Tips for Keeping Slices of Ham Fresh?
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This has been a problem for a long time!
You decide to make a sandwich for lunch but notice the pack of ham has gone off!
And it’s like it wasn’t even opened that long ago! Maybe 2 or 3 days
When packs are opened I like to put them in a plastic bag or when you get a slice out use a knife so your hands don’t touch them!
Did think to put them in those reusable takeaway plastic boxes but may be a hassle to move them from pack to a box!…
The problem with packaged ham it usually says to eat within 2-3 days which isn’t very long. We tend to buy smaller packs but obviously costs more in the long run but no wastage.
eyeballkerry we buy the pack of 12 slices
When in placed pack in bag or use cling film it should help them last longer
I find cooked meats will last 3-4 days in the fridge, the key is buy pack sizes that you know you will use within this timescale . As they are vacuum packed in the factory they will last up to the date on the pack if left unopened , but as soon as you open them they start to deteriorate like most foods .
You could give this a try and see if it helps, place a piece of folded paper towel in the bottom of an airtight plastic container. Remove the sliced ham from its packing and place it on top of the paper towel. Place another piece of folded paper towel on top of the ham, close the container firmly and place in the fridge.
TiaTia yeah I did think to do that lol
I did that with washed lettuce after draining the water off placed paper towels at bottom of box and lettuce on top soaks in the water and does help them last for longer but then they get all like a brown red ish like rusty colour lol
I dry them full with paper towels and put in box and they are still crunchy and ready for sandwiches
If there’s condensation in box I just use a clean dry one
You can freeze ham slices for a few months at least
If you separate them first before freezing then you can take out the individual slices when needed
You could place each slice between pieces of kitchen towel in an airtight container and store in the fridge
I don’t buy packs of ham as I think they’re a rip off for the amount you get.
Instead I buy a gammon joint which costs less than £4 for a kilo and I pressure cook it. I find it stays fresh for at least a week, or I’ll freeze some if I know I won’t use it all.
Always use within 3 days, 2 is better but definitely no longer than 3. It keeps in cling film in fridge. You must wrap it well so no air gets in.
I found that I wasn't using all the cooked ham I bought,after been opened a few days it didn't taste as nice so I cut it up small & fed it to our 2 cats every so often then threw it away...
janphoenix51 I see but still if it didn’t taste nice don’t feed them to your cats lol not good for their health!
kitty88uk ,it was in small quantities & small pieces,wasn't salty either & my cats loved their treats...The ham was fine,just not as fresh as when I bought it..
Every time my cats have a health check up they are healthy,never had any complaints...x
janphoenix51 ah I see that’s great to hear! At least you not wasting food u less it’s gone off very bad!
We don’t waste food either unless bread or fruit has gone mouldy
We just use our ham up so it does not go's to waste. My son loves ham, so he has up to four slices in a sandwich for school
Before I came to work today I made Creamy Scrambled Eggs containing Ham,Cheese, Red Onion & Cumin for my daughter & I.
I'm on shift til tomorrow & she was going back to her flat in Leeds ready for Uni tomorrow at Bradford..
It kept us full & we will eat Dinner later..x
janphoenix51 ooh that sounds so delicious haha yeah use any kinds of foods to cook up a meal that’s filling too!
Imnotcheap what are they? Bags for foods? Helps to keep foods in a good condition?
kitty88uk they seal the bag and suck the air out keeping foods fresher. I tried to send a link but signal not good enough might get good deal black Friday
Use what you need for the sandwiches ,then be sure to meal plan so the rest isn't wasted, i had the same problem, so now I make sure I have a meal planned that uses ham, before I open the packet, ie homemade pizza, ham egg and chips, otherwise I don't open the ham for sarnies and have cheese instead
I know what you mean it goes hard and discoloured slightly. Only thing i can really suggest is putting it in an airtight container
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