Which would you grab first: turkey or ham? There are so many things to think about, like what the occasion is, what’s cheaper, and what your guests want.
During the holiday season, both turkey and ham are great options this time of year. Personal taste is the only thing that really matters, but I’ll explain what I think is better on the plate and why. I will also talk about ways to save money and time, as well as what to do with leftovers.
The holidays are fast approaching which means it’s time to start planning the menu for your next Thanksgiving feast. The centerpiece of most Thanksgiving meals is usually a large roasted bird typically turkey. But is it time to break from tradition and choose ham instead? We say yes! Here are 9 compelling reasons why ham is better than turkey for your Thanksgiving celebration
1. Ham Is More Flavorful
Turkey tends to have a rather mild, blank-canvas flavor. Ham, on the other hand, packs a much more robust, meaty punch. Cured or smoked holiday hams are rubbed with aromatic spices, smoked over flavorful woods, and glazed with sweet sauces. This adds incredible depth of flavor that plain roasted turkey simply can’t match.
2. Juicier and More Tender Meat
Due to its low fat content turkey breast meat is prone to drying out and becoming stringy. Ham has higher fat marbled throughout which keeps it tender and juicy during roasting. For this reason it’s much harder to overcook ham to the point of dryness. No one wants a dried out hunk of bird on Thanksgiving!
3. Lower Cost Per Serving
Pound for pound, ham is often cheaper than buying a whole turkey And since ham carves easier with less waste compared to poultry, you can stretch your budget further by serving ham as the main protein
4. Easier Prep and Cooking
Choosing ham eliminates the hassle of lengthy thawing, complicated trussing, finding a roasting pan to fit a huge bird, and struggling to flip the turkey in a crowded oven. Ham can be scored, glazed, and thrown in the oven for a fuss-free feast.
5. Kids Prefer It
The velvety texture and milder flavor profile of holiday ham makes it a hit with kids and picky eaters. Turkey can be dense and stringy in texture. For families with children, ham is likely the safer choice.
6. Excellent Leftovers
Leftover holiday ham makes fantastic sandwiches, omelets, soups, and casserole dishes in the days following Thanksgiving. It retains moisture and flavor better than turkey when stored and reheated.
7. Faster Cook Time
A stuffed turkey needs upwards of 4-5 hours roasting time, while a bone-in ham roast only bakes for about 25 minutes per pound. That’s an hour or more time savings on Thanksgiving Day.
8. Lower Food Safety Risk
Turkey requires meticulous handwashing, equipment sanitizing and cooking vigilance to avoid salmonella risk. Cured ham is much lower risk, freeing you up to focus on sides and mingling with guests, not food safety perils.
9. More Versatile Flavor Options
While turkey is typically roasted plain, ham can take on endless flavor possibilities. You can choose smoked, honey-glazed, brown sugar cured, pineapple studded, and more for a signature feast.
Give Ham a Try This Thanksgiving!
If you’re burnt out on bland poultry this holiday season, mix things up by making ham the star of your Thanksgiving spread. With its juicy texture, big bold flavor, kid-friendly appeal and ease of cooking, ham is a fantastic alternative to turkey. Surprise your guests with this fun break from tradition. No matter what’s on the menu, the real joy of Thanksgiving is gathering with loved ones.
How much turkey per person?
When cooking an entire turkey, plan for about 1 ½ pounds per person. For example, if you are feeding 5 people, purchase a turkey that is about 7 pounds.
If you use a boneless breast, you don’t have to worry about how much it weighs because the bones are already taken care of. With all the other food on the table, you might have some left over, which isn’t always a bad thing.
How much ham per person?
First of all there are a few different types of ham. The main thing to consider is bone in vs boneless. When cooking a bone-in ham, plan for 1/3-1/2 pounds per person. If you are using a boneless ham, plan for 1/4-1/3 pound per serving. I like to plan for a little extra because I use ham in other side dishes, like green beans.
Overall, turkey is recommended over ham for nutrition. However, this is based on sodium content. Ham is very high in sodium, but it is rich in zinc, potassium, and iron.
Ham has been used for generations to add salt and flavor to other dishes. So, be very careful about adding more salt to ham or foods that you’ve already added ham to.
Also some people don’t eat pork while generally most people will eat turkey.
Turkey meat is also richer in protein, phosphorus, copper, and vitamins. But if you want to make a real Thanksgiving turkey, you will probably add a lot of butter and salt before cooking it and gravy on top when it’s done. So, “healthy” is probably a stretch for the Thanksgiving turkey too.
If you are buying a Thanksgiving turkey, you can expect to pay between $1-$3 per pound. Fresh turkeys will cost a little more per pound, but they are lighter so the cost evens out. They are also superior in taste as fresh usually tastes better than frozen.
If you are buying a Thanksgiving ham, you can expect to pay between $5-$7 per pound. There are many different variations and cuts of ham also.
Don’t be afraid to ask someone coming over to take care of one of these proteins for you. Ham is usually a better choice for someone to pick up because it can be cooked and cut ahead of time (like spiral cut hams), making it easier to bring and saving you money.
The other good news is that grocery stores know that turkey and ham are big ticket items. They run specials to keep Thanksgiving more affordable, so keep an eye out for that.
Everyone is going to try the Thanksgiving turkey, and everyone is going to remember it. So it better be good!.
There are many steps that go into making a tasty whole turkey, like brining it overnight, seasoning it, stuffing it, and basting it as it cooks. Don’t rush; it takes a lot of time but is the main dish at most Thanksgiving meals, so do it right.
Ham vs Turkey: A Thanksgiving Showdown!
FAQ
Why should you eat ham instead of turkey on Thanksgiving?
Why is ham healthier than turkey?
Do most people prefer ham or turkey?
What food is better than turkey for Thanksgiving?
Is a Thanksgiving turkey healthier than a ham?
Regardless of how it is prepared, turkey remains the healthier meat compared to ham.
Is turkey meat better than Ham?
Overall, turkey meat is a better alternative than ham. This article examines the differences between turkey meat and ham regarding general aspects, nutritional profile, and health impact. Turkey meat is the world’s second most popular poultry meat, and it is a cost-effective source of high-quality protein for human use.
Is Ham a suitable Thanksgiving meal?
Ham is a popular and flavorful choice for a Thanksgiving meal. It is filling and perfect to add protein to your meal. Plus, it can be cooked ahead of time and reheated when needed, making it a convenient option among the traditional thanksgiving foods.
Can you eat leftover ham on Thanksgiving?
Tell your incompetent cousin to bring it! But ham’s true contribution kicks in on Thanksgiving Weekend, when the pajamas are donned and the sandwiches are assembled. With leftover ham in the mix, any old turkey sandwich can become a deluxe deli combo, and who wouldn’t want that?
How many people eat turkey & ham each Thanksgiving?
Americans consume around 46 million turkeys and 24.75 million pounds of bone-in ham each Thanksgiving, according to an article published by The Washington Post. Tradition may favor the turkey, but both 46 million people and ham remain in demand.
Should you eat a smoked turkey ham sandwich?
When ham is an option, all of a sudden there’s Dijon on my sandwich in addition to the usual mayo, and if the turkey’s a little dry, the nice juicy ham helps fix that. Ham: so much to be thankful for. A small, smoked Thanksgiving Ham makes all the difference when the leftovers sandwiches are assembled.