How long does prosciutto last?
Prosciutto keeps for 2 to 3 months in the fridge, up to 1 month in the freezer. Times are USDA FoodKeeper quality guidelines from the point of purchase unless noted.
No guideline
2 to 3 months
from purchase
1 month
best quality within
How to tell prosciutto has gone bad
General signs for meat: smoked or processed, the group USDA lists prosciutto under.
- Slimy or sticky film on hot dogs or sliced sausage
- Grey or green tinge developing on the surface
- Sour or off smell replacing the usual smoky scent
- Hardened, dried-out edges on bacon left uncovered too long
- Package losing its vacuum seal or ballooning with gas
More on meat: smoked or processed. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
Storage habits that make the difference
Refrigerate opened bacon, ham, sausage and hot dogs in their original packaging or a sealed container, and use within about a week. Freeze anything you will not use in time; vacuum-sealed cuts freeze especially well. Keep these products toward the back of the fridge, where the temperature is steadiest.
More in meat: smoked or processed
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). Times assume a fridge at 40 F (4 C) and a freezer at 0 F (-18 C). How we decode the data.