodKeeper dataset lists this storage method as not recommended for ham.

How Long Does Ham Last?

Meat · 20 preparations · official USDA FoodKeeper guidance, snapshot 2026-07-24

Type or preparation

Storage method

Ham — canned (“keep refrigerated” label) — refrigerator, from date of purchase

6 to 9 months in the refrigerator

Refrigerator at or below 40 °F (4 °C)
Applies from date of purchase · canned (“keep refrigerated” label)

Stored on

Pick a valid date to calculate the recommended use-by window.

Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper (v128, snapshot 2026-07-24) · About this data · Report an issue

FoodStorageCheck — official USDA FoodKeeper guidance · foodstoragecheck.com

All official guidance for ham

Every storage entry the USDA FoodKeeper dataset lists for this food, exactly as published (v128, snapshot 2026-07-24). “No official duration listed” means the source does not provide a number for that combination — not that the food lasts forever.

Ham — canned (“keep refrigerated” label)

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	6 to 9 months
Freezer	general guideline	Not recommended

Ham — fully cooked, bone-in, whole

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	1 week
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — fully cooked, bone-in, half

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	1 week
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — fully cooked, slices, half, or spiral cut

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	3 to 4 days
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — fully cooked, arm picnic shoulder, boneless

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	1 week
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — fully cooked, canned, boneless (refrigerated)

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	6 to 9 months
Refrigerator	after opening	3 to 5 days
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — fully cooked, vacuum packed, boneless

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	2 weeks
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — fresh, cook-before-eating, bone-in, whole

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	1 week
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — fresh, cook-before-eating, bone-in, half

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	1 week
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — fresh, cook-before-eating, shank or butt portion, bone-in

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	1 week
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — fresh, cook-before-eating, arm picnic shoulder, boneless

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	1 week
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — fresh, cook-before-eating, shoulder roll (butt), boneless

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	1 week
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — fresh, uncooked, whole leg, bone-in

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	1 week
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — fresh, uncooked, whole leg, boneless

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	1 week
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — fresh, uncooked, half leg, bone-in

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	1 week
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — country ham (whole or half)

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	1 week
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)

Ham — shelf-stable cans

Where	Condition	Official time
Pantry	from date of purchase	6 to 9 months
Refrigerator	after opening	5 to 14 days

Ham — pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat

Where	Condition	Official time	Notes from the source
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	2 weeks	—
Refrigerator	after opening	3 to 5 days	—
Freezer	general guideline	No official duration listed	Freezing not recommended.
Freezer	from date of purchase	1 to 2 months (best quality)	—

Ham — uncured, fresh, cooked

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	general guideline	3 to 4 days
Freezer	general guideline	3 to 4 months (best quality)

Ham — uncured, fresh, uncooked

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	general guideline	3 to 5 days
Freezer	general guideline	6 months (best quality)

Common questions about ham

How long does ham last in the refrigerator?: 6 to 9 months in the refrigerator, counted from the date of purchase, per the USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset. Times assume a refrigerator at or below 40 °F (4 °C).
Can you freeze ham?: The USDA FoodKeeper dataset lists this storage method as not recommended for ham.

Two reminders that apply here

Keep the fridge at 40 °F (4 °C) or below.Refrigerator times in this dataset assume a refrigerator held at or below 40 °F. An appliance thermometer is the reliable way to check.

The two-hour rule.Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90 °F / 32 °C) should be discarded, per FoodSafety.gov. Storage windows assume food was refrigerated promptly.