You just got home from the grocery store with a cooked spiral ham, a can of ham, and a whole country ham from the specialty shop. Three hams. Three completely different storage answers. Which ones go in the fridge, which can stay in the pantry, and what happens if you get it wrong?
Does ham need to be refrigerated?
The short answer: Cooked ham, deli-sliced ham, and refrigerated canned ham must be kept cold at all times. Shelf-stable canned ham and whole uncut country ham do not require refrigeration before opening or cutting. The rule: check the label. If it says “Keep Refrigerated,” it must stay cold regardless of type. If it came from a pantry shelf with no refrigeration label, it is shelf-stable until opened or cut.
For more on deli meat and perishable food storage, see the Food Storage Guide.
Key Takeaways
- Cooked whole, spiral, or deli ham: refrigerate at all times, use within 3 to 5 days of opening
- Shelf-stable canned ham (no “Keep Refrigerated” label): pantry until opening, refrigerate after
- Refrigerated canned ham (“Keep Refrigerated” label): fridge at all times, 6 to 9 months
- Whole uncut country ham: up to 1 year at room temperature (USDA)
- Country ham after cutting: refrigerate immediately, use within 1 week
- Left out more than 2 hours: discard cooked or deli ham
Does Cooked Ham Need to Be Refrigerated?
Yes, at all times. Whole cooked hams, spiral-sliced hams, boneless cooked hams, and deli-sliced ham must all be kept refrigerated from purchase through every use. The USDA recommends storing cooked ham at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, cooked ham should be discarded per USDA’s 2-hour perishable food rule.
Most cooked hams you find at the grocery store are fully cooked and can be served cold or reheated. Fully cooked does not mean shelf-stable. The ham is perishable and requires continuous refrigeration despite having been cooked. Even a vacuum-sealed whole cooked ham must stay cold before opening. Once opened or cut, use within 3 to 5 days.
Does Canned Ham Need to Be Refrigerated?
It depends which canned ham you have, and the label tells you directly.
Shelf-stable canned ham has no “Keep Refrigerated” label. It has been processed at high heat to kill all spoilage bacteria and pathogens, making it safe at room temperature for up to 2 years per the USDA ham and food safety guide (some USDA general canned food guidance cites up to 5 years for low-acid canned goods; follow the date on your specific product). These are generally small cans under 3 pounds. Store in a cool, dry pantry away from heat sources. Once opened, refrigerate and use within 3 to 5 days.
Refrigerated canned ham carries a “Keep Refrigerated” label. It has not been fully sterilized and must stay cold at all times. The USDA notes these hams may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 to 9 months. Never store a “Keep Refrigerated” canned ham at room temperature even if the can is unopened. The USDA states explicitly that consuming these canned hams after room-temperature storage may result in foodborne illness.
If you are unsure which type you have: check the label first, then check where it was sold. Shelf-stable canned ham is sold from unrefrigerated grocery shelves. Refrigerated canned ham is sold from the refrigerated meat case.
Does Country Ham Need to Be Refrigerated?
A whole, uncut country ham does not require refrigeration. Per USDA FSIS, a whole uncut country ham can be stored safely at room temperature for up to 1 year. Country hams are dry-cured with salt, which draws out moisture and lowers water activity to a level that prevents pathogenic growth at room temperature. This is the same preservation principle behind dry-cured prosciutto and salami. Virginia hams, Smithfield uncooked country hams, and similar products have been stored unrefrigerated in smokehouses and pantries for centuries precisely because the salt cure makes refrigeration unnecessary.
The critical caveat: once you cut into a country ham and expose the moist interior, refrigerate the cut piece immediately. The surface salt provides protection but the interior is moist. After cutting, use within 1 week.
How to Store Each Type of Ham
Cooked Whole or Spiral Ham
- Keep refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below at all times.
- Store cut side down or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap to limit air exposure.
- Keep on an interior shelf, not the door.
- Use within 3 to 5 days of cutting or opening the packaging.
- For longer storage, slice into portions and freeze within the first day for best quality.
Deli-Sliced Ham
- Refrigerate at all times, opened or unopened.
- After opening, reseal tightly or transfer to an airtight container.
- Store away from raw meat on an interior shelf.
- Use within 3 to 5 days of opening.
- Discard if left out more than 2 hours.
Shelf-Stable Canned Ham
- Store in a cool, dry pantry away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
- Do not store near a stove, in a garage in summer, or in a hot car.
- Good until the manufacturer’s use-by date, up to 2 to 5 years.
- Once opened, refrigerate and use within 3 to 5 days.
- Do not freeze in the can.
Country Ham (Whole, Uncut)
- Store hanging or on a shelf in a cool, well-ventilated space.
- No refrigeration needed for up to 1 year.
- If mold develops on the surface, wash with hot water and scrub off with a stiff vegetable brush per USDA guidance. Do not discard.
- Once cut, wrap the cut face tightly and refrigerate immediately. Use within 1 week.
Recipes That Use Ham
If your cooked ham is approaching the end of its window, use it. The leftover spiral ham croque monsieur is a classic use for holiday leftovers. The ham and egg chilaquiles use diced ham and come together in under 20 minutes. For the USDA’s complete ham safety guidance, see the USDA FSIS hams and food safety page.
Does Ham Need to Be Refrigerated FAQ
FAQ: Can Ham Sit Out at Room Temperature?
Cooked ham, deli-sliced ham, and opened canned ham follow the USDA 2-hour rule: discard if left at room temperature more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90 degrees Fahrenheit). Shelf-stable canned ham (unopened) and whole uncut country ham are the exceptions. Both can sit at room temperature safely for extended periods because they are shelf-stable products.
FAQ: Does Ham Need to Be Refrigerated After Cooking?
Yes. Whether you cooked a fresh ham from scratch, reheated a fully cooked holiday ham, or baked a glaze onto a spiral ham, the cooked ham must be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. Let it cool briefly, then wrap tightly or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. Use within 3 to 5 days. For a large whole ham you will not finish quickly, slice into portions and freeze within the first day.
FAQ: How Long Does Ham Last After Opening?
3 to 5 days for cooked whole, spiral, and deli-sliced ham. 3 to 5 days for opened shelf-stable canned ham. 1 week for country ham after cutting. For a full breakdown of shelf life across all ham types, plus spoilage signs, see does ham go bad.
Further Reading
Better Living may earn commissions through affiliate links and may occasionally feature sponsored or partner content. If you make a purchase through our links, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you.
