Are you planning a holiday ham dinner and don’t know how much ham you’ll need for your guests? This handy calculator will help you figure it out. People: Type of Ham: Boneless Bone-in.
Planning a large event and need to figure out how much ham to buy? Feeding a crowd can be tricky, but having the right amount of ham is key. Follow this guide to learn everything you need to know about buying ham for 100 people, including how much to get, what type to choose, how to prepare it, and more.
How Much Ham Per Person?
The first step is calculating how much ham you need total The general rule of thumb is
- 1/2 pound of bone-in ham per person
- 1/3 pound of boneless ham per person
Since you are feeding 100 people for bone-in ham that would be 50 pounds total (100 people x 1/2 pound each). For boneless, it would be around 33 pounds (100 people x 1/3 pound each).
I recommend getting bone-in ham if your budget allows, as it provides a classic ham flavor and appearance The bone also helps the meat stay moist during cooking However, boneless ham tends to be less expensive per pound.
Pick the Right Ham Size
When buying a whole bone-in ham, you want one that is 10-14 pounds on average. This provides enough meat without lots of leftovers. Popular sizes include:
- 10-12 pound (feeds 16-24)
- 12-14 pound (feeds 24-28)
- 14-16 pound (feeds 28-32)
For boneless ham, a 5-8 pound size is typical for feeding groups. Good options include:
- 5-7 pounds (feeds 15-21)
- 7-8 pounds (feeds 21-24)
To have enough for 100 people, you will need 4-5 bone-in hams or 4 boneless hams. Having multiple smaller hams makes them easier to cook and carve.
Choose Spiral Sliced Ham
I highly recommend getting spiral sliced ham, where the ham is pre-sliced in a continuous spiral. This makes serving a breeze – just pull out the slices as needed. It also exposes more surface area for glazing and cooking.
Spiral hams are sold fully cooked, so they just need to be heated. You can find them easily at major grocery stores or wholesale clubs.
Allow Time for Thawing
If the ham is frozen, make sure to allot time for thawing before cooking. For a 10-14 pound ham, allow 3-4 days in the refrigerator. You can speed it up by submerging in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes.
Thaw ham in the packaging to prevent bacteria. Cook within 1-2 days of thawing.
Heat Fully and Safely
Ham is already fully cooked, so heating is just to warm it up. Heat to an internal temperature of 140°F as measured by a food thermometer.
If baking a bone-in ham, cover it while cooking and remove the last 15 minutes for browning. Allow 15-20 minutes per pound at 325°F.
For boneless, cover while heating and cook 10-15 minutes per pound at 325°F.
Reheating a spiral cut ham takes less time, usually 10-12 minutes per pound. Always use a thermometer for doneness, not just time.
Keep Food Safety in Mind
When handling large quantities of ham, food safety is crucial:
- Wash hands and surfaces often
- Don’t let ham sit out for over 2 hours
- Keep hot ham hot (above 140°F) and cold ham cold (below 40°F)
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
This prevents the spread of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
Pick the Right Carving Method
I recommend carving the ham prior to the event, rather than doing it on the spot. It’s easier and you can keep the slices chilled in the fridge until needed.
Here are some tips for smooth ham carving:
- Use a long, thin knife for easier slicing
- Cut across the grain of the meat
- For bone-in, cut next to the bone first to release slices
- Cut slices about 1/4 inch thick
- Keep slices together as you cut for a neater presentation
Calculate Other Food Needs
In addition to ham, you’ll need side dishes and appetizers to feed a crowd. Some recommendations:
Sides
- Green bean casserole – 1 lb per 3 people
- Scalloped potatoes – 1 lb per 3 people
- Dinner rolls – 3 per person
- Fruit salad – 1 cup per person
Appetizers
- Cheese and crackers – 3 oz cheese per person
- Crudités – 1 cup per person
- Dips/spreads – 1/4 cup per person
Having a variety keeps guests happy and well-fed. Adjust amounts based on the menu and appetite of your group.
Plan for Leftovers
Even with perfect calculations, you’ll likely have leftover ham after an event. Ham keeps for 3-4 days refrigerated, or 2-3 months frozen.
Get creative with the extras! Leftover ham is great in omelets, sandwiches, soups, casseroles, pasta dishes, and more. Slice and freeze portions to pull out later for easy meals.
Order Early From Your Deli or Butcher
Make sure to place ham orders 1-2 weeks early with your local deli or butcher. This gives them time to have the right size ready for you. Providing an accurate headcount helps them pick the perfect quantity.
For a major event like feeding 100 people, you want the process to go smoothly. Advance ordering helps ensure you get the ideal ham for the big day.
Enjoy Your Event!
With the right planning and preparation, serving a delicious ham dinner for 100 is totally achievable. From selecting a ham size to carving and leftovers, use this guide to handle the details.
Most importantly, don’t forget to relax and savor the event with your guests! Proper ham helpings make for happy occasions.
Cite As:Sexton, J. (n.d.).
Getting every last cranberry in the holiday meal planned out can be hard, but these simple rules will make it easy to figure out how much ham to make for any size group.
First, think about how many people will be coming, what kind of ham you want to serve, and how many leftovers (you will want leftovers!) you want.
Whichever size ham you choose, be sure to allow enough cooking time. Cook a smoked ham in the oven at 325 °F (160 °C) until the internal temperature reaches 145 °F (63 °C). Let it rest for 3 minutes, or 140 °F (60 °C), and then bake it again. [1].
How Much Boneless Ham Do You Need?
The folks at the Honeybaked Ham Company have been experts in all things ham since 1957, and they recommend 1/2 pound of ham per person. However, take into account those larger appetites and again…leftovers! What’s a holiday without a midnight ham sammy?[2]
The chart below will help you figure out how much ham to buy based on how many people are coming.
| Number of People | Amount of Boneless Ham |
|---|---|
| 4 – 6 | 2 – 3 lbs |
| 6 – 8 | 3 – 4 lbs |
| 8 – 10 | 4 – 5 lbs |
| 10 – 12 | 5 – 6 lbs |
| 15 – 20 | 8 – 10 lbs |
| 25 – 30 | 13 – 15 lbs |
How much Honey Baked Ham is needed per person?
FAQ
How many hams to feed 100 people?
How many people will a 10 lb spiral ham feed?
How much ham to feed 50 people?
How much ham and turkey for 100 guests?
How much Ham do you eat per person?
Figure each person will eat about 1/4 to 1/3 pounds of ham. 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
How much Ham do you need for Easter dinner?
Figure you’ll need about 1/3 to 1/2 pounds of meat per person. Based on everyone consuming 1/2 a pound, here’s how much bone-in ham you’ll need per person for Easter dinner: 4 people – 2 pounds 6 people – 3 pounds 12 people – 6 pounds 20 people – 8 pounds
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 Ham do you need for a boneless ham?
For the boneless ham: For the bone-in ham: Let’s check this theory out by preparing a feast for a 12-people family. So we need 5.4 lb of a boneless ham, or: we should buy 7.8 lb of the bone-in ham.