How to Store Prosciutto Leg

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: October 19, 2020 References

Prosciutto leg, also called Parma ham, is the leg of a pig cured with brine and salt for about 1 year. Keeping one of these legs is a great way to ensure you always have fresh prosciutto to use in sandwiches, on charcuterie boards, and with wine pairings. Keep your prosciutto leg fresh by keeping it in the fridge and enjoying it while it tastes its best.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Keeping a Deboned Prosciutto Leg

1
Keep the prosciutto in its vacuum packaging. When you purchase a prosciutto leg that has had the bone taken out, it usually comes vacuum sealed for maximum freshness. If you aren’t going to use it right away, keep it in its packaging without puncturing it to preserve the taste and moisture of the meat.^{[1]
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- Check on the vacuum packaging every week or so to make sure that it hasn’t been punctured accidentally. If it has been punctured, remove it from the vacuum packaging and wrap it in wax paper or foil right away.
2
Place it in the fridge at 35 °F (2 °C). Use the middle shelf of your fridge to keep the entire leg completely cool. Keep the temperature between 35 and 38 °F (2 and 3 °C) in your fridge for maximum freshness.^{[2]
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Warning: Never place your prosciutto leg in the freezer. This could make the meat harder and less tender when it is time to eat.^{[3]
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Eat your prosciutto leg within 6 months. Deboned prosciutto legs don’t last quite as long as the bone-in ones. Try to slice into and eat your prosciutto leg within 6 months after you purchase it to get the best tasting meat.^{[4]
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- Prosciutto is a cured meat, so it will take a 1 to 2 years to spoil, but it might not taste as good after 6 months.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Storing a Bone-In Prosciutto Leg

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Place the prosciutto leg in a cool, dry place. Prosciutto that has the bone intact does not need to be kept in the fridge. Instead, place it in an area that is around 65 °F (18 °C) at all times and that doesn’t get a lot of humidity, like your kitchen cabinet or pantry.^{[5]
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Tip: You can even hang the entire leg from a length of twine and use it as a decoration in your kitchen.
2
Keep it out of the sun to avoid spoiling. The only thing that can make a bone-in prosciutto leg spoil is being kept in the direct sunlight. Make sure your leg is well-hidden within a kitchen cabinet or pantry and keep it away from any windows as much as possible.^{[6]
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- If you are worried about your prosciutto getting too hot or sunny, place it in the fridge to keep it fresh.
3
Slice into your prosciutto leg within 12 months. Your prosciutto leg will continue to cure in your home as long as you don’t cut into it. Try to use your leg within 1 year of purchasing it for the best taste and tenderness.^{[7]
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- Since your prosciutto leg is cured with salt, it could take up to 2 years to spoil, but it might not taste as fresh after 12 months.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Storing a Prosciutto Leg after Slicing It

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Wrap the cut end in foil or wax paper. Keep the cut parts of your prosciutto leg airtight by wrapping them with cling film, tin foil, or wax paper. Use rubber bands to wrap the foil or paper if you are worried that it isn’t fully airtight.^{[8]
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- The uncut parts of the prosciutto leg will be protected by the rind of the meat.
2
Keep it in the fridge at 35 °F (2 °C). Both deboned and bone-in prosciutto legs need to be kept cool after you cut into them. Place the leg on the middle shelf of your fridge to keep it fresh and avoid spoiling.^{[9]
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- Never store prosciutto leg in the freezer to avoid changing the flavor or freshness.
Tip: Prosciutto is gluten free. If you have a gluten allergy or intolerance, keep it away from other food items in your fridge to avoid accidental contamination.^{[10]
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Change the wrappings on the prosciutto leg weekly. It’s important to keep the prosciutto fresh, and old wrappings can make it taste stale. Try to switch out the coverings on your prosciutto at least once a week or each time you make a slice.^{[11]
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4
Cut off any molded or yellowed areas that you see. As the prosciutto leg ages, you may see moldy spots or yellowed fat areas. This doesn’t mean that the entire leg is contaminated by mold, just those certain areas. Use a sharp knife to cut off any discolored areas and dispose of them.^{[12]
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- Trimming off any moldy areas stops it from spreading and contaminating other parts of the meat.
5
Eat the prosciutto leg within 7 to 8 weeks. Prosciutto leg does not have any preservatives to keep it fresh, so it will spoil quickly. Try to eat your entire prosciutto leg within 2 months after you slice into it for the best experience.^{[13]
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- Unless you are hosting a large party, it is probably best to only buy one prosciutto leg at a time to avoid food waste.