How Much Ham Per Person You Need When Entertaining, According to a Chef

A beautifully cooked ham is one of the most versatile and satisfying centerpiece dishes you can serve, whether for a major holiday or a casual gathering. Its rich, smoky flavor and tender texture make it a standout at festive meals and equally delightful at more relaxed occasions. You know it's a good thing, but do you know how much ham per person you need to buy? Getting the portion size right is key—too little, and guests leave hungry; too much, and your fridge is overtaken by leftovers for weeks. Our guide will walk you through the ideal serving sizes, expert recommendations, and considerations for ensuring you have just the right amount of ham, whether you’re hosting six people or a full house—and whether you want some leftovers for sandwiches or not.

How Much Ham Per Person

USDA guidelines help strike that sweet spot between "just enough" and "ham for days." Keep in mind how many sides you will be serving and if your guests have large or small appetites for ham. They recommend:

• Boneless ham: 1/4 to 1/3 pounds per serving
• Bone-in ham: 1/3 to 1/2 pounds per serving
  

We also turned to Hervé Malivert, Director of Culinary Affairs at the Institute of Culinary Education’s New York City campus, for more expert insight. Malivert agrees with the USDA guidelines but is a bit more generous: He recommends 7 ounces per person as a general rule and reminds us that the type of ham matters.

• Boneless ham: Easier to carve, and since they do not carry the extra weight of a bone, you can go with a slightly lighter weight when purchasing.
• Bone-in ham: If you're selecting a bone-in ham (known for yielding the most tender, moist meat), you'll want to consider that bones take up space (about 15 to 20% of the total weight). So, you should buy a little extra to account for the weight of the bone.

Number of Guests	Size of Bone-in Ham to Buy	Size of Boneless Ham to Buy
6	2-3 pounds	1 1/2-2 1/2 pounds
8	2 3/4-4 pounds	2-2 3/4 pounds
12	4-6 pounds	3-4 pounds
16	5 1/4-8 pounds	4-5 1/4 pounds

Planning for Leftovers

Ham leftovers are a gift. If you want extra for sandwiches, omelets, or sneaky midnight snacks, tack on an extra pound or two to the total weight of the ham you purchase.

If you are going to make sandwiches, estimate 1 to 2 slices per person, depending on how much of a ham fan they are.