How long to keep a cooked ham bone before making soup with it?

A cooked ham bone can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days before making soup with it. If you are not planning on using the bone within 5 days, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

When you are ready to make soup, simply thaw the bone in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for several hours. Then, add the bone to a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 hours, or until the meat has fallen off the bone. Strain the soup and discard the bone.

The ham bone can also be used to add flavor to other dishes, such as beans, rice, and pasta.