Ham Weights Demystified: Everything You Need To Know

For many of us, ham is a beloved holiday tradition or a tasty addition to sandwiches and meals year-round But if you’ve ever stood in front of the deli counter or meat case trying to figure out how much ham to buy, you’re not alone. Ham comes in a variety of sizes and cuts, so it can be confusing to figure out how much you actually need In this article, we’ll break down the typical weight ranges for different types of ham so you can shop with confidence.

Whole Bone-In Hams

Whole bone-in hams are most often seen around the holidays. They have the signature long femur bone running through the center and are sold fully cooked. Here are the weight ranges you can expect

• Spiral sliced ham: 9-14 lbs
• Half ham: 9-12 lbs
• Whole uncut ham: 14-19 lbs

These sizes serve roughly

• Spiral sliced ham (9-14 lbs): 20-30 people
• Half ham (9-12 lbs): 15-20 people
• Whole ham (14-19 lbs): 30-40 people

So if you’re feeding a crowd for Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, a bone-in whole ham is a smart choice. Get an uncut one around 14-19 pounds and plan for 30-40 servings.

Boneless Hams

Boneless hams have had the bone removed before being rolled and tied into the classic ham shape. They’re a little more versatile since they’re easier to slice and carve. Sizes include:

• Half boneless ham: 4-8 lbs
• Whole boneless ham: 8-12 lbs
• Spiral sliced boneless ham: 6-9 lbs

In terms of servings, you can expect:

• Half boneless ham (4-8 lbs): 8-16 people
• Whole boneless ham (8-12 lbs): 16-25 people
• Spiral sliced boneless (6-9 lbs): 12-18 people

For simpler meals like weeknight dinners or smaller gatherings, a half boneless ham in the 4-8 pound range serves 8-16 nicely.

Ham Steaks or Portions

Pre-cut ham steaks or portions are another option, especially for smaller households. Sizes and servings for ham steaks include:

• Smaller ham steaks: 1⁄4 – 1⁄2 lb (1-2 servings)
• Larger ham steaks: 3⁄4 – 1 lb (3-4 servings)
• Extra thick ham steaks: 1-11⁄2 lbs (4-6 servings)

Ham slices in the deli are usually around 1⁄4 pound each, while packaged sliced ham for sandwiches is about 1/8 pound per slice.

Ham portions or slices taken from a whole, bone-in ham usually weigh:

• Ham slice: 3⁄4 – 1 lb
• Ham portion: 1⁄2 – 2 lbs
• Shank or rump end: 21⁄2 – 4 lbs
• Butt or shoulder end: 31⁄2 – 8 lbs

So you can see there’s a whole range of ham sizes to suit any occasion. Here are some quick rules of thumb:

• For a small dinner, opt for ham steaks or slices in the 3⁄4 to 1 lb range.
• For a crowd, choose a whole bone-in ham from 14-19 lbs.
• In between, try a half boneless ham from 4-8 lbs.

Now that you know typical ham weights, you can shop with confidence and get just the right amount for your meal or gathering. Happy ham season!

A Guide to Popular Cuts of Ham

To make the most of your ham, it helps to know the common cuts and their unique qualities:

Whole Bone-In Ham

This is the classic ham with the femur bone running through. Usually the butt end is more lean while the shank end is fattier with more bone.

Weight: 14-19 lbs

Best Uses: Big holiday meals, feeds a crowd

Shank Half Ham

This is the bottom half of a whole ham including the shank bone. It’s cheaper but bone-in.

Weight: 7-9 lbs

Best Uses: Smaller holiday meals for 8-15 people

Butt Half Ham

The meatier top half taken from a whole ham. Contains a portion of the femur bone.

Weight: 7-11 lbs

Best Uses: Holiday and Sunday dinners for 10-20 people.

Spiral Sliced Ham

A whole or half bone-in ham sliced vertically for easier serving. The shank end has more bone.

Weight: 9-14 lbs

Best Uses: Holiday meals, parties, large family dinners.

Boneless Ham

The bone is removed before rolling and tying into the classic rounded shape. Easy to carve.

Weight: 4-12 lbs

Best Uses: Sunday dinners, smaller gatherings, weeknight meals.

Ham Steak

A thick cross-section slice from the meatier center of the ham. Boneless and easy to cook.

Weight: 3⁄4 – 11⁄2 lbs

Best Uses: Individual dinners, sandwiches, breakfasts

Quick Tips for Cooking Ham

• Cook bone-in hams and portions at 325°F until internal temperature reaches 140°F.

• For boneless hams or steaks, cook to slightly higher 160°F for food safety.

• Bake ham uncovered to crisp the outside, brushing with glaze in the last 30 minutes.

• For spiral hams, heat in oven at 325°F until warmed through, about 10-15 minutes per pound.

• Cook ham steaks in a skillet over medium high heat for 4-5 minutes per side.

• Leftover cooked ham keeps for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, or 2-3 months in the freezer.

With the weight knowledge above, you’ll now be able to easily shop for the perfect size ham. Whether you’re feeding an army or just your family, you’ll head to the market prepared. Happy ham season!