Fully cooked when you buy it, a spiral ham only requires warming and, if you like it sweet, a little bit of glaze before it’s ready to eat. Like all meat products spiral ham is perishable, so it should be frozen if you're not going to eat it right away.

If you do not plan to eat your ham within three to five days of purchase, freeze it. Do not remove the spiral ham from its original store packaging. Instead, pop it in the freezer as is. The spiral ham will keep for up to two months in freezer temperatures of 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below. After two months, the spiral ham is still safe to eat, but the quality may be diminished.

Keep your spiral ham leftovers good enough to eat for as long as two months in the freezer. Cut the leftover spiral ham into slices or cubes and slip them into a freezer bag or airtight freezer container. Separate the leftovers into portions that match the amount you or your family eat in a single sitting, so you do not remove more ham than you need each time you open the freezer.

When it comes time to thaw your frozen spiral ham, safety is key. Never leave a frozen spiral ham at room temperature to thaw. Always thaw spiral ham in the refrigerator, removing it from the freezer a few days before you plan to warm it in the oven.

Always put your spiral ham in the refrigerator as soon as possible after purchasing. Refrigerator storage will keep the ham safe to eat for up to five days as long as the temperature inside is 40 degrees F or below. The same goes for leftovers. As soon as your meal is done, place any uneaten spiral ham in the refrigerator, where it will stay good for as long as five days. It is safe to transfer refrigerated spiral ham to the freezer within this five-day period. After five days of refrigeration, throw the leftovers away.