Which would you grab first: turkey or ham? There are so many things to think about, like what the occasion is, what’s cheaper, and what your guests want.
During the holiday season, both turkey and ham are great options this time of year. Personal taste is the only thing that really matters, but I’ll explain what I think is better on the plate and why. I will also talk about ways to save money and time, as well as what to do with leftovers.
For many families, turkey is a Thanksgiving tradition The roasted bird adorns magazine covers and Norman Rockwell paintings as the quintessential holiday centerpiece. However, while turkey may seem synonymous with Thanksgiving, ham actually offers some clear advantages as the main dish. Here are several reasons why ham makes for a better Thanksgiving meal than turkey
Ham is Easier to Cook Perfectly
Roasting a turkey can be notoriously tricky. Keeping the white meat from drying out while the dark meat cooks through poses a real challenge. The bird requires frequent basting and temperature monitoring to get it just right. Even experienced cooks struggle with turkeys. Ham, on the other hand, is far more foolproof. A cured ham just needs to be warmed gently while a fresh ham roasts up juicy and tender with little effort. With ham, you skip the high-maintenance cooking and carving hassles.
More Juiciness Guaranteed
Turkey breast meat is very lean, so it dries out easily without ample basting. Even with frequent basting, it can turn out stringy and chewy. Ham contains more internal fat which keeps it moist during cooking. A cured ham is brined during processing, which makes it extra juicy. The brine solution gives the meat a glistening, soft texture you just can’t achieve with turkey.
Lower Cost Per Serving
Hams offer more economical serving costs compared to turkeys of the same weight. Whole turkeys only yield about 70% edible meat, with the rest being bones and cartilage. Hams produce less waste and provide more servings per pound. For frugal Thanksgiving hosts, ham gives you better value for your holiday food budget.
Easier Prep and Storage
A frozen turkey requires up to a week of thawing in the refrigerator before it’s ready to roast. Fresh hams on the other hand, can go straight into the oven frozen. Cured hams just need to be warmed or gently heated. The reduced prep time makes ham the better choice when your holiday schedule is packed. Additionally, cooked leftover ham keeps longer in the fridge than turkey.
Fantastic Flavor Variety
Beyond the classic glazed or honey-baked hams, there are many flavorful varieties like brown sugar-cured, maple-glazed, or spice-rubbed. Turkey is usually roasted plain, but ham can take on diverse flavors to complement all your Thanksgiving sides. It provides more versatility in balancing taste profiles.
Great For Smaller Gatherings
A ham can be purchased in a smaller half size to serve just a few guests. Turkeys only come in whole birds sized to feed a crowd. For intimate gatherings, a petite split ham is a more suitable centerpiece. You can still enjoy your favorite Thanksgiving dishes without the leftovers.
All the Flavor, None of the Work
A pre-cooked spiral cut ham just needs gentle reheating and comes infused with smoky, sweet flavor. With turkey, the work is only beginning after you get home from the store. But ham provides full holiday flavor with zero effort required.
Satisfies More Palates
Turkey has milder flavor that suits most diners. But some find it bland or stringy. Ham’s richness and supple texture gives it broader appeal, especially with kids, seniors, or picky eaters. When cooking for a diverse crowd, ham satisfies more palates.
The Ultimate Leftover Meat
Leftover turkey is great for sandwiches, but dry turkey needs lots of mayo or gravy. Ham makes heavenly sandwiches, omelets, soups, and casseroles after your feast. It retains moisture for superior leftovers you can really savor all week long.
While turkey is undeniably traditional, ham has compelling advantages that may make it a better choice for your Thanksgiving table. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference. But if the idea of a showstopping glazed holiday ham has your mouth watering, it may be time to start a new tradition this Thanksgiving. Whichever main dish you serve, embrace the joy of gathering with loved ones.
ham: 31
turkey: 19
Thanksgiving: 9
flavor: 5
cook: 4
leftover: 3
juicy: 3
meal: 3
How much turkey per person?
When cooking an entire turkey, plan for about 1 ½ pounds per person. For example, if you are feeding 5 people, purchase a turkey that is about 7 pounds.
If you use a boneless breast, you don’t have to worry about how much it weighs because the bones are already taken care of. With all the other food on the table, you might have some left over, which isn’t always a bad thing.
How much ham per person?
First of all there are a few different types of ham. The main thing to consider is bone in vs boneless. When cooking a bone-in ham, plan for 1/3-1/2 pounds per person. If you are using a boneless ham, plan for 1/4-1/3 pound per serving. I like to plan for a little extra because I use ham in other side dishes, like green beans.
Overall, turkey is recommended over ham for nutrition. However, this is based on sodium content. Ham is very high in sodium, but it is rich in zinc, potassium, and iron.
Ham has been used for generations to add salt and flavor to other dishes. So, be very careful about adding more salt to ham or foods that you’ve already added ham to.
Also some people don’t eat pork while generally most people will eat turkey.
Turkey meat is also richer in protein, phosphorus, copper, and vitamins. But if you want to make a real Thanksgiving turkey, you will probably add a lot of butter and salt before cooking it and gravy on top when it’s done. So, “healthy” is probably a stretch for the Thanksgiving turkey too.
If you are buying a Thanksgiving turkey, you can expect to pay between $1-$3 per pound. Fresh turkeys will cost a little more per pound, but they are lighter so the cost evens out. They are also superior in taste as fresh usually tastes better than frozen.
If you are buying a Thanksgiving ham, you can expect to pay between $5-$7 per pound. There are many different variations and cuts of ham also.
Don’t be afraid to ask someone coming over to take care of one of these proteins for you. Ham is usually a better choice for someone to pick up because it can be cooked and cut ahead of time (like spiral cut hams), making it easier to bring and saving you money.
The other good news is that grocery stores know that turkey and ham are big ticket items. They run specials to keep Thanksgiving more affordable, so keep an eye out for that.
Everyone is going to try the Thanksgiving turkey, and everyone is going to remember it. So it better be good!.
There are many steps that go into making a tasty whole turkey, like brining it overnight, seasoning it, stuffing it, and basting it as it cooks. Don’t rush; it takes a lot of time but is the main dish at most Thanksgiving meals, so do it right.
Ham vs Turkey: A Thanksgiving Showdown!
FAQ
Why should you eat ham instead of turkey on Thanksgiving?
Why is ham healthier than turkey?
Do most people prefer ham or turkey?
What food is better than turkey for Thanksgiving?
Is a Thanksgiving turkey healthier than a ham?
Regardless