You've probably wondered at some point how long vacuum-packed Iberian ham lasts, as it's natural to want to keep the ham at home in good condition for as long as possible. At Enrique Tomás, we're going to give you the answer to this question.

Discover how to take care of it, and once you open a pack... You'll enjoy it as if it were freshly sliced!

How long can I wait to open vacuum-packed Iberian ham?

Vacuum packing is a preservation process in which all the air is removed from food packages, preventing them from coming into contact with oxygen. This extends their shelf life while preserving all their flavors and texture.

Properly vacuum-packed ham can last up to a maximum of ninety days without opening it. However, it's important to remember that you don't need to freeze these slices. Why doesn't it make sense to freeze ham? It's quite simple because freezing would diminish the flavor of a product that has required careful attention for a long time to achieve excellence. Vacuum sealing the ham extends its shelf life and preserves its nuances without the need for freezing.

Enrique Tomás Red Wine Pairing Basket

So, when it comes to enjoying a pack of sliced Iberian ham, Enrique Tomás offers you two options: either buy some of our pre-sliced products or, if you already have whole ham or shoulder, bring them to us for slicing and packaging, regardless of whether you purchased your product from one of our establishments or not.

Once you have your cured ham in front of you, you'll notice that its color has darkened slightly, but don't worry; as soon as you open it, it will return to its usual shade. Furthermore, by vacuum-packing it, you'll be able to care for this delicacy and have up to three months to enjoy it little by little.

Where to store vacuum-packed ham

If you have a whole ham vacuum-packed or a pack of sliced ham and you're wondering if you need to store the ham in the refrigerator, don't worry; the answer is no. You just need to pay attention to these three aspects:

1. Find it a dry and dark place. Heat can affect the quality of the meat, so the best solution is to protect it from the sun or sources of heat. Therefore, it's advisable to keep it away from, for example, the oven, and place it in a dark spot. A pantry is the best option.
   
   
2. No need to store the slices in the fridge. Some might think that storing ham in the fridge is the norm, but as we've explained, a pantry is sufficient. It's enough to store it in a place with a maximum temperature of 21°C. If you've bought one of our "No te cortes" packs, you won't need to have three kilograms of Iberian ham taking up space in your refrigerator.
   
   
3. Remember not to eat it hastily. Eating ham is an experience, and it should be enjoyed properly. If you open a vacuum-packed package and immediately eat its slices, you won't allow the meat to breathe, and you won't fully savor its flavor. Our advice is to open a pack, slice some bread and tomato, or start with some Sevillian breadsticks while you wait for the meat to breathe. When you see the slices naturally separate from each other, your Iberian ham will be ready. When you taste it, you'll understand why it was worth the wait.
   
   

Therefore, What can be vacuum-packed? Ham is one of the many products that maintain their properties when subjected to this preservation process, and the same goes for other meats or fish.

Buy your pack of sliced ham, and as soon as you try it, you'll see! And having said that, now that you know how long vacuum-packed Iberian ham lasts, the question is: Will you be able to resist not eating this delicacy for so long? Treat yourself from time to time, and you'll see that...

It's irresistible!