Cooked Ham

[Iamcazzy]

I'm fed up of buying packs of supermarket ham slices only to find that the directions stipulate that the ham must be eaten within two days of opening. The fact that the ham is stored in the fridge following purchase seems to be irrelevant to its longevity and buying those ridiculously small packs of 10 slices or so is just not economical.
How long do other ABers keep their ham in the fridge?

[EcclesCake]

Until it is green, slimy, furry or smelly.

[Retrochic]

sliced meats always keep less well than whole pieces. why not buy a small gammon piece (around £3.99), boil it and use it through out the week? I take no notice of 'use by' dates, I smell the product and if it smells ok I use it.

[Sycamore3House]

Until it smells or tastes not quite right.

[Khandro]

We keep ham in airtight containers and it is fine for - well as long as it lasts.
Keep it covered as much as you can, never touch any not going to be eaten immediately with your fingers as this will add bacteria, and keep it well away from cheese - ditto.

[pastafreak]

If you go the cook your own route(highly recommended),you can slice it,bag in portions,and freeze...then take out as needed. Will taste a lot better than pre-packaged.

[razza]

Eat by and sell by dates are just to cover the vendor,food lasts longer than it states on the packaging

[grasscarp]

I don't think I have ever looked at sell by or best before on ham or cooked meat. Does it look ok and smell ok? Yes - eat it. No - bin it.

[mazie]

I'm with the rest if it smells OK then it is

(sorry for the hijack.... Is your OH home yet Grass?)

[baza]

Like most on here , if it smells and looks ok then eat it, if not dump it.
I was always confused when the local butcher sold "GREEN" bacon when it looked pink.

[grasscarp]

No Mazie. I am leaving shortly to go to hospital. I spend about 4 hours a day there. Thanks for asking. He is a bit more mobile but speech and memory not so good. Excuse us Iamcazzzy.

[follyfancier]

I find that ham bought from the delicatessen counter will last much longer than anything in the plastic packets if I have not cooked my own

[SeaJayPea]

The whole point of 'use by' dates is so that the gullible will throw food away and buy more. It's drivel. As others have said, if it smells OK, it is OK.

[Iamcazzy]

Thank you all for your helpful opinions. I think I'll continue to use the ham for a day or two until it begins to smell. I'm very grateful to you all.