Planning a holiday meal with ham as the centerpiece can seem daunting, especially when figuring out how much ham to buy. A 9 pound bone-in ham is a popular size for gatherings of 8-12 people. But to determine more precisely how many a 9 pound ham will feed, there are a few factors to consider.
Key Factors That Determine Ham Servings
The number of servings from a 9 pound ham depends on:
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Bone-in vs Boneless – Bone-in ham has less edible meat per pound compared to boneless Plan on 3/4 lb per person for bone-in and 1/2 lb per person for boneless,
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Leftovers – Buying extra allows for leftovers which most hosts want. Add 1-2 lbs for leftovers.
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Appetites – Guests may take smaller portions if there are a lot of side dishes. Or have second helpings if the ham is a highlight.
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Serving Style – Carved ham results in smaller portions. A buffet style may lead to larger portions.
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Ham Type – Smoked or cured ham tends to have a stronger flavor so smaller portions may satisfy.
Bone-In Ham Servings
For bone-in ham, a common guideline is 3/4 lb per person. So for a 9 lb bone-in ham:
- 9 lbs ham x (1 person / 0.75 lbs) = 12 servings
But most hosts want leftovers, so add 1-2 lbs:
- 7-8 lbs for guests = 10-11 people
- 1-2 lbs for leftovers
The following table provides estimates for bone-in ham servings based on guest count:
| Number of People | Amount of Bone-in Ham |
|---|---|
| 8 – 10 | 6 – 7 1/2 lbs |
| 10 – 12 | 7 1/2 – 9 lbs |
| 15 – 20 | 9 – 15 lbs |
| 25 – 30 | 19 – 22 1/2 lbs |
So a 9 lb bone-in ham will feed 8-12 people comfortably.
Boneless Ham Servings
For boneless ham, plan on 1/2 lb per person. So a 9 lb boneless ham provides:
- 9 lbs ham x (1 person / 0.5 lbs) = 18 servings
Accounting for 1-2 lbs of leftovers:
- 7-8 lbs for guests = 14-16 people
- 1-2 lbs leftovers
Boneless ham serving estimates based on guest count:
| Number of People | Amount of Boneless Ham |
|---|---|
| 8 – 10 | 4 – 5 lbs |
| 10 – 12 | 5 – 6 lbs |
| 15 – 20 | 8 – 10 lbs |
| 25 – 30 | 13 – 15 lbs |
A 9 lb boneless ham will feed 12-18 people, providing more generous portions or leftovers.
Serving Style Impact
The serving style can significantly impact portions:
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Carved – With ham carved at the table, people tend to take smaller portions.
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Buffet – Allowing guests to serve themselves results in larger portions.
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Leftovers – Having leftovers available encourages larger first servings.
If plated meals will be served, err on the lower end of serving estimates. For buffet style or to ensure leftovers, go with the higher numbers.
Planning Your 9 Pound Ham
A 9 pound bone-in ham is a great size for 8-12 guests. With boneless you can serve up to 18. Calculate 3/4 pound per person for bone-in and 1/2 pound for boneless. Add 1-2 pounds if you want ample leftovers. Understand that serving style and appetites can also impact portions. With these tips you can determine exactly how many your 9 pound ham will feed.
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FAQ
How many does a 9 pound spiral ham serve?
What size ham for 10 adults?
What size Christmas ham for 8 adults?
How many pounds of ham do I need for 24 people?
How many people eat a ham?
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 You may want to purchase a slightly heavier spiral ham if you’re hoping to have leftover ham per person for sandwiches for the next few days! Related: Here’s Exactly How Long To Cook a 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
How many pounds of Ham per person?
These guidelines will walk you through how many pounds of ham per person you need of boneless, bone-in or honey ham to go around. Related: How To Carve a Ham How Much Ham per Person? Figure each person will eat about 1/4 to 1/3 pounds of ham.
How much Ham do you need for a party?
That would amount to about 10 to 15 people or 3 to 15 pounds of ham depending on the type of ham you plan to cook. For celebrations with a long guest list containing about 20 or more people, don’t hesitate to go beyond the 20-pound maximum requirement since you have to cater to a rather large crowd. See out catering for big groups.