Whenever you plan to serve a big pork dish like a ham for Easter or Christmas dinner, you are faced with a lot of questions. Where should I buy the ham? What kind of ham should I buy? Should it be bone-in or boneless? How much ham should I give each person? It’s likely that your holiday meal has been a little smaller lately, but small get-togethers with family and friends are beginning to return to normal. These questions are just as important when you’re cooking for three people as they were when you were cooking for twenty. It can be stressful to have a lot of family and friends over, and the costs of food, wine, and decorations can add up quickly. We don’t want you to spend more than you have to, so let’s figure out how many pounds of ground or boned ham each guest will need. From Our Shop.
Spiral ham is a holiday favorite, gracing tables for celebrations like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Its salty-sweet flavor and beautiful presentation make it a perfect centerpiece. But when it comes to figuring out how much to buy, the serving size per pound can be confusing This handy guide breaks down everything you need to know about spiral ham servings.
How Much Spiral Ham Per Person?
As a general rule of thumb plan on approximately
- 1⁄2 pound of boneless spiral ham per person
- 3⁄4 pound of bone-in spiral ham per person
However, appetites vary so these serving guidelines may need adjusting. If you want plenty of leftovers for sandwiches, omelets, soups etc., bump up the amounts.
To estimate servings for a crowd, use these recommendations:
- For 6 people: 2-3 pounds boneless or 3-4 pounds bone-in
- For 12 people: 4-6 pounds boneless or 6-9 pounds bone-in
- For 20 people: 6.75-10 pounds boneless or 10-15 pounds bone-in
Portion sizes also depend on what else is being served, so adjust amounts as needed. And don’t forget to account for the weight of the bone if cooking a bone-in ham.
Serving Size Factors
There are a few factors that can affect spiral ham serving sizes:
Boneless vs. Bone-In
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Boneless hams allow more edible meat per pound.
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Bone-in hams require more poundage per person since the bone is also weighed.
Appetites
- Serving sizes may need adjusting for extra hearty or light eaters.
Leftovers
- Buying additional ham allows for sandwiches, soups, etc. later.
Other Dishes
- Serving more side dishes like mashed potatoes may reduce ham servings needed.
Calculating Servings for Whole Spiral Hams
Here are some tips on calculating servings for a whole spiral ham:
Boneless
- A 5 lb boneless ham serves 10-15 people
- A 7 lb boneless ham serves 14-20 people
- A 10 lb boneless ham serves 20-30 people
Bone-in
- A 7 lb bone-in ham serves 10-12 people
- A 10 lb bone-in ham serves 15-20 people
- A 15 lb bone-in ham serves 20-30 people
Serving Size Formula
Use this simple formula to determine servings:
- Weigh ham and note boneless or bone-in
- deduct approximate bone weight if applicable (around 2 lbs for a 10 lb ham)
- Divide remaining weight by recommended serving size per person (1/2 lb boneless or 3/4 lb bone-in)
This will give you an estimated headcount for servings. Adjust as needed depending on appetites and leftovers.
Carving Tips for Optimal Servings
Proper carving techniques help get perfect servings from your spiral ham:
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Let ham rest 10-15 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
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Use a long, thin, sharp knife to get the thinnest slices possible.
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Cut perpendicular to the bone along the spiral pattern.
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Cut diagonally across the grain for most tender slices.
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For bone-in hams, carefully cut the meat away from the bone.
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Place any uneven or end pieces on a separate platter to allow easy access to uniform slices.
Cutting thin, even slices makes servings look bountiful and allows the ham to serve more people.
Making the Most of Leftovers
Spiral ham leftovers make tasty meals all week long. Here are some delicious ways to use them:
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Breakfast – omelets, sandwiches, casseroles, with eggs
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Lunch – salads, sandwiches, wraps
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Dinner – pasta, soups, fried rice, pizza
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Snacks – ham roll ups, deviled eggs, quesadillas
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Baked goods – ham and cheese pockets, ham muffins
Get creative! Leftover ham can be used in endless recipes. Just be sure to safely store ham within 3-4 days and reheat fully when using.
Tips for Buying the Perfect Spiral Ham
Follow these tips for picking the perfect spiral ham for your holiday table:
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Allow 3⁄4 to 1 lb per person for bone-in or 1⁄2 lb per person for boneless.
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Choose a reputable brand like Smithfield for high-quality.
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Select a size based on your guest count and appetite. Go larger if you want leftovers.
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Opt for spiral sliced to make serving easier.
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Get a pre-cooked and glazed ham to save prep time.
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Look for a ham with an included sauce or glaze packet.
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For smaller groups, choose a half or quarter cut ham.
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Inspect the ham’s appearance. It should be plump and pink with some marbling.
Get ready to wow guests with a picture-perfect spiral ham using this handy serving guide. With the right calculations and a quality ham, you’re sure to have happy holiday dining!
How much ham per person?
If you want a bone-in ham (which is heavier), plan on about half a pound per person. If you want a boneless ham, plan on about a third of a pound per person. At the end of the day, some people will eat less than planned and some will eat more than planned. It will even out. Take it easy if you’re making a lot of side dishes. For example, if you texted your roommates, “ham party at 3 p.m.,” don’t make too many. m. on Sunday,” consider buying more. And add an extra pound or two if you know you’ll want leftovers for ham sandwiches, breakfast omelets and quiches, or small ham croquettes.
For an even easier shopping trip, write down these amounts for both a bone-in and a boneless ham:
Bone-In Ham
- 4 people: 2-3 pound bone-in ham
- 6 people: 3-4 pound bone-in ham
- 8 people: 4-5 pound bone-in ham
- 10 people: 5-6 pound bone-in ham
- 12 people: 6-7 pound bone-in ham
Boneless Ham
- 4 people: 1.5-2 pound boneless ham
- 6 people: 2-3 pound boneless ham
- 8 people: 2.75-3.5 pound boneless ham
- 10 people: 3-4 pound boneless ham
- 12 people: 4-5 pound boneless ham
You should go to the store once you know how many people you want to serve and how much ham you want. You can choose a fresh ham, which has pale pink flesh, a cured ham, which has pinker flesh and may be ready to eat or need some cooking (they’ll be marked), or a smoked and cured ham, which is the same as a cured ham but has a smokey flavor added to it. You can buy hams whole, cut in half, or spiral-cut, which means they are already sliced. You can also get hams with or without bones. Smoked ham with bones tends to have the most flavor. You can also make your own brown sugar and bourbon or apricot glaze to go with the ham.
to cook or not to cook
Some cured hams, like the very thin slices of Italian prosciutto you’d put on a sandwich, can be eaten as soon as they come out of the package. Same goes for some of the big guys, too. D’Artagnan, a meat company, makes a smoked, bone-in ham half that is fully cooked and “can be served cold, at room temperature, or heated, with or without glaze.” “But I still think you should wrap the ham in foil and cook it in the oven at 300°F until a thermometer reads 140°F. Yes, pre-cooked hams are easier for people who aren’t very good at cooking or who are busy, but you can’t choose how sweet or salty they will taste. For two winning recipes, read on.
How long does it take to cook an 8 lb spiral ham?
FAQ
How many people will a 10 lb spiral ham feed?
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Number of People
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Amount of Bone-in Ham
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8 – 10
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6 – 7 1/2 lbs
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10 – 12
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7 1/2 – 9 lbs
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15 – 20
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9 – 15 lbs
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25 – 30
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19 – 22 1/2 lbs
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How big of a spiral ham for 6 adults?
How many servings per pound for spiral bone-in ham?
How many servings is a 3 pound ham?
How much spiral ham should be provided per person?
For a boneless spiral ham, approximately 1/2 pound per person is the general rule of thumb. For a bone-in ham, plan for about 3/4 pound per person.
How much Ham should be served per person?
To determine the amount of boneless spiral ham to serve per person, plan for at least 1/2 pound. For bone-in spiral ham, plan for 3/4 pound per person. Keep in mind that these are just guidelines and can vary depending on your guests’ appetites and the amount of other dishes you’ll be serving.
How much boneless ham is required for 10 people?
For 10 people, plan for 4-6 pounds of boneless ham or 9-12 pounds of bone-in ham. Keep in mind that these are just estimates and can vary based on your guests’ appetites and the amount of other dishes you’ll be serving.
How do I calculate Ham size?
To calculate Ham size, specify the amount of ham you’d like to allocate per person in pounds (lbs/person). Click the “Calculate” button. The calculator uses this information to calculate the required Ham Size in pounds: Ham Size (lbs) = Number of People × Ham per Person (lbs/person).