How To Freeze Ham

To save both time and money, many people choose to freeze some of the dishes they cook. One such dish that can be frozen is ham. However, there are a few things to consider before deciding whether or not this is something you want to do. This article discusses why you should freeze ham and what type of ham you can freeze.

The post may contain affiliate links. For more information, check my disclosure.

Why Should You Freeze Ham?

Freezing ham is a great way to ensure that you don’t overbuy and have an excess of pork in your fridge or freezer. It also keeps the meat from spoiling as quickly as it would if you didn’t freeze it.

The lack of oxygen in an airtight storage container like Tupperware prevents harmful bacteria from flourishing. There are also other reasons to freeze ham:

• Drying out during freezing. 
• Preventing over spoiling.
• Make leftovers to use later in another dish (e.g., chicken and ham pie).
• Storage.

Lastly, hams should be frozen within 24 – 48 hours after they were cooked, as they start to dry out once they are cut.

Can You Freeze Sliced Ham?

Yes, you can freeze sliced ham. In fact, this is a good way to keep the ham from spoiling quickly. However, if you freeze the whole piece of ham like a bone-in one, it will last much longer than just freezing slices. Once you slice the meat into smaller portions, it will deteriorate more quickly once frozen.

How To Freeze Ham On The Bone

You can freeze raw ham on the bone; however, you will have to remove the bones before freezing. This is important because the bigger chunks of meat attached to the bone will take much longer to defrost. Before putting it in the freezer, remove one meat section around the bone and place it on a dish in your freezer.

This is so that any additional water or juices that flow out of the meat will collect in this dish rather than ruining your freezer. After you have finished removing all bones from ham, wrap them up and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.

You can also wrap the ham in paper towels or place plastic wrap between each slice. This will help keep other bacteria from growing on the slices, or wrapping paper towels around them is an easy way to keep them away from each other during longer storage periods.

How To Freeze Ham Hocks

When you freeze hams, you can also freeze the hocks. Ham hock is the lower portion of the leg of the pig before it is processed for its meat. You can freeze ham hocks by first steeping them in a solution of water and vinegar for several hours or overnight to remove any bacteria present. This will also kill any insects that may have entered into it when the pig was alive. After you dry them out, place them in freezer bags and put them in your freezer.

Using Cooked Ham After Freezing

You can use cooked ham after freezing. When thawing any frozen ham, it is recommended to do so in the microwave or cold water to avoid a mushy or dry texture. There is also the option of reheating it in the microwave or slow cooking it in your crockpot for a few hours.

Ham that is frozen can be used in a number of ways. For example:

• Sandwiches.
• Salads and soups.
• Omelets.
• Quiche.

The Bottom Line

Freezing ham is a good way to keep the meat from spoiling quickly, making it last longer and more convenient to store. Freezing ham is also great because it lets you purchase only what you need and use the excess later, not wasting any food. This also keeps the price down by letting you stock up on it when it goes on sale or freezes a whole ham purchased at a discount price. I hope this guide gave you vast information about how to freeze ham with no fuss.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions