There is something about a cold cut platter that makes me happy. A good deli platter is like a work of art if you ask me. Piles of meat, cheese and garnishes arranged on a big tray is a beautiful thing.
I remember as a child going straight to the cold cut tray when I walked into a family party or holiday get-together. I loved staring at it and deciding my plan of attack. I wonder how many pounds of roast beef sandwiches I’ve eaten over the years.
What kind of sandwich would I make first? Would I use mayonnaise or mustard? Maybe both?
I’m still really into cold cut platters today. I love making them for our catering customers at Mortadella Head. They need to have the right combination of meat, cheese, vegetables and spreads. They also need to be made with a lot of care so they look good.
A proper cold cut platter should be the centerpiece of the buffet table at every party.
A piled-high ham sandwich can be a little slice of heaven. When prepping ham sandwiches for a party or event, it’s key to know how much deli meat you need. But how many sandwiches can you make with a pound of ham? Estimates range widely based on the thickness of the slices and the size of the bread. This guide will walk you through exactly how to calculate and maximize your sandwiches per pound of ham.
Why Sandwich Counts Vary
The number of sandwiches yielded from a pound of deli ham can be anywhere from 5 to possibly 8 or more This wide range depends on a few factors
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Thickness of the slices – Thinner slices produce more per pound, while thick slices make fewer sandwiches. The typical deli ham slice ranges from 1/8” to 3/16” thick.
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Pre-packaged vs. fresh sliced – Pre-packaged ham often has irregular, thick slices that give less per pound compared to fresh deli-counter shaved ham.
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Bread size – Small rolls and bread allow for more sandwiches from a pound than large, thick bakery bread slices.
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Additional ingredients – Piling on extra fillings like cheese and veggies requires more deli meat.
So while 5-6 sandwiches per pound is a safe estimate the specifics of your ham’s slicing and sandwich construction impact the totals.
Calculating Your Exact Sandwich Count
To calculate a more precise sandwich count for an event, follow these steps:
- Choose your ideal slice thickness – thinner yields more.
- Weigh your unsliced ham to determine the starting poundage.
- Ask for a sample slice cut to the thickness you want.
- Weigh that sample slice.
- Divide the total ham pounds by the sample slice weight.
For example, if you have 2 lbs of uncured ham and your 1/8” sample slice is 0.5 oz, dividing 2 lbs (32 oz) by 0.5 oz equals ~64 slices or 10-13 sandwiches.
As always, real-world sandwich assembly may vary slightly. Order a bit extra deli meat to be safe!
Factors that Impact Sandwiches Per Pound
Beyond slice thickness, a few other factors influence the number of sandwiches produced per pound of ham:
- Ham shape – Rounded hams yield more even slices than irregular shapes.
- Bone-in or boneless – Boneless ham maximizes meat content and sandwiches.
- Brand quality – Reputable national brands offer consistently sized hams to optimize slices.
- Bread type – Mass-produced bread is smaller than artisan bakery bread.
- Condiments/toppings – Loading up sandwiches requires more deli meat.
Seeking out the right ham and bread maximize both flavor and sandwiches per pound.
Recommended Quantities for Group Sizes
To purchase the perfect poundage for an event, here is a handy ham-to-guest estimate:
- 4 people – 1/2 lb ham makes 2-3 sandwiches each
- 6 people – 3/4 lb ham makes 3-4 sandwiches each
- 8 people – 1 lb ham makes 4-5 sandwiches each
- 10 people – 1 1/4 lbs ham makes 5-6 sandwiches each
- 12 people – 1 1/2 lbs ham makes 6-7 sandwiches each
These estimates assume deli-sliced ham and average sandwich toppings. Adjust amounts based on your specific menu.
Tips for Maximizing Your Deli Ham
Follow these pro tips to make the most of your deli ham and craft sandwich nirvana:
- Choose leaner boneless hams to maximize meat content.
- Request 1/8” slices for the ideal thickness.
- Let the deli counter slice fresh instead of pre-packaged.
- Opt for smaller breads and rolls to stretch the ham further.
- Use sparingly on additional fillings and condiments.
- Freeze any extras to use later.
- Save the bone for soups and beans if using bone-in ham.
With the right strategies, you can delight your guests and have tasty ham leftovers too!
Creative Leftover Ham Ideas
Don’t stop once sandwiches are gone! Transform leftovers into these dishes:
- Breakfast – Add diced ham to omelets, burritos, bakes, hashes.
- Salads – Toss ham chunks into lettuce, grain, pasta, potato salads.
- Soups – Drop ham pieces into bean, tomato, chicken noodle soups.
- Pizza – Top as a pizza topping or mix into the dough.
- Pasta – Mix into mac and cheese, alfredo, pasta bakes.
- Snacks – Craft ham roll-ups with cream cheese and pickles.
With some innovation, you can savor every last bit of leftover ham!
Frequently Asked Ham Sandwich Questions
Still seeking details on maximizing your ham sandwich output? Here are some common FAQs:
How many total sandwiches from a pound of ham?
The average is 5-6, but skilled deli slicing can yield up to 8 or more.
What’s the ideal ham slice thickness for sandwiches?
1/8” to 3/16” provides the perfect meaty yet stackable slice.
How much ham per sandwich is recommended?
2-3 ounces per sandwich allows great ham flavor in each bite.
Should I ask for shaved slices to make more sandwiches?
Shaved ham can double counts but might be too thin for enjoyable sandwiches.
What’s the minimum number of sandwiches from a pound of ham?
Even the smallest hams with very thick slices can provide at least 4 sandwiches per pound.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or a party of one, use this handy ham sandwich guide to turn deli counters into sandwich assembly lines. You’ll be everyone’s favorite cook!
When Do You Need A Cold Cut Platter
We make cold cut platters for all types of occasions. They are a great way to feed a large number of guests in a fun way.
People can serve themselves and make their own exciting creations. In my opinion, people enjoy browsing the different varieties of meats and cheeses. There is an easy way to make a lot of people happy, even if they have different tastes.
Order a cold cut tray for an office meeting when you will be working through lunch. Get some fresh rolls and a variety of pickles and spread.
If you’re having a holiday dinner at your house you should have a big cold cut platter. They are great as an appetizer on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.
A cold cut tray will keep your guests happy until the main course is served at a Christening, graduation, or First Holy Communion. A glass of wine and some finger sandwiches is a nice way to welcome your guests.
Various Types of Cold Cut Platters
There are different types of cold cut trays to serve to your guests. It’s easy to make a traditional cold cut platter with things you can get at any deli counter. I’m talking about ham, turkey breast and roast beef. This style of cold cut tray is usually served with American cheese, Swiss cheese and Provolone cheese.
An Italian cold cut platter is also common. This style will have a variety of Italian cold cuts like mortadella, capicola, salami and prosciutto. The cheese that you will find on these platters is usually fresh mozzarella, sliced provolone and sharp provolone.
It’s also possible for the cold cut platter to be used for fancy events where sandwiches won’t be made. An example would be a cocktail party. In this case, the guests will put the sliced meats and cheeses on a small plate and carry it around with them. This type of platter will be closer to a charcuterie board. You might want to use things like sopressata, prosciutto and parmigiano reggiano.
In a situation like this the serving size will be smaller because it’s an antipasto. There is usually less lunch meat on a snack platter because there will be a bigger meal after the appetizer.