It’s Christmas Eve, and you’ve picked up your prized Christmas ham. It’s enormous, far too large for the amount of people you have coming over for lunch tomorrow. Will it fit in the oven? Hope so. How long does ham last in the fridge again? How long will you be eating leftover ham? It’s ham bedlam!
Gourmet Traveller’s food editor Maxwell Adey has plenty of holiday tips and tricks to ensure your porcine centrepiece remains impressive well after Christmas Day. From how to store ham correctly to creative ways to use the cured meat on Boxing Day and beyond.
Here’s our food editor’s guide to all your leftover Christmas ham dilemmas.
How long does ham last in the fridge?
Cooked ham should keep in the fridge for up to two weeks, if stored correctly.
Because Christmas ham has been cured, it’s dried and has a low moisture content, which helps prevent bacteria growth. According to the CSIRO, cured meat can last around two weeks when stored between 0–3˚C. So, it’s best to store it in the coldest part of the fridge.
So, how do I store ham?
“My preferred way to store leftover Christmas ham in the fridge is with a ham bag,” says Adey. “The majority of ham bags use a premium calico cloth, which is ideal for ham storage. Plus, many Christmas hams from quality butchers often come with a ham bag, or have them available for purchase.”
To prep your ham bag, soak it in a mixture of 1L water and 2 tbsp white vinegar, then wring out the excess. Place the whole ham leg in the ham bag, enclosing the end by wrapping it under the ham, and store it in the refrigerator.
Repeat the soaking process of the ham bag (without the ham inside it) every two to three days, or when the bag dries out. This will help keep your ham as fresh as possible.
There are also two important things to remember when storing ham:
- For freshness and longevity, it’s best to store ham on the bone. So when serving, carve to the size of your crowd. You can always carve more as needed.
- Refrigerate as soon as possible. Leaving ham at room temperature can increase the risk of spoilage. According to the NSW Food Authority’s recommended 2-hour/4-hour rule, you can still eat your ham on the day if it’s been left out of the fridge for 2–4 hours. But after that, it shouldn’t be consumed.
What can I use instead of a ham bag?
A large, clean tea towel or a cotton pillowcase are great substitutes for a ham bag.
“As a ham bag is often made from calico, using everyday household items such as linen tea towels or old cotton pillowcases is perfectly fine,” says Adey. “Just soak as above for the best results.”
Are there any other ways to keep ham in the fridge?
It’s best to keep ham whole and on the bone, as this way will keep it the freshest for longer. However, if fridge space is at a premium, slice ham into the largest portions possible and either cover it with plastic wrap or aluminium foil and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
How can you tell if ham is spoiled?
The first sign of spoilage is smell. Fresh ham should be salty and smoky. So if your ham has a scent that is sour, rancid, sulphuric or ammoniacal, it is time to throw it out.
Texture-wise, ham should be firm and moist, whereas if it’s slimy, sticky, or tacky, it is spoiled. Plus, visual cues such as dark-coloured patches and mould are also good indicators that it’s time to throw out your ham.
“If in doubt, throw it out,” says Adey.”
Can you freeze ham?
“Yes, you can absolutely freeze ham.” Adey recommends freezing it sooner rather than later to retain freshness. A good rule of thumb is that ham should last in the freezer for up to six months. Once you thaw ham, though, it must be used within three to four days and cannot be refrozen.
Store by portioning into desired amounts before freezing so you can defrost the frozen ham as required and reduce any food waste. Wrap ham in aluminium foil and place in a freezer bag, labelling the bag with the contents and date.
Christmas ham leftover ideas
- Make ham stock or soups like pea and ham soup or ham hock minestrone and freeze for winter
- Make ham hock ramen
- Swap guanciale for leftover ham in spaghetti carbonara
- Make bruschetta with tomato, stracciatella and basil; charred asparagus with crushed peas; or shaved fennel, fig, radicchio, and mint drizzled with aged balsamic vinaigrette
- Make ham hock terrine or persillade for an easy starter for summer lunches
- Add to omelettes, quiches, and frittata
- Coarsely chop and add to pie fillings, such as chicken and mushroom; leek, pea and tarragon; or triple-cheese
- Add to fried rice for easy weeknight meals
- Add to your ham and cheese toasties, croque monsieur or jaffles
- Make muffuletta, the Sicilian ham, cheese and antipasti mega sandwich
- Add to potato rosti, croquette and empanada fillings
- Add to your favourite cold potato salad
- Cut into steaks and grill or pan-fry as an easy substitute for pork cutlets and chops
- Add to dumpling filling by combining with chopped prawn mince, spring onion, ginger, garlic and sesame oil
12 recipes for leftover Christmas ham
Beetroot and ham salad with sour cherry dressing
Kylie Kwong’s Christmas fried rice
Ham and provolone mac and cheese with fried egg
Ham and cheese toasties with quick-pickled cucumber
Cauliflower piccalilli with ham and buttermilk biscuits
Darren Robertson’s shaved zucchini salad with Christmas ham and macadamias
Ham tamales
The Hawaiian
Cuban sandwiches
Grilled pork with pineapple and curry vinaigrette
Banh mi thịt (Vietnamese pork roll)
Ham steaks with fried egg and chilli tamarind sauce
