Whether it’s Easter Sunday or Christmas dinner, a beautifully glazed ham is a classic centerpiece. But determining the right size ham to buy can be tricky. You want to make sure you have enough for your guests while avoiding expensive leftovers. So how much ham per person should you plan to serve? Read on for tips and guidelines.
Key Factors That Determine Ham Portions
There are a few key considerations when figuring out ham serving sizes:
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Bone-in vs. boneless – Bone-in ham weighs more per pound. Plan for more meat per guest with boneless.
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Deli vs. whole – Pre-sliced deli ham requires smaller portions than a full bakery ham.
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Appetites – Guests with heartier appetites will want larger servings.
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Leftovers – If you’ll have lots of sides and desserts, smaller ham portions may suffice
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Sandwiches – Will you serve ham sandwiches later? That uses up more ham.
Recommended Serving Size Per Person
As a general rule of thumb, here are the recommended serving sizes per person:
- Bone-in ham – 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 pound per person
- Boneless ham – 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 pound per person
- Deli ham – 2-4 ounces per sandwich
For deli ham, if using 1 slice per sandwich, plan for about 4 ounces per sandwich Here’s a handy serving size chart
| Type of Ham | Serving Size Per Person |
|---|---|
| Bone-in ham | 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 pound |
| Boneless ham | 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 pound |
| Deli ham | 2-4 ounces per sandwich |
Adjust amounts based on appetites, leftovers, and your menu. It’s better to have too much than not enough ham!
Shopping and Storing Ham
Follow these tips when buying and storing ham:
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Check the label for refrigeration needs. Purchase refrigerated ham last at the store.
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Look for leaks in packaging that could contaminate other food. Use plastic bags for leaking packages.
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Refrigerate ham right away after purchasing. Store bone-in ham in original wrap up to 1 week. Keep sliced ham in airtight containers or bags.
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Freeze deli ham in airtight bags or containers in 1 pound portions. Place paper towels inside to absorb liquid during thawing.
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Only buy enough deli meat on sale for 1-2 days max. Give it a sniff test before purchasing.
Proper shopping and storage prevents waste and keeps ham fresh!
Creative Ways to Serve Ham
Liven up your holiday ham with these tasty serving suggestions:
- Classic ham and cheese sandwiches with veggies
- Honey glazed ham with pesto spread and pickled red onions
- Eggs Benedict breakfast sandwiches with ham and hollandaise
- Ham salad with mayo, mustard, celery and onions for sandwiches or wraps
- Ham and melty brie panini grilled to crispy perfection
- Ham paired with fresh mozzarella, basil, and sun dried tomato pesto on ciabatta
- Ham, apple, and cheddar bake as a savory side dish
With so many quick and easy options, ham can be repurposed into all kinds of delicious dishes after the main holiday meal. Get creative with recipes!
Vegetarian and Vegan Ham Alternatives
For plant-based and vegan meals, try these mock ham options:
- Meatless deli slices like Sweet Earth Ham Style
- Grilled and smoked portobello mushrooms
- Chickpea salad with vegan mayo, spices and smoky flavor
- Hearty lentil patties or bean burgers
- Tofurky or seitan roast for texture similar to ham
- Tempeh bacon along with hummus and veggie fillings
With the right seasoning and preparation, fruits, vegetables, legumes and meat substitutes can provide ham-like flavors and satisfaction without the meat. Explore creative recipes!
Simple Formulas to Estimate Ham
To easily calculate how much ham you need for a crowd, use these formulas:
- Bone-in ham: Number of people x 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 pounds per serving
- Boneless ham: Number of people x 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 pounds per serving
- Deli ham: Number of sandwiches x 2-4 ounces per sandwich
For example, for 10 people with bone-in ham:
- 10 people x 1⁄2 pound per serving = 5 pounds of bone-in ham needed
Adjust amounts up if you expect heartier appetites or want lots of leftovers. And when in doubt, it’s better to have too much ham than not enough!
Takeaway for Holiday Ham Shopping
Use these tips to determine the right ham size for your holiday crowd. Consider the type of ham, serving sizes, and your menu. Shop carefully, store properly, and get creative with servings. With the proper amount, you’ll have satisfied guests and minimal waste. Happy ham season!
How much Honey Baked Ham is needed per person?
FAQ
How much ham do I need for 10 adults?
How many will a 5 pound ham feed?
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Number of People
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Amount of Boneless Ham
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6 – 8
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3 – 4 lbs
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8 – 10
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4 – 5 lbs
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10 – 12
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5 – 6 lbs
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15 – 20
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8 – 10 lbs
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How many people does a 10 lb spiral ham feed?
What size Christmas ham for 8 adults?
How much Ham do you eat per person?
Figure each person will eat about 1/4 to 1/3 pounds of ham. Here’s a general guide for how much boneless ham or honey ham you’ll need per person, for a table of 4 people all the way to a gathering of 20 people. Related: Best Baked Ham Recipes If everyone consumes 1/3 pounds of ham: 4 people – 1.3 pounds 6 people – 2 pounds 12 people – 4 pounds
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
How much Ham should a dinner party eat?
If your dinner party prefers country ham, you’ll likely need a smaller amount, because the ham’s saltiness and intensity will keep your guests’ portions on the smaller side. We recommend 1/4 to 1/3 pounds per person at most, though you can round up slightly for a bone-in ham.
How much boneless ham do you need per person?
Here’s a general guide for how much boneless ham or honey ham you’ll need per person, for a table of 4 people all the way to a gathering of 20 people. Related: Best Baked Ham Recipes If everyone consumes 1/3 pounds of ham: 4 people – 1.3 pounds 6 people – 2 pounds 12 people – 4 pounds 20 people – 6 pounds