Ham is a favorite at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, as well as other big family dinners. When the feast is done, don't toss the ham bone or give it to the dog (experts say that's not safe). Instead, freeze the ham bone so you can use it later to add flavor to a soup or make homemade ham broth or stock.
A ham bone will keep in the freezer for at least a few months. That buys you some time to make full use of it and you have a few days to properly prepare it for long-term storage.
Keep the Ham Refrigerated
It's important that you keep any leftover ham refrigerated at all times. If you don't have the time to cut up the ham and separate the bone right away, place it in the refrigerator while you're cleaning up after dinner. The cooked ham will keep safely for three to four days in a sealed container, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guidelines for meat leftovers.
Within those few days, cut the remaining ham from the bone. Cook with it or freeze the ham separately for later use. Don't worry if you aren't able to get all the ham off the bone because it will add flavor to your soup stock. If you're not going to make use of the bone immediately, freeze it.
How to Freeze a Ham Bone
Place the ham bone in a freezer bag and make sure the top is well-sealed. It's best to use a vacuum bag to get all the air out and ensure freshness. If you don't have that option, remove as much air as possible from the bag. Check to make sure the bag isn't punctured by any of the sharp edges remaining on the bone.
Label the package with the contents and date. This takes the guesswork out of what's inside and whether it's been in the freezer for months or years. Place the ham bone in the freezer with enough space around it to ensure it freezes quickly.
For best results, try to use your frozen ham bone within three months. There may be some loss of flavor if you keep it longer, and any bits of meat and cartilage remaining on it may get freezer burn or dry out.
How To Use Your Ham Bone
Ham bones are packed with so much rich, flavor. Here are 6 recipes to try.
Split Pea Soup
Ham and Bean Soup
Collard Greens
Red Beans & Rice
Ham Stock - when in doubt, simmer the leftover bone into a rich and smoky ham stock. It's the same process as making chicken stock. Just simmer the bone with any carrots, celery, and onion until the broth is nice and flavorful.
FAQs
When the feast is done, don't toss the ham bone or give it to the dog (experts say that's not safe). Instead, freeze the ham bone so you can use it later to add flavor to a soup or make homemade ham broth or stock. A ham bone will keep in the freezer for at least a few months.
Does honeybaked ham sell ham bones for soup? ›
Did you know that the Honey Baked Ham store sells the bones, after most of the meat has been removed by spiral slicing.
Can you use a ham bone for soup more than once? ›
Although you may be able to use a ham bone again for soup, if not all of the meat comes off of the bone, most of the flavor you can get from the bone will be used up the first time you use it to make soup. If you want to try to reuse the bone, refrigerate it and use it again within a couple of days.
How to save ham bone for soup? ›
Place the ham bone in the freezer with enough space around it to ensure it freezes quickly. For best results, try to use your frozen ham bone within three months. There may be some loss of flavor if you keep it longer, and any bits of meat and cartilage remaining on it may get freezer burn or dry out.
Is ham bone broth good for you? ›
Now, a new study has shown that ham bones contain peptides that could have cardioprotective effects. Drinking bone broth is a recent diet fad that proponents claim fights inflammation, eases joint pain and promotes gut health.
Can you buy just a ham bone for soup? ›
They're not a super-fancy item only found at gourmet grocery stores—I buy mine at the local Safeway. If you can't find them, just ask. Both fresh and smoked ham bones need to be cooked thoroughly before eating and do best when simmered slowly for hours in a pot of soup.
Is a pork hock the same as a ham bone for soup? ›
Is a ham hock the same as a ham bone? No, but they can definitely be used in the same way—both are usually smoked, so they add similar flavor to a dish. A ham bone will have more usable meat on it than a ham hock.
How long will ham bone keep in the refrigerator? ›
Christmas ham stored in the fridge, either on the bone or carved off and wrapped in plastic and foil, will keep perfectly well for up to two weeks. Ham wrapped in plastic and foil and then frozen will last in the freezer for up to a month.
Can you freeze a hambone to make soup later? ›
Instead, freeze the ham bone so you can use it later to add flavor to a soup or make homemade ham broth or stock. A ham bone will keep in the freezer for at least a few months. That buys you some time to make full use of it and you have a few days to properly prepare it for long-term storage.
What kind of soup can be made from a ham bone? ›
And one of my favorite childhood meals was Nana's Epic Navy Bean Ham Bone Soup, i.e. navy bean soup simmered with a leftover ham bone. Navy bean soup is rich, filling, comforting, and can feed a large crowd on a small budget. This soup is especially good when you have a leftover ham bone from a holiday meal!
Add Water. Carolyn Brown, Executive Chef at Fischer & Wieser, says her favorite method for reducing salt is simply adding water. Be sure to add it in small increments, tasting as you go. If you find your soup is getting too thin, she suggests adding corn starch or flour to your water at a 1:1 ratio.
Can you overcook soup bones? ›
Canora cautions against overcooking your bone broth, which can actually seriously hamper the flavor. Once you go past the 16-hour mark or so, “you start breaking down the bone itself and it starts infusing a bad flavor to your broth,” he explains.
How long do you leave bone in soup? ›
Bone broth should be cooked for a minimum of 12 hours.
Although a richer, thicker stock is achieved with 24 to 48 hours. The slow cooker is ideal if you'd like a 48-hour broth.
What does the Mayo Clinic say about bone broth? ›
Bone broth is a good choice to include in your diet along with all the other foods that fight inflammation. Organic chicken or beef bone broths (or make your own) have many beneficial nutrients that will help improve bones and joints, along with all the other benefits.
Why do I feel dizzy after drinking bone broth? ›
Glutamate and histamine sensitivity
If you feel nauseous, light-headed, or foggy after consuming bone broth, it may be that you are sensitive to glutamate or histamine. This doesn't mean you can't benefit from broth.
What is the downside of bone broth? ›
While bone broth is generally considered safe to consume, there are some potential risks to be aware of. Lead contamination. Some studies show elevated levels of lead in bone broths, which can be harmful to health if consumed in large amounts. Bacterial contamination.
Do supermarkets sell ham bones? ›
In general, ham hocks are not hard to find. They're available in most grocery stores and butcher shops. Many times, they're sold in pairs.
How long can you keep a ham bone in the fridge before making soup? ›
The bone can be stored in the fridge, well wrapped for up to 3 days. The ham bone can also be frozen for up to 3 months. We don't even defrost it when making this soup, just place it in the water and add about 15-20 minutes to the cooking time.
How much bone-in ham to buy? ›
Estimate 3/4 to 1 pound per person for a bone-in ham. No matter what size ham you purchase, save the bone to make the best bean soup or save some ham for sandwiches, casseroles, and other leftover dishes.
