HoneyBaked ham is a delicious and popular holiday food that many people enjoy.
The ham is cooked in a glaze, which is often sweet.
The holiday food can be made at home or bought from the store to give as a gift for Christmas and other holidays.
When you buy a whole, uncooked HoneyBaked Ham® from the grocery store, how long do these hams last before they go bad or need to be cooked?
This article will answer how long HoneyBaked ham lasts, store HoneyBaked ham properly, and reheat it.
What is HoneyBaked Ham?
HoneyBaked Ham is the number one name in premium, oven-baked ham.
As a family company founded by Harry J. Hoenselaar and his sons (in 1957), we have been committed to providing you with hams of incomparable quality for over 60 years.
HoneyBaked Ham is the most preferred ham in America, famous for its signature golden crust and tangy taste.
But it’s not just about the flavor.
The hams are crafted with care using only quality ingredients to ensure a cooking process that locks in all of those irresistible flavors, like sweet honey and apple cinnamon, and leaves the ham moist, flavorful, and juicy.
The hams are made in their plant from carefully selected pork cuts of fresh meat cut by hand.
They then slow-bake hams for hours to seal in all that great natural flavor.
No artificial flavors or preservatives are needed.
There are four lovely varieties of HoneyBaked Ham to choose from Classic, Honey Basted, Applewood Smoked, and Hickory Brown Sugar.
All are Slow-Cooked for Maximum Flavor.
How to Store HoneyBaked Ham?
If you have a HoneyBaked Ham and want to store it, you need to do so properly.
HoneyBaked Ham is a type of ham cooked in honey and then baked, giving it its distinctive flavor.
You can store your cooled-down HoneyBaked Ham in the fridge until you are ready to eat it.
If you have many HoneyBaked Hams that need storing, however, then your refrigerator may quickly become crowded.
Put the Hams in a tightly sealed container, making sure to cover them with another food item.
Avoid storing HoneyBaked Ham in the fridge for more than one week; if you are going on vacation or otherwise will not be able to eat your ham within this time frame, then freeze it instead.
Your freezer is a great storage place because honey-baked hams keep their flavor and texture better than other types of ham do when frozen.
It’s best to keep the ham on a tray or baking sheet in the freezer so that it doesn’t shatter.
The freezing process can take up to two hours, but you want your HoneyBaked Ham to be as frozen as possible before storing it.
How Long Does HoneyBaked Ham Last?
HoneyBaked Ham is the perfect holiday dish for any party or get-together.
However, it is important to know how long the ham will last to prepare accordingly and ensure that your guests are not served an expired dish.
The shelf-life of HoneyBaked Ham is determined by two factors: temperature and moisture content.
Temperature affects how long the meat’s natural enzymes can break down the muscle fibers, while moisture content affects how much bacterial growth is possible on its surface.
Generally speaking, HoneyBaked Ham will last for up to ten days when stored at standard refrigerator temperatures of 40°F or below.
For best results, keep your ham in a plastic bag and wrap it securely with a layer of tinfoil before placing it into the fridge.
HoneyBaked also offers a variety of methods for storing ham, including freezing the meat.
Freezing will keep your ham fresh and delicious for up to 6 weeks, according to USDA guidelines.
The added benefit of this storage method is that you can thaw out a portion of frozen ham as needed for any occasion or holiday feast without having to worry about spoilage.
The shelf-life of HoneyBaked Turkey Breast is five to seven days when stored in the fridge.
You must store your turkey breast as cold as possible; also, be sure to place it in a sealed plastic bag and wrap it securely in aluminum foil.
You can also freeze your turkey breast for up to six months, but be sure you thaw out the meat before cooking.
How to Tell if HoneyBaked Ham is Bad?
HoneyBaked Ham is a well-known brand of ham, and when it comes to quality and freshness, they are known for their great work.
It also tastes amazing with an English muffin smothered in butter plus cheese (it’s like heaven).
For lunchtime, you can’t go wrong by ordering HoneyBaked Ham.
Telling if the ham is bad can be tricky because it looks and smells fine most of the time, but some telltale signs might indicate an issue.
Below we’ve outlined a few ways to see if your HoneyBaked ham has gone bad or not.
Check the date of packaging and expiration.
The ham needs to be eaten within a certain time frame after opening, so if you notice that it is expired, then chances are there might be something wrong with your honey baked ham.
The food will also have an off flavor or smell in some cases, which means it’s past its best before date.
You’ll know when it’s bad because it won’t look or taste like fresh meat should.
Check the texture of the ham.
If it is slimy (or has a sliminess to it), this can indicate spoilage.
Also, look for discolorations on the surface and any mold growing, which could also mean something wrong with the ham.
It’s best to discard a meat product that has been overly salted not to eat spoiled food.
Other less harmful ingredients like sugar can also cause some minor browning which usually isn’t an issue but either way worth checking out.
How to Reheat HoneyBaked Ham?
It’s easy to reheat HoneyBaked Ham, whether you have a whole or half ham.
Follow the instructions below for an oven-to-oven option, or use your microwave if that is more convenient.
- Preheat the oven and place in at 325°F.
- Remove from packaging and place on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes (check at 30 minutes to ensure the ham is not overcooked).
- Remove from oven, then cover with paper towels, loosely tenting it so that steam can escape.
- Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.
- For leftovers: allow up to 24 hours of refrigeration time + reheating per instructions above.
To reheat using the microwave:
- Remove from packaging and place on a microwave-safe dish or plate.
- Cover loosely with paper towels, and then place in the microwave for 15-30 seconds depending on the desired level of crispiness.
- Check again after a few more minutes to ensure ham is not overcooked.
- For leftovers: allow up to 24 hours of refrigeration time + reheating per instructions above.
For an extra crispy exterior, brush the top surface layer with melted honey before baking or microwaving your dish.
Avoid re-thawing your ham in the oven.
This can result in a dry, overcooked product that is not as tasty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, HoneyBaked Ham is a delicious dish that can be enjoyed for various occasions.
The flavors are always perfect, and the sides are consistently good.
The length of time a HoneyBaked Ham will last vary based on how it is stored, but typically these dishes have an expiration date ranging from 5 to 10 days if kept in a fridge or other cool place.
You can freeze the ham for up to 6 weeks, and there are instructions on the package on how to thaw it.
How Long Does HoneyBaked Ham Last? Does HoneyBaked Ham Go Bad?
Ingredients
- HoneyBaked Ham
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
- If frozen, thaw in the fridge before use. Always check for signs of spoilage before using.
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