Use it up · Meats and poultry

Ham

Have extra ham? Here’s how to choose, store and prep ham, plus 6 family recipes to use it all up, best matches first.

🍽 See the recipes 🧺 Pick a few things you have

🛒 Choosing it

Most ham sold is fully cooked; the label says so. Spiral-cut ham is sliced for you.

🧊 Storing it

Fridge: 3 to 5 days for slices, half or spiral-cut; 1 week whole
Freezer: 1 to 2 months for best quality

Keep the fridge at 40°F or below and the freezer at 0°F. Freezer times are for best quality; food kept frozen at 0°F stays safe. When in doubt, throw it out. Times from FoodSafety.gov.

🔪 Prepping it

Fully cooked ham only needs warming; reheat it to 140°F (or 165°F for leftovers). Save the bone for bean soup.

📊 Nutrition per 100 g

Ham steak. 100 g is about 3 1/2 ounces.

Calories	164 kcal	8%
Protein	17 g	33%
Total fat	8.8 g	11%
Saturated fat	0.5 g	2%
Total carbohydrate	3.6 g	1%
Dietary fiber	1.3 g	5%
Total sugars	1.0 g
Sodium	814 mg	35%
Calcium	24 mg	2%
Iron	1.0 mg	6%
Potassium	287 mg	6%

% Daily Value for adults (FDA). From USDA FoodData Central 173864 (SR Legacy).

🍽 Recipes that use it up

6 recipes, the ones that use the most ham first.

With a smaller amount

Vegetable Fried Rice22 min · serves 4 · dinner, lunch ⚡ quick🧒 kid-friendly🥕 vegetarian

Plan them into your week in the meal planner, or find recipes for two or three things at once with the “What can I make?” picker.

More meats and poultry

Ground beef Beef steak Beef roast and stew meat Chicken Ground turkey and chicken Turkey breast Pork chops and tenderloin Pork roast and ribs Ground pork Sausage Bacon Lamb All ingredients →

Storage times and buying tips are general guides from the sources below; follow any date or instructions on the package. Cook meat, poultry, fish and eggs to the USDA safe temperatures in each recipe.