When hosting a backyard barbecue or other gathering where you’ll be serving ham, one of the most important questions is “How much ham do I need to buy per person?” Having the right amount of ham ensures there is enough to go around without too many leftovers. Calculating the proper ham quantity per guest requires considering a few key factors like the type of ham, other foods being served, and your guests’ appetites. With some simple math and planning, you can determine the ideal ham portion size and quantity to purchase for your event.
Factors That Determine Ham Quantity Per Person
Several variables should be taken into account when deciding how much ham barbecue to have on hand for each guest:
Type of Ham
There are various cuts and styles of ham that require different serving sizes. A boneless ham is more compact than a bone-in variety, so you need less per person. Smoked or cured ham tends to be saltier and served in smaller portions versus fresh ham. Here are typical serving sizes for different types of ham:
– Boneless ham: 4-6 oz per person
– Bone-in ham: 6-8 oz per person
– Smoked/cured ham: 3-5 oz per person
– Fresh ham: 5-8 oz per person
Other Foods Being Served
Consider what sides and other meats will be served alongside the ham. If you’ll have lots of fish, chicken, steak, sausages, ribs, etc. then you may need less ham per individual. Having several hearty salads and side dishes also reduces how much ham you require per guest. But if ham is the main feature or only meat option, then plan for larger portions per attendee.
Appetites of Guests
Think about your specific guests’ appetites and whether they are typically light or heavy eaters. For example, teen boys and men ages 20-30 may consume substantially more ham than women over 50. Kids under 10 often eat smaller portions too. When in doubt, it’s better to have extra ham than not enough. But for guests with smaller appetites, plan ham amounts on the lower end of the serving size range.
Recommended Serving Sizes
Based on typical appetites, here are recommended ham serving sizes for different demographics:
| Guest Age/Type | Serving Size |
|---|---|
| Teen boys | 8-12 oz |
| Men ages 20-30 | 10-12 oz |
| Women ages 20-50 | 6-10 oz |
| Kids ages 10-12 | 4-6 oz |
| Kids under 10 | 2-4 oz |
| Elderly women | 4-6 oz |
These serving sizes apply to boneless ham. For bone-in ham, add approximately 2 more ounces per person. For smoked ham, deduct 2 ounces per serving compared to fresh ham.
Calculating Quantity to Buy
Figuring out the total quantity of ham to purchase involves some simple math:
1. Estimate the number of people in each age/gender demographic attending
2. Multiply by the recommended serving size for each demographic
3. Add up the amounts for all demographics
4. Buy a ham weighing approximately the total ounces calculated
As an example, for a backyard party with:
– 5 teen boys
– 10 men ages 20-30
– 15 women ages 20-50
– 5 kids ages 10-12
– 10 kids under 10
You would calculate:
– 5 teen boys x 10oz each = 50oz
– 10 men x 12oz each = 120oz
– 15 women x 8oz each = 120oz
– 5 kids x 5oz each = 25oz
– 10 kids x 3oz each = 30oz
Total = 345oz or around 22lbs of boneless ham to serve the group
It’s always wise to buy a little extra ham in case more guests show up than expected. Overall though, determining ham quantities based on your specific attendees will help prevent buying too much while still ensuring everyone gets their fill.
Portioning Recommendations
Once you’ve calculated how much ham is required and purchased accordingly, you’ll need to determine how to portion it out for your barbecue or gathering. Here are some tips:
Cutting the Ham
– For bone-in ham, remove the bones first then slice the meat. This gives you more usable meat per pound.
– For boneless ham, simply slice into portions. Aim for between 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick slices.
– Cut across the grain of the meat for tender slices that don’t dry out when cooked.
– If injecting glaze or marinade, do this before slicing to distribute evenly.
Serving Styles
– Set out a ham platter with pre-sliced portions and let guests serve themselves. Allow for 8-12 oz per person.
– For a build-your-own sandwich bar, have guests place sliced ham on rolls or bread. Figure 3-5 slices per sandwich.
– Offer ham slices as a topping for salads or baked potatoes so guests can customize portion sizes.
– Dice or shred ham for fillings in sandwiches, wraps, omelets, etc. Use about 1/4 cup diced ham per serving.
– For appetizers, cube ham and skewer onto toothpicks. Allow 2-3 cubes per person.
Leftovers
– Carve any leftover ham off the bone once initially portioned out for easier storage.
– Keep leftovers refrigerated for 3-5 days or freeze for 1-2 months.
– Use extras for sandwiches, salads, soups, omelets, or casseroles in the following week.
Serving Suggestions
Beyond portion size, also consider these serving suggestions for optimal ham enjoyment:
– Offer a carving station for custom slicing if ham is bone-in.
– Provide a variety of mustards, chutneys, and sauces for spreading on ham.
– Have rolls, biscuits, or corn bread available to make sandwiches.
– Offer pickles, olives, peppers and other tangy sides to complement ham’s saltiness.
– Keep ham chilled on ice for buffet-style dining or warm in a slow cooker for hot ham sandwiches.
– If reheating ham after initial cooking, bake or grill slices versus microwaving to prevent drying out.
– Let guests build their own mini ham and cheese sliders on dinner rolls for a fun, hand-held option.
Ham Cooking Times
To ensure you have perfectly cooked ham ready on time for guests, follow these approximate cooking times:
| Ham Type | Cooking Time |
|---|---|
| Boneless (3-6 lbs) | 45 min – 1.5 hours |
| Bone-in (6-14 lbs) | 18-22 min per lb |
| Spiral cut | 10-18 min per lb |
| Canned (precooked) | 6-8 hours in slow cooker |
Use a meat thermometer to confirm ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F when finished. Allow bone-in hams to rest for 15-30 minutes before carving. Warm canned ham slowly to keep it moist.
Food Safety
Be sure to follow proper food safety guidelines when prepping and serving ham:
– Wash hands thoroughly before handling raw ham
– Prevent cross-contamination by keeping ham away from ready-to-eat foods
– Cook to safe internal temperature (140°F)
– Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
– Store ham at 40°F or below
This avoids the spread of foodborne illness. Plus keep hot cooked ham at 140°F or warmer until serving.
Conclusion
Determining how much ham per person for your barbecue or event is an important planning step. Take into account the ham type, other menu items, appetites of guests, and recommended serving sizes based on age and gender. Purchase a slightly greater amount than your total calculation to be safe. Portion ham accordingly before or at the gathering for easy serving. Follow proper food safety protocols when storing, prepping and serving. Using these guidelines allows you to provide the perfect ham quantity for a tasty gathering that pleases all your attendees.