The Kirkland Signature Spiral Sliced Ham is a popular item at Costco, and this review is always one of the most-read on the site. I was interested in the Costco Kirkland Signature Applewood Smoked Master Carve Ham because it looked like its well-known sibling. Is it as good as the Kirkland Signature Spiral Sliced Ham?.
Today I’m reviewing the Costco Kirkland Signature Applewood Smoked Master Carve Ham. My husband actually pointed out this product to me and suggested we try it. Our favorite Costco ham is the spiral-sliced ham, so we haven’t tried any of their other hams until now.
You can find this in the refrigerated deli section at Costco, near the cold cuts and cheese. The item number is 16020.
The ham smells great! As soon as I opened the box, I could smell a strong, smokey smell that I love. The ham has minimal fat on it. There isn’t much left in the dish after baking! The ham isn’t dry at all, even though it doesn’t have much fat on it. It’s not super moist though. Nearly the entire ham is good-quality edible meat. The amount of gristle and fat is negligible.
The flavor of the ham is excellent. I love the rich smokiness of the ham. It reminds me a bit of tasty bacon, but much less greasy. You could have made me believe that my ham was cooked in a smoker or on a grill even though I just baked it. It’s super flavorful.
I think I like this ham more than the original Kirkland Signature Spiral Sliced Ham. I would have to taste them next to each other to be sure. Some people say it’s less fatty and has more flavor than that ham, which I already liked because it wasn’t too fatty. I said the same thing about that ham, but I really enjoy the Kirkland Signature Master Carve Ham!
The cost is dependent on the weight of the ham you’re buying, the ham I purchased is $16. 60 Canadian.
It’s very simple to bake! I used a glass baking dish and put aluminum foil over the ham to cook it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour. I used my thermometer to check the internal temperature to ensure my ham was done!.
The ham is boneless and fully cooked, so it’s easy to cut. I was surprised at how little fat or grease was in the bottom of the baking dish after baking the ham.
Not as big as the spiral-sliced ham, but the Costco Kirkland Signature Applewood Smoked Master Carve ham still has a lot of ham. It’s enough for four adults to have dinner, and there’s plenty left over to make frittata, split pea soup, and ham ala king. The ham pairs well with scalloped or mashed potatoes, a side of vegetables and a salad!.
You have three to five days to use the ham after it’s been cooked, even if you have leftovers. If you’re not going to be able to finish it before five days I recommend freezing it.
The ham has a “best before” date that is about two months from the date we bought it, so it needs to be kept in the fridge. If you’re not going to use it by the best before date I would suggest freezing it.
There are 150 calories, 6 grams of fat, 680 mg of sodium, 3 grams of carbs, 0 grams of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 21 grams of protein in 100 grams of ham. That is a lot of sodium in a small amount of ham, so if you’re watching how much sodium you eat, you might want to eat less of it!
The ingredients are ham, simple sugar and preservatives used in cooked or cured meat. Even though ham isn’t the healthiest meat, this one has a lot of protein and is gluten-free, which is great for people who shop at Costco and have celiac disease.
I would buy it again, but the Kirkland Signature Spiral Sliced Ham is much bigger, so that’s probably still the best choice for a bigger party (more than six people).
Please note that this review was not paid for or sponsored by any third party. This product was purchased by Costcuisine for the purpose of producing this review. The opinions in this review are strictly those of Costcuisine. Costcuisine is not affiliated with Costco or any of its suppliers. According to Costcuisine, if a product manufacturer or other third party pays them for a post, they will make it clear what the deal is. This includes cases where the product manufacturer gives Costcuisine a free sample of the product.
Hi, I’m Natalie! Costcuisine is a website for Costco-loving foodies like me. Costcuisine isn’t associated with Costco in any way though. I help Costco fans find the best stuff in their local warehouses. I also give you useful information about the products I sell, like how to cook them (in case you throw away the package by accident, like I do a lot of the time!) and nutrition facts. Learn More.
As a budget-savvy shopper, I love grabbing a tasty, affordable spiral cut ham at Costco for holiday meals and Sunday dinners. But I’m always curious how long a Costco ham will actually last at its best.
With proper storage methods, you can extend the shelf life of Costco hams to get the most for your money. In this ultimate guide, learn how long you can keep your Costco ham fresh, how to store it, signs of spoilage, freezing guidelines, and answers to frequently asked questions.
How Long Does an Unopened Costco Ham Last?
An unopened, whole Costco spiral cut ham typically has a sell-by date about 2 months from the packaging date. If sealed and continuously refrigerated, the ham lasts for the duration of that 2 month timeframe
So you can stock up on holiday hams well ahead of time! Just leave the Costco ham in its original packaging and store in the refrigerator until ready to cook and serve,
Unopened hams may last 1-2 weeks beyond the sell-by date, but it’s best to stick to that date for peak freshness and flavor.
Once opened, the ham must be used within 5-7 days.
Does Freezing Extend the Shelf Life?
Yes, freezing an unopened Costco ham can prolong its shelf life significantly.
