How Much Ham Per Person Do You Need for Sandwiches? A Complete Guide

Sandwiches are a classic meal for both simple family dinners and big gatherings with friends. But figuring out exactly how much deli meat or ham to buy can be tricky. You want to make sure everyone gets enough to eat without wasting food or money. So how much ham per person for sandwiches is really needed? Let’s break it down.

Key Factors That Determine Amount of Ham Needed

There are a few key things that determine how much ham you’ll need per sandwich:

Type of ham – Bone-in ham requires more per serving than boneless or sliced deli ham Country ham also needs more than a lightly cured city ham
Sandwich size – Mini tea sandwiches need less ham than large sub-style sandwiches Factor in bread size
Appetites – Consider if you’re serving big eaters or those with lighter appetites. More ham may be required
Leftovers – Will there be lots of side dishes or leftovers from a previous meal? Less ham per sandwich may be needed.
Extras – Will you add cheese, veggies, condiments? These make sandwiches more filling.

Handy Serving Size Guidelines Per Person

As a general guideline, here are common ham serving sizes per person:

Bone-in ham – 1⁄2 pound per serving
Boneless ham – 1⁄3 pound per serving
Deli ham – 2-3 ounces per sandwich

For deli meat, if using 1 slice per sandwich, plan on about 4 ounces per sandwich. Here’s a handy serving size chart:

Type of Ham	Serving Size Per Person
Bone-in ham	1⁄2 pound
Boneless ham	1⁄3 pound
Deli ham	2-3 ounces per sandwich

These are general estimates. Adjust amounts as needed for your specific recipe and the appetites of your diners. It’s better to have extra than not enough!

Shopping and Storing Ham for Sandwiches

To get the freshest, safest ham for sandwiches:

Check labels for refrigeration needs. Purchase refrigerated ham last at the grocery store.
Inspect packaging carefully for leaks that could contaminate other food. Place leaking packages into plastic bags.
Refrigerate ham immediately after purchase. Store bone-in ham in original wrap up to 1 week. Store sliced meats in airtight containers or bags.
Freeze deli ham in airtight bags or containers in 1 pound portions. Place paper towels in each to absorb liquid during thawing.
Only buy enough deli meat on sale for 1-2 days max. Give it a sniff test before purchasing.

Proper shopping and storage keeps ham fresh and safe for delicious sandwiches!

Tasty Ways to Serve Ham Sandwiches

Try these tasty ways to serve ham sandwiches:

Classic ham and cheese with lettuce, tomato, mayo
Honey glazed ham with pesto mayo and pickled red onions
Breakfast ham sandwich with cheese and egg
Ham salad sandwich on croissant – ham mixed with mayo, celery, onion
Grilled ham and cheese panini
Ham with melty brie and apple slices
Ham, havarti and cranberry sauce for a touch of tart
Ham and swiss with dijon mustard on pretzel roll
Ham with fresh mozzarella, basil and sun dried tomato pesto

Get creative with cheese, veggies, fruits, sauces and breads! Combine flavors that complement the salty ham.

Vegetarian and Vegan Ham Sandwich Alternatives

For plant-based sandwiches, try these ham alternative ideas:

Meatless deli slices like Sweet Earth Ham Style
Grilled pineapple, zucchini or eggplant with smoky seasoning
Hummus, tempeh bacon, avocado and sprouts sandwich
Lentil patties for an earthy, protein-packed substitute
Grilled portobello mushrooms marinated in balsamic vinaigrette
Chickpea salad mixed with vegan mayo, celery, onions and spices

With so many options like vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and meat substitutes, vegetarians and vegans can re-create the ham sandwich experience. Get creative with flavors and textures.

Handy Formulas to Estimate Ham Needed

To easily calculate how much ham you need for your crowd, use these simple formulas:

Bone-in ham: Number of people x 0.5 pounds per serving
Boneless ham: Number of people x 1⁄3 pound per serving
Deli ham: Number of sandwiches x 2-4 ounces per sandwich

For example, for a party of 20 with bone-in ham sandwiches:

20 people x 0.5 pounds per serving = 10 pounds of bone-in ham needed

When in doubt, remember it’s better to have extra than not enough ham! Adjust amounts based on appetites and leftovers.

Shop Smart, Store Properly, Get Creative!

Now you’ve got expert tips on how much ham per person you need when making sandwiches for any occasion. Shop smart, consider the type of ham and serving sizes. Store ham properly after purchasing. And get creative with ham sandwich recipes to satisfy all tastes. With the right amount of ham, you’ll have happy guests and minimal waste.

Simple Hawaiian Roll Sandwich Tray

FAQ

How many people does 1 lb of sliced ham feed?

Plan to serve 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person for a boneless ham. If you have a ton of sides for your ham, you can probably lean more towards 1/3 of a pound, or make another main course, like a holiday pot roast.

How much ham do I need for 10 adults?

That means for a 10-person Easter dinner, you’ll need a bone-in ham that weighs between 7.5-10 pounds or a 5-pound boneless ham. If you’re serving country ham, though, you’ll need way less of it. Although it is delicious, the saltiness will prevent people from heaping it on their plates.

How many people will a 10 lb spiral ham feed?

Bone-In Spiral-Cut Ham Estimate 3/4 to 1 pound per person for a bone-in ham. No matter what size ham you purchase, save the bone to make the best bean soup or save some ham for sandwiches, casseroles, and other leftover dishes.

How many pounds of ham do I need for 12 sandwiches?

Number of People	Amount of Boneless Ham
4 – 6	2 – 3 lbs
6 – 8	3 – 4 lbs
8 – 10	4 – 5 lbs
10 – 12	5 – 6 lbs

How much Ham do you need for a ham sandwich?

For boneless ham, a serving size of one person should be about 1/3 pound and one serving size of two people should be about 1/2 pound. Next, think about the size of the sandwich you’ll be making. If you’re making smaller sandwiches, such as finger sandwiches, you may need less ham per person than if you’re making larger sandwiches.

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 many ounces of Ham do you need per person?

For sliced ham, you will need approximately 2-3 ounces per person. This will provide each person with a standard “sandwich slice” rather than shaved. How many pounds of deli meat do I need to feed 40 people?

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.