Things have been pretty busy here at Mortadella Head lately. Our catering division has really been growing.
I’ve been spending a lot of time talking to people who are planning parties and events. What I’ve learned is that everyone wants to make sure their event is perfect.
They want to make sure that the food is good and there is plenty of it.
Here are some of the most common questions I get asked when planning a catering event.
Sandwiches are a quick, easy and delicious meal that can be enjoyed any time of day But when making sandwiches for a crowd, it can be tricky to figure out how much sliced deli ham or ham to buy per person You want to make sure everyone gets enough to eat without having loads of leftover meat. So how much ham do you really need for sandwiches? Let’s break it down in this ultimate guide.
Key Factors For Determining Ham Needed Per Sandwich
There are a few key things that determine how much sliced ham you’ll need when making sandwiches
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Type of Ham – Bone-in ham requires more per sandwich than boneless or deli ham,
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Sandwich Size – Smaller sandwiches like tea sandwiches need less than large sub-style ones.
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Appetites – Hearty eaters will want more ham than lighter eaters.
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Leftovers – Will there be side dishes or other leftovers? Less ham may be needed per sandwich then.
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Add-Ons – Cheese, veggies, condiments make sandwiches more filling so less ham may be required.
Sliced Ham Serving Size Guidelines Per Person
As a general guideline for ham sandwich servings:
- Bone-in Ham: 1⁄2 pound per person
- Boneless Ham: 1⁄3 pound per person
- Deli Ham: 2-3 ounces per sandwich
So for a boneless ham sandwich for one person, plan on about 1⁄3 pound of meat. For two people, use 1⁄2 pound. For deli ham, allow 2-3 ounces or 4-6 slices per sandwich.
Here is a helpful 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 |
Of course, serving sizes can vary based on appetite, leftovers, and other factors. It’s always better to have extra than not enough!
Buying and Storing Ham for Sandwiches
When purchasing ham for sandwiches, follow these useful tips:
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For freshness, buy ham and deli meat at end of shopping trip to reduce time at unsafe temps.
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Inspect packaging carefully for leaks that could contaminate other food. Place leaking packages in plastic bags.
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Refrigerate ham promptly after purchasing. Store bone-in ham in packaging up to 1 week. Keep sliced ham and deli meat in airtight containers or bags.
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To freeze, use airtight bags or containers in 1 pound portions. Add paper towel to each package to absorb liquid during thawing.
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Only buy deli meat you will use in 1-2 days maximum. Give it a sniff test before purchasing.
Proper storage keeps ham fresh and safe for sandwich making.
Tips for Serving Sliced Ham Sandwiches
Once you have the right amount of ham, get creative with these serving ideas:
- Classic ham and cheese with lettuce, tomato
- Honey ham with pesto and pickled onions
- Breakfast sandwich with ham, egg, cheese on English muffin
- Ham salad sandwich – diced ham, mayo, mustard, onions, celery
- Grilled ham and cheese
- Ham with pineapple rings
- Ham and avocado with sprouts
Mix and match ham with cheese, veggies, fruits, sauces and other toppings between your choice of breads. Options are endless for easy yet delicious ham sandwiches.
Vegetarian and Vegan Ham Alternatives
For those avoiding meat, try these vegetarian and vegan “ham” ideas:
- Meatless deli slices like Sweet Earth Harmless Ham
- Watermelon “ham” with the right spices and smokiness
- Hummus instead of mayo for creaminess
- Seitan or tofu roasts to mimic ham
- Grilled eggplant or portobello mushrooms for “meaty” texture
With the many meat substitutes and creative options today, vegetarians and vegans can still enjoy ham sandwich flavors.
When making ham sandwiches for a group, allow 1⁄2 pound of bone-in ham per person, 1⁄3 pound of boneless ham per person, or 2-3 ounces of deli ham per sandwich. Follow proper purchasing and storage methods. Get creative with ham, cheese and veggie combinations between bread. Even meatless options can satisfy “ham” sandwich cravings. Use this guide for the perfect crowd-pleasing ham sandwiches every time.
Here’s what you need to make the ideal sandwich:
Roll
You need a great sub roll. It should be crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. Depending on where you’re from it might be called a hero or a hoagie roll.
Whatever you want to call it, make sure you get a nice one.
Cold Cuts
This sub calls for 6 ounces of meat. Get 3 ounces of turkey and 3 ounces of ham. It’s a lot of meat.
This one is for big eaters.
Make sure you get it sliced super thin. Ask the deli guy to shave it for you.
Vegetables
Get some iceberg lettuce and shred it thin.
Slice some fresh tomatoes pretty thin too.
We also want to slice an onion really thin.
As you can see, slicing everything thin is important when making the perfect sandwich. That’s how you achieve the best experience in sandwich eating.
It sounds crazy, but it’s really true.
Condiments
On this sub, we’ll put mayo, hot pepper relish, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper. It’s the perfect combination of flavors!.
A small amount of the hot pepper relish is perfect. It won’t be too spicy, but adds loads of flavor.
What type of food do you suggest for my event?
This question comes up a lot. People really want to make sure that they have food that everyone will love.
Depending on the event and the time of day, here are some of the things I suggest.
Pizza
Pizza is always a crowd pleasing solution. Especially our pizza.
Our sauce is always homemade. We went to Rome to learn how to make our pizza dough. It’s pretty special.
It takes 72 hours to complete. It’s a cold fermentation process that creates a lot of flavor and the perfect texture.
Chicken Parm
A good rule of thumb is to have some chicken parmesan. We pound out our chicken breast so it’s thin and crispy when we fry it. It gets smothered in our homemade tomato sauce and lots of cheese.
It’s the perfect main course for any event with a couple good side dishes.
Cold Cut Sandwiches
Sandwich trays are always a good idea. Everyone loves a well crafted sandwich. People think making their own sandwiches is fun.
Sandwiches don’t need to be kept warm. You can leave them out at room temperature and they will be perfect.
Charcuterie Board
A good selection of cured meats and cheeses makes everyone happy. Add some pickled vegetables, jams and nuts. It’s a great way to give people the ability to try new things.
I Saved $10 Per Pound On Deli Turkey Lunch Meat
FAQ
How many sandwiches does 1 lb of ham make?
How much sliced ham do I need for 20 people?
How much deli meat do I need for 30 sandwiches?
How many slices of ham do I need for a sandwich?
How much sliced ham do you need for a sandwich?
The amount of sliced ham you’ll need per person for sandwiches depends on a few factors, such as the type of ham, the size of the sandwich, and the appetites of your guests. If you’re using bone-in ham, plan for about 1/2 pound per person.
How much Ham do you eat per person?
As a general rule of thumb, here are some sliced ham serving size guidelines per person: So for boneless ham, serving one person, plan on about 1⁄3 pound. Serving two people, use 1⁄2 pound. With deli meat, if you want one slice per sandwich, plan on 4 ounces of meat per sandwich. Here’s a simple chart to visualize the common serving sizes:
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 deli meat do you need for a sandwich?
If you’re using deli meat for your sandwiches, a good rule of thumb is to order two to three ounces of meat per sandwich. This means that one pound of deli meat will make about five to six sandwiches. Keep in mind that cheese slices should be ordered thinner than deli meat, so you’ll have more cheese slices to layer on.