While refrigerated hams last around 2 months, a frozen spiral ham stays fresh for up to 4-6 months past the packaged date.
To freeze a whole, uncooked Costco ham:
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Leave ham sealed in original netting and packaging.
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Wrap the entire ham package in another layer or place in a freezer bag.
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Squeeze out excess air and seal tightly.
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Label package with contents and freeze-by date.
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Store at 0°F or below.
Proper freezing prevents exposure to air and locks in moisture content.
Thawing Frozen Costco Hams
Always thaw frozen hams gradually in the refrigerator. This may take 24-48 hours for a large spiral ham.
Other safe thawing methods include:
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Submerging ham still in packaging in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes.
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Thawing in microwave if cooking immediately after.
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Simmering frozen ham in liquid on stovetop or in crockpot.
Avoid room temperature thawing which allows bacterial growth. Cook thawed ham within 3-5 days.
How Long Does an Opened Costco Ham Last in the Fridge?
Once sliced and opened, refrigerate leftover Costco ham for 5-7 days maximum.
Follow these guidelines for maximizing refrigerated shelf life:
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Tightly wrap cut ham slices or pieces in plastic wrap or foil. This prevents drying out.
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Store opened ham on a plate or in a container in the coldest part of the fridge, usually the back.
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Use within 3-5 days for best quality.
Also cook ham thoroughly to safe internal temperatures before refrigerating leftovers.
Can You Refreeze Previously Frozen Ham?
Cooked leftover ham can be safely frozen again after proper refrigeration. To refreeze Costco ham:
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Let cooked ham cool completely, about 1 hour, before freezing to prevent excess moisture.
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Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, foil, or freezer bags. Remove air.
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Portion ham into meal-sized servings to avoid thawing more than needed later.
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Label bags or containers with contents and date.
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Use frozen leftover ham within 2-3 months for best flavor.
Refreezing may degrade taste and texture over multiple cycles. Use refrozen ham within a couple months.
How Can You Tell if a Costco Ham Has Gone Bad?
Check your Costco spiral ham for these signs of spoilage:
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Slimy texture or sticky ooze
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Unpleasant sour or ammonia odor
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Mold growth anywhere on ham
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Shriveled, dried out appearance
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Discolored or yellowish meat
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Expired sell-by or freeze-by dates
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Off tastes when cooked
Throw away expired, smelly, or moldy ham. Do not taste ham you suspect may be spoiled.
Storing Different Kinds of Costco Hams
Costco sells a variety of ham options like their Kirkland spiral hams, Honeybaked hams, and country hams. Here are the optimal storage times:
Kirkland Spiral Ham
- Unopened: 2 months refrigerated
- Opened: 5-7 days
- Frozen: 4-6 months
Honeybaked Ham
- Unopened: 7-10 days refrigerated
- Opened: 3-5 days
- Frozen: 1-2 months
Country Ham
- Unopened: 2 weeks refrigerated
- Opened: 3-5 days
- Frozen: 1 month
Follow individual product dating and the above guidelines for maximizing ham freshness.
Keeping Your Costco Ham Fresh
To get the most out of your Costco ham purchase, remember these extra freshness tips:
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Keep cold continuously until cooking – avoid leaving ham at room temperature.
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Refrigerate promptly after serving – don’t let sit out over 2 hours.
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Use original packaging until ready to cook.
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Tightly wrap all leftovers.
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Watch expiration dates closely.
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Label and date any ham you freeze.
With proper refrigeration and freezing techniques, you can enjoy your Costco spiral ham for months to come. Just follow this complete storage guide for ham handling success!
How long can a thawed cooked ham stay in the fridge?
FAQ
How long can you keep Costco ham in the fridge?
How long can a precooked ham stay in the refrigerator?
How long does a packaged spiral ham last?
Does ham have a long shelf life?
Which Costco Ham is best?
The Costco Kirkland Signature Spiral Sliced Ham is hands down the best ham I’ve had. Sean (my husband) usually isn’t a fan of ham, but always goes back for seconds when we have this. The ham is lean without much fat and has a nice subtle smoked hickory flavor. The finished Spiral Sliced Ham – cooked and glazed.
Does Costco have a smoked ham?
The Costco Kirkland Signature Applewood Smoked Master Carve ham is smaller than the spiral sliced ham but you still get a ton of ham! Enough for four adults to have dinner and lots of leftovers to make things like frittata, split pea soup, ham ala king. The ham pairs well with scalloped or mashed potatoes, a side of vegetables and a salad!
How much does a ham cost at Costco?
In fall 2023 it’s now $8.99 per kilogram. This ham fed the four of us for Easter with a ton of leftovers for soup, quiche and sandwiches. Costco Kirkland Signature Spiral Sliced Ham nutrition facts. Nutritionally, this is high in fat and salt.
Does Costco sell boneless half Ham?
Yes, Costco carries two different half hams, which can rotate and alternate throughout the year/season. They offer a Kirkland Signature Master Carve Half Ham and a Sunnyvalley Boneless Half Smoked Ham. Expect to pay around $3.50 per pound for them. How do you cook the boneless half ham at Costco?