When choosing bony ham (which is heavier), plan for about 1/2 pound per person, and 1/3 pound if choosing boneless ham. In the end, some people will eat more than they expected, while others will eat less; it will all be balanced. If you’re making a lot of side dishes, choose a smaller size; if you text your roommate, “ham party at 3pm on a Sunday,” buy more. If you want to make ham sandwiches, breakfast omelets and quiches, or small ham croquettes, add an extra pound or two to your order.
If served boneless or ham:
Estimate that each individual will consume 1/4 to 1/3 pound of ham. If everyone eats 1/3 pound of boneless ham or honey ham, here’s a basic estimate of how much you’ll need per person:
If you want to have leftover ham per person for a sandwich, you may want to get a slightly heavier ham!
If serving ham with bones:
In your calculations, you must include the weight of the bone. Per person, you need about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of beef. Here’s how much bone ham you’ll need per person based on everyone eating 1/2 pound:
Again, you may want to get a slightly larger whole ham to ensure that everyone has enough meat to take home.
What is the best serving of ham to buy
Bone-in ham is sold in half-pound increments. When buying bone-in ham, you should think about the portion of the ham you want.
- This is a great choice for a picture-perfect table because the calf end (or leg section) has the iconic ham profile. The flesh is leaner and has only one long bone, making carving easier.
- The rump tip (top of the ham) offers a deeper flavor because the meat is softer and more fatty. However, it contained a T-shaped bone that was difficult to carve. But don’t worry; we have some pointers on how to cut ham perfectly.
Editor’s tip: The semi-boneless ham, with the shank bone removed but the leg bone left in, provides a win-win situation for easier carving without sacrificing flavor.
Boneless Ham
Boneless ham is always an option if comfort is more important to you than bone-perfecting appearance and taste. Bones are removed from this variety, and the ham is pressed into a recognizable oval shape. The added salt breaks down the protein in boneless ham, causing it to re-form in a sense. Obviously, this is the simplest way to engrave. You can’t go wrong with this Easy and Elegant Ham recipe.
For ten people, how much ham do I need
Molly Siegler, recipe developer and food editor at Whole Foods Market, recommends one-quarter to one-half pound of boneless ham per person and half to three-quarters of a pound of boneless ham per meal.
In other words, if you’re serving 10 people, you’ll need boneless ham that weighs between 2 1/2 and 5 pounds, or ham with bones that weighs half a pound and 7 1/2 pounds. Siegler suggests spiral-sliced hams at this point for easy ham preparation because “they work really well for serving and make Christmas preparation a little easier,” he wrote in an email.
For 12 people, how much ham do I need
The following assumptions are used in our little calculator how much ham I need per person:
- A boneless ham weighing 0.45 pounds (0.2 kg) is required for the average individual.
- You need 0.65 lb (0.3 kg) per person if you are using bone ham.
Calculation of the size of the ham you should do is quite easy:
For boneless ham, follow these directions:
For the ham bone-in, follow these instructions:
So we need 5.4 pounds of boneless ham or:
So now that you know how much ham I need to feed 12 people, check out our turkey calculator to get ready for next Thanksgiving!
- Time to roast the turkey
- Time to thaw the turkey
Is spiral ham superior to traditional ham
Spiral cut ham is available. All you need to do is make one lateral cut, and the meat will peel off in tiny layers. A whole ham, on the other hand, requires considerable cutting skills. Whole hams have the advantage of being less likely to dry out during cooking, but if you’re careful with how you prepare them, spirally sliced ham will suffice. Spiral-cut ham is usually my go-to.
Bone-in ham or spiral ham: which is better
The popularity of bone-in ham is undeniable! This all has to do with the fact that ham tastes better with bones in it. This maintains a balance of flavor and moisture, so you don’t have to worry about it getting too dry. Even if bone-in ham is more appealing to the eye when glazed or garnished, the fact that bone-in ham can be difficult to handle should not be overlooked. Have you ever tried carving ham out of bone? (Here’s how to do it.)
How to Cook Bone-in Ham
Preheat oven to 325F for fully cooked bone-in ham. Remove any remaining skin from the ham and carve a crosshatch design with a knife all over. In a skillet, cook the ham with the flat side down. Before putting the ham in the oven, remember to add a little water and a few cloves of garlic for added flavor. Cook the ham bone-in for a total of 2 1/2 hours.
What is Spiral Ham?
Last but not least, spiral ham is a delicacy for Easter, Christmas and other festivals where a centerpiece is required. Spiral ham can be boneless, but most spiral hams are made by slicing the bony ham into one large spiral shape. Due to the extra work put into the butcher’s block, spiral bone-in hams not only have a naturally fresh taste and are durable, but are also much easier to cut. Despite the bone, you have a different cutting line to follow when slicing.
Is boneless ham better than boneless ham
Ready-to-eat boneless and boneless ham available; the bone-in ham was superior in every way but one: ease of slicing. Bones add flavor and moisture to a dish while enhancing its presentation. In addition, ham bones are an invaluable culinary utensil. You can cook them with black peas or collard greens (or both), make ham broth or soup with them, use them to flavor slow cooker jambalaya, or prepare a one-pot dinner with white beans and smoked ham.
