How Many Slices of Ham Are in a Pack? A Guide to Ham Portion Sizes

Ham is a versatile and popular deli meat that can be used in sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more. But when purchasing packaged ham, it’s not always easy to visualize how many slices come in a pack or how much you’re getting. The number of slices can vary widely depending on the brand, cut, and pack size.

In this comprehensive guide we’ll look at the typical ham pack sizes from major brands and retailers. We’ll also provide tips on how to estimate portion sizes when the slice count isn’t listed.

Standard Ham Pack Sizes

Ham is most often sold pre-packaged in the deli section at grocery stores Here are some of the most common pack sizes

• 2 oz pack: A 2 oz or 1/4 lb pack contains around 4-5 thin slices of ham. This is the smallest standard ham pack size and is suitable for making 1-2 sandwiches.

• 4 oz pack: A 4 oz or 1/2 lb pack contains 8-10 slices. This size provides enough ham for 3-4 sandwiches.

• 8 oz pack: An 8 oz or 1 lb pack has 16-20 slices, which is enough for around 6-8 sandwiches. This is one of the most popular pack sizes for families.

• 12-16 oz family pack: Larger 12-16 oz packs are common for bulk buying. They can have 24-32 slices to make 9-12 sandwiches.

As you can see, the number of slices doubles with each increasing pack size. So if you know the weight, you can estimate the number of slices.

Sliced Ham vs. Shaved Ham

The cut of ham also impacts slice counts. Pre-packaged ham typically comes either sliced or shaved:

• Sliced ham is cut into uniform slices around 1/16-1/8 inches thick. This type of ham is easy to count and stack in sandwiches. An 8 oz pack has 16-20 slices.

• Shaved ham is thinly cut into non-uniform slices less than 1/16 inch thick. Shaved ham packs contain a greater number of thinner slices compared to standard sliced ham. An 8 oz pack may have 25-30 shaved slices.

So shaved ham packs can appear larger portioned but the slices are thinner. Keep this in mind when estimating slice counts.

Estimating Portion Size Without Slice Counts

Some ham brands don’t list the number of slices on the package. In these cases, check the pack weight and thickness.

Here are some guidelines for estimating slice counts when not listed:

• For sliced ham about 1/16 inch thick, assume 4-5 slices per ounce.
• For shaved ham less than 1/16 inch thick, estimate 5-6 slices per ounce.
• For lunchmeat packs, assume 1 ounce provides enough ham for one sandwich.

You can also do a visual size comparison:

• If the pack appears small (2-4 inches wide), estimate 4-10 slices.
• For medium packs (5-6 inches wide), estimate 10-20 slices.
• For larger family packs (7+ inches wide), estimate 20+ slices.

Comparing Ham Slices in Popular Brands

To give a better idea of real-world ham slice counts, here is a comparison of three top-selling packaged ham brands:

Great Value Ham

The Great Value brand from Walmart offers sliced black forest ham in several sizes:

• 2 oz pack: 5 slices
• 8 oz pack: 16 slices
• 1 lb family pack: 20 slices

The shaved honey ham comes in 8 oz and 1 lb packs with higher slice counts:

• 8 oz pack: 32 slices
• 1 lb pack: 40 slices

Boar’s Head Ham

Boar’s Head is a popular premium deli brand. Their sliced ham packs contain:

• 4 oz pack: 8 slices
• 8 oz pack: 16 slices

They also offer shaved Virginia ham in 8 oz packs with around 30 thin slices.

Oscar Mayer Ham

Oscar Mayer is another leading ham brand. Their sliced ham pack sizes include:

• 2.5 oz pack: 5 slices
• 5 oz pack: 10 slices
• 9 oz family pack: 18 slices

Their shaved ham comes in 8 oz packs with approximately 20 slices.

As you can see, slice counts are fairly consistent for the same weights across brands. Premium brands tend to have slightly thicker slices.

Buying an Entire Unsliced Ham

In addition to pre-sliced ham, some stores also sell entire uncut hams ranging from 4-12 lbs or more. An average bone-in cooked ham weighs about 5 lbs.

To estimate how many servings you get from an unsliced ham:

• Count on 3/4 lb of cooked ham per person for hearty sandwiches and meals.
• A 5 lb ham will provide around 6-7 servings.
• For thinner tea sandwiches, allow 1/3 lb per person.
• Slice the ham as thin or as thick as needed for your recipes.

One tip when buying an unsliced ham is to ask for it to be shaved or sliced at the deli counter. This takes the guesswork out of portions.

Key Takeaways on Ham Slice Counts

To quickly summarize ham portion sizes:

• Check pack weight and thickness to estimate slices.
• Allow 4-5 slices per ounce for sliced ham.
• Estimate 5-6 slices per ounce for shaved ham.
• Popular pack sizes are 2 oz (4-5 slices), 8 oz (16-20 slices), and 1 lb family packs (20-40 slices).
• Slice counts are similar across leading national brands.
• For unsliced hams, estimate 3/4 lb per person for hearty sandwiches.

Knowing typical ham slice counts and serving sizes can help you purchase the right amount for sandwiches, meals, and recipes. Next time you buy packaged ham, use this guide to compare portion sizes across brands and pack sizes.