How long does ham last once opened?
Ham (pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat, opened) keeps 3-5 days in the refrigerator and 1-2 months in the freezer.
Fridge
After opening
3-5days
Freezer
Can be frozen: yes
1-2months
Pantry
No known time
-
Mine has been in the fridge for
Refreeze after thawing in the fridge?
- United States
- Yes
- United Kingdom
- Only after cooking
How long does ham last in the refrigerator?
- Pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat, opened3-5 daysAfter opening
Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.
Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.
Other forms
| Form | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelf-stable cans | - | - | 6-9 months |
| Shelf-stable cans, opened | - | 1-2 months | - |
| Pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat | 2 weeks | 1-2 months | - |
| Uncured, fresh, cooked | 3-4 days | 3-4 months | - |
| Uncured, fresh, uncooked | 3-5 days | 6 months | - |
| Canned (“keep refrigerated” label) | 6-9 months | - | - |
| Canned (“keep refrigerated” label), opened | 3-5 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Fully cooked, bone-in, whole | 1 week | 1-2 months | - |
| Fully cooked, bone-in, half | 3-5 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Fully cooked, slices, half, or spiral cut | 3-4 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Fully cooked, arm picnic shoulder, boneless | 1 week | 1-2 months | - |
| Fully cooked, canned, boneless (refrigerated) | 6-9 months | - | - |
| Fully cooked, canned, boneless (refrigerated), opened | 3-5 days | - | - |
| Fully cooked, vacuum packed, boneless | 2 weeks | 1-2 months | - |
| Fresh, cook-before-eating, bone-in, whole | 5-7 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Fresh, cook-before-eating, bone-in, half | 5-7 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Fresh, cook-before-eating, shank or butt portion, bone-in | 5-7 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Fresh, cook-before-eating, arm picnic shoulder, boneless | 5-7 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Fresh, cook-before-eating, shoulder roll (butt), boneless | 5-7 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Fresh, uncooked, whole leg, bone-in | 3-5 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Fresh, uncooked, whole leg, boneless | 3-5 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Fresh, uncooked, half leg, bone-in | 3-5 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Country ham (whole or half) | - | 1-2 months | - |
| General guidance | - | 1-2 months | - |
| Cured cook-before-eating, after cooking | - | 1-2 months | - |
| Country ham, cooked | 7 days | 1 month | - |
| Country ham, uncooked, cut | 2-3 months | 1 month | - |
| Cured, cook-before-eating, uncooked | 5-7 days | 3-4 months | - |
| Cooked, store-wrapped, half | 3-5 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Cooked, store-wrapped, whole | 7 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Fully cooked, vacuum-sealed at plant, opened | 3-5 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Fully cooked, vacuum-sealed at plant, unopened | 2 weeks | 1-2 months | - |
What the official sources say
“Lunch Meat Ham, Sealed at Plant, After Opening 3 to 5 days 1 to 2 months”
“Luncheon meats, unopened 2 weeks 1-2 months opened 3-5 days”
“Hotdogs, luncheon meats (opened) 3-7 days”
“A package of lunch meat that has been opened should be used within 3 to 5 days of refrigerated storage.”
Sources
We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last verified: October 1, 2026.
- FoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart US
- Food Standards Agency - consumer food hygiene guidance GB
- Kansas State University Research and Extension US
- Utah State University Extension US
- University of Georgia Extension US
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension US
- UConn Extension US
- Wyoming Department of Health US
- Clemson University Extension US
- National Center for Home Food Preservation US
- North Dakota State University Extension US
- Ohio State University Extension US
- Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech) US
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension US
- Oregon State University Extension US
- USDA FSIS FoodKeeper data US
- USDA FSIS Safe Food Handling and Preparation US