Can You Freeze Cooked Gammon?

Whether you’ve cooked a large gammon joint for Christmas, a family buffet or simply have leftovers after Sunday lunch, you might be wondering whether it can be frozen.

The good news is yes, you can freeze cooked gammon. In fact, cooked gammon freezes extremely well, making it a great way to reduce food waste and enjoy easy meals later on.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Can You Freeze Cooked Gammon?

Yes, cooked gammon freezes very well.

This includes:

Cooked gammon joints
Cooked gammon slices
Cooked gammon steaks
Honey roast gammon
Glazed gammon
Leftover Christmas gammon

Because gammon is a cured meat, it holds its flavour and texture particularly well in the freezer. Once thawed, it’s just as useful for sandwiches, pasta dishes, soups, pies, omelettes and homemade gammon hash.

If you’ll use the leftovers within the next three or four days, storing them in the fridge is perfectly fine. Otherwise, freezing is a great option.

Can You Freeze A Cooked Gammon Joint?

Yes, you can freeze a whole cooked gammon joint.

This is especially handy if you’re getting ahead for Christmas or another celebration.

That said, unless you know you’ll need the whole joint later, I usually recommend slicing or portioning it first. Smaller portions freeze more quickly, defrost faster and mean you only need to thaw what you’re actually going to eat.

Can You Freeze Cooked Gammon Slices?

Absolutely.

Cooked gammon slices are one of my favourite ways to freeze leftover gammon.

Separate the slices with baking parchment if you’re freezing several together. This makes it much easier to remove just a few slices for sandwiches, salads or cooked breakfasts.

Can You Freeze Cooked Gammon Steaks?

Yes.

Cooked gammon steaks freeze just as well as a whole joint.

Leave them whole or dice them before freezing if you already know they’ll be going into recipes such as pasta bakes, casseroles or soups.

Can You Freeze Uncooked Gammon?

Yes, uncooked gammon can also be frozen.

However, because gammon is cured, unopened joints often have a fairly long shelf life in the fridge. Unless it’s close to its use-by date, there may be no real need to freeze it before cooking.

Can You Freeze Cooked Ham?

Yes.

People often use the words ham and gammon interchangeably.

Generally speaking, gammon is sold cured but uncooked, while ham has already been cooked before you buy it. Both freeze extremely well once cooked.

How To Freeze Cooked Gammon

Freezing cooked gammon is quick and easy.

Allow the gammon to cool completely.
Slice or portion the gammon if required.
Wrap well or place into airtight freezer bags or containers.
Remove as much air as possible to help prevent freezer burn.
Label and date everything.
Freeze for up to four months.

Personally, I nearly always freeze leftover gammon in meal-sized portions. It makes life much easier when you only need enough for one meal or a couple of sandwiches.

My Top Tips For Freezing Cooked Gammon

Freeze it as soon as it has cooled.
Portion before freezing to reduce thawing time.
Separate slices with baking parchment.
Label everything clearly.
Freeze before the use-by date for the best quality.

How Long Can You Freeze Cooked Gammon?

Cooked gammon keeps well in the freezer for three to four months.

It will still be safe to eat after this time if it has remained continuously frozen, although the flavour and texture may gradually decline.

How To Defrost Cooked Gammon

The safest way to defrost cooked gammon is overnight in the fridge.

Large joints may need 24-48 hours depending on their size, so allow plenty of time if you’re freezing a whole joint.

Avoid thawing gammon on the kitchen worktop.

How To Reheat Cooked Gammon

Cooked gammon should always be reheated until piping hot throughout.

In the oven

This is the best option for larger joints.

Cover loosely with foil and heat at 180°C until thoroughly hot. The foil helps prevent the outside drying out before the middle has heated through.

In the microwave

Slices of gammon can be reheated in the microwave.

Cover the gammon and heat in short bursts until piping hot.

In a frying pan

Gammon slices can also be gently reheated in a frying pan, particularly if you’re serving them with eggs, chips or adding them to another cooked meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Freeze Cooked Gammon?

Yes. Cooked gammon freezes extremely well and is one of the easiest cooked meats to freeze.

Can You Freeze Gammon Once Cooked?

Yes. Simply cool it completely, wrap well and freeze for up to four months.

Can You Refreeze Cooked Gammon?

No. Once cooked gammon has been thawed, it shouldn’t be frozen again unless it has been cooked into a completely new dish.

Can You Freeze Leftover Christmas Gammon?

Absolutely.

In fact, Christmas is probably when I freeze gammon most often. I usually freeze slices in sandwich portions and larger chunks ready for soups, pasta dishes and gammon hash after the festive season.

Can You Freeze Honey Glazed Gammon?

Yes. Honey and mustard glazes freeze perfectly well, although you may find the glaze becomes slightly stickier after thawing.

Final Thoughts

Cooked gammon is one of the easiest meats to freeze and a fantastic way to make the most of leftovers.

Whether you’ve cooked a glazed Christmas gammon, gammon steaks or a large family-sized joint, freezing it in portions means you’ll always have a quick meal ready to go.

Explore More Freezing Guides

Looking for more freezing advice? Browse our Frozen Food Hub, where you’ll find hundreds of guides covering everything from cooked meals and meats to fruit, vegetables, dairy products and baked goods.

Whether you’re batch cooking, reducing food waste or simply wondering if something can be frozen, we’ve got you covered.