Hillshire Farm is one of the most popular brands of ham in the United States. Known for their quality deli meats and sausages, Hillshire Farm offers a variety of ham products from smoked ham slices to their famous spiral sliced half ham. But how long does this tasty ham stay fresh?
The shelf life of Hillshire Farm ham depends largely on three factors
- Type of ham product
- Proper storage
- Handling and preparation
Follow these guidelines to maximize the shelf life of your Hillshire Farm ham
Different Types of Hillshire Farm Ham
Hillshire Farm produces many styles of ham each with their own storage needs
Hillshire Farm Deli Ham
This includes sliced hams like their Black Forest ham and Honey ham found pre-packaged in the deli section. An unopened package stored in the fridge will last 7-10 days past the sell by date. After opening, sliced deli ham lasts 3-5 days.
For optimal freshness, keep deli ham stored at 40°F or below. You can also freeze deli ham slices for 2-3 months in a freezer safe wrap or bag.
Hillshire Farm Whole Boneless Ham
An unopened vacuum sealed whole boneless ham can last unopened in the fridge for 7-10 days past the sell by date.
For longer storage, a whole boneless ham keeps well in a freezer at 0°F for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Hillshire Farm Half Ham/Spiral Sliced Ham
An unopened spiral sliced half ham stays fresh for 7-10 days past the sell by date when properly refrigerated.
For maximum freshness, use frozen spiral cut half ham within 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before heating to serve.
Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage & Kielbasa
Unopened packages of Hillshire Farm smoked sausages and kielbasa keep for 2-3 weeks past the sell by date when stored at 40°F or below.
These smoked sausages can also be frozen for 1-2 months at 0°F. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking as directed.
Proper Refrigerator Storage
To optimize the shelf life of your Hillshire Farm ham:
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Refrigerate ham at 40°F or below soon after purchasing.
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Keep ham in original packaging until ready to use.
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Do not open ham package until you are ready to eat it. Opening exposes ham to air and dries it out faster.
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Once opened, rewrap ham tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Limit air exposure.
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Use opened sliced ham within 3-5 days.
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Store ham on a shelf rather than in the door, which is warmer.
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Check sell by date for guidance, but also rely on sight and smell. Discard if moldy, sticky, or smelly.
Freezer Storage Tips
Freezing extends the shelf life of Hillshire Farm ham. Follow these tips:
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Freeze ham in original packaging or rewrap tightly in freezer bags, plastic wrap, or foil.
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Portion ham into servings so you can thaw only what you need.
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Remove as much air from packaging as possible to prevent freezer burn.
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Label freezer bags with contents and date.
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Use frozen ham within recommended time (1-3 months for most types).
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Thaw ham overnight in the fridge before using. Do not thaw at room temperature.
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Do not refreeze thawed ham. Cook within 3-5 days.
Handling Cooked Ham Safely
How you handle cooked ham also impacts its shelf life. Keep these food safety tips in mind:
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Cook raw ham to an internal temperature of 145°F as measured by a food thermometer.
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Do not eat raw or undercooked ham, as it can make you ill.
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Discard any ham that is sitting out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
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When serving a ham meal, carve off meat as needed instead of slicing the whole ham.
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Promptly refrigerate or freeze leftover cooked ham in shallow airtight containers.
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Use cooked ham within 3-4 days for optimum freshness. It may last up to 7 days if properly stored.
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Reheat cooked ham to 165°F before eating to kill any bacteria.
Signs Your Hillshire Farm Ham Has Spoiled
Always inspect your Hillshire Farm ham before eating and do not consume it if you notice any of the following:
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Slimy texture or sticky surface
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Grey, green, or rainbow discoloration
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Mold growth – discard ham immediately if you see this
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Unpleasant sour or ammonia smell
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Significantly passed expiration date
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Never rely on taste, smell, or appearance alone to determine if ham is safe. When in doubt, throw it out!
Discard spoiled ham products in the trash rather than risk foodborne illness.
Expiration Date vs. Sell By Date
Knowing the difference between expiration and sell by dates can help prevent wasting ham that is still fresh and safe to eat.
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Sell by date – Recommended date for stores to sell ham by. Ham is still safe to eat for a period after this date.
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Expiration date – The last date ham should be considered fresh. Do not eat expired ham.
As a general rule, you can safely enjoy Hillshire Farm deli meats for 7-10 days and fresh ham for 3-5 days beyond the printed sell by date if properly stored. Always rely on your senses too.
Extending Shelf Life
You can extend the shelf life of Hillshire Farm ham with these tips:
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Purchase ham with furthest away sell by dates.
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Follow all storage instructions carefully.
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Use ham within recommended time frames.
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Portion deli ham into servings to avoid exposing the entire package to air after opening.
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Wrap ham tightly before freezing.
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Monitor freezer temperature to keep ham at 0°F.
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Cook ham thoroughly and refrigerate leftovers quickly in shallow containers.
With proper refrigeration and freezing, you can enjoy delicious Hillshire Farm ham for days or even months after purchasing. Follow these guidelines on storage, handling, and expiration dates when stocking up on your favorite Hillshire Farm ham products.
Shelf Life and Storage Tips
If you want to know how long Hillshire Farm Ultra Thin Sliced Honey (What wine goes well with honey?) Ham will last, you need to know how to store and preserve it. Hillshire Farms honey ham is a deli meat that is meant to be easy to use and ready to eat. This makes it a popular choice for quick meals and sandwiches (what wine goes well with sandwiches?). However, deli meats like this ham come with a set of guidelines to ensure freshness and safety. If you don’t open the package, this ultra-thin sliced ham should stay fresh in the fridge until the date written on the package.
Once the package is opened, the hams longevity can vary. Its generally recommended to consume open deli meat within three to five days for optimal quality and safety. To extend the lifespan of Hillshire Farm Ultra Thin Sliced Honey Ham after opening, proper storage is crucial. It should be kept in its original packaging or securely wrapped so that it doesn’t get too much air, which can make it go bad faster. By keeping the ham in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, you can make sure it keeps its quality and flavor and stays safe to eat.
Hillshire Farms Ultra Thin Sliced Honey Ham is known for having the right amount of quality and flavor to make sandwiches and meals taste even better. The products characteristics and ingredients reflect the brands commitment to taste and customer satisfaction.
Tyson Foods’ Hillshire Farm brand has made a name for itself in the market as a provider of high-quality deli meats. They put a lot of care and attention into making meals and making sure that their products don’t have any added flavors or preservatives.
After being slow-roasted for hours, this ham is sliced very thin to get the perfect balance of taste and texture. The honey ham is distinguished by its touch of sweetness, providing a hearty option for lunch. Each serving makes it simple for consumers to enjoy a flavorful meal.
Hillshire Farms Ultra Thin Sliced Honey Ham has a clear list of ingredients that make sure the product is both tasty and reliable. Key ingredients include:
- Ham: Carefully selected for its quality and taste
- Honey: Adds a natural sweetness to the ham
- Vinegar, Sugar, Salt: Used to enhance flavor and preserve freshness
- Sodium Phosphate: Helps maintain moisture and texture
- Dextrose: Mild sweetener derived from corn
- Natural Flavorings: Complements the ham’s taste without artificial additives
- Nitrates found naturally in celery juice powder make it a natural preservative.
- Sea Salt and Citric Acid: These add to the flavor of the ham and keep it fresh.
With a focus on health, the product is also gluten-free and crafted to minimize additives while preserving quality. Since the ham is made with natural ingredients and seasonings, it promises to be tasty with fewer preservatives.
When examining Hillshire Farm Ultra Thin Sliced Honey Ham, the essential nutritional aspects to consider are the serving size and caloric content, sodium levels, and the daily nutritional value contributions of these servings.
Serving Size and Calories
The standard serving size for Hillshire Farm Ultra Thin Sliced Honey Ham is four slices (53 grams). Within this serving size, consumers can expect to intake approximately 70 calories.
Sodium is a significant nutrient to monitor in processed meats. A single serving of Hillshire Farm Honey Ham has 570 milligrams of sodium, which is a big chunk of the daily recommended amount.
Each serving gives you a different mix of the daily values for important nutrients, which you can understand like this:
- A serving of food contains approximately 55% protein, which helps keep muscles healthy and encourages growth.
- In terms of iron, the exact amount of iron in ham is not given, but it is well known that iron is important for making blood and moving oxygen around the body.
People should know that while ham does contain some important nutrients, it also has a lot of sodium, which should be taken into account when planning a healthy diet.
Don’t Waste it! Deli Meat – How long does it really last
FAQ
Is ham still good after 7 days?
How long does packaged sliced ham last in the fridge?
How long is Hillshire deli meat good for after opening?
How long can you keep a whole uncooked ham in the refrigerator?
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Food
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Type
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Refrigerator [40°F (4°C) or below]
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Ham
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Fresh, uncured, uncooked
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3 to 5 days
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Fresh, uncured, cooked
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3 to 4 days
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Cured, cook-before-eating, uncooked
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5 to 7 days or “use by” date
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Fully-cooked, vacuum-sealed at plant, unopened
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2 weeks or “use by” date
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How long does a ham last after the sell by date?
Unopened ham – 1 to 2 weeks past the sell by date as long as it’s been refrigerated properly. The use by date allows even more wiggle room. Opened ham – 5 to 7 days past the sell by date if stored in the fridge. Only reheat fully cooked ready-to-eat hams like deli slices. Freezing ham enables it to last up to 4 months past any printed date.
How long can unopened ham deli meat be left at room temperature?
How long can an unopened package of ham deli meat be left at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; ham deli meat should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
How long can a spiral cut Ham stay in the fridge?
Spiral-cut hams and leftovers from consumer-cooked hams may be stored in the refrigerator three to five days or frozen one to two months. Keep your refrigerator at 40 °F or less and your freezer at or near 0 °F. See also Ham and Food Safety.
Who is Hillshire Farm?
Thank you for your interest in our company. Hillshire Farm brand is part of the Tyson Foods family of brands. Tyson Foods works with a wide range of professionals, academic institutions, and industry groups to advance animal agricultural research and best practices for animal welfare throughout the supply chain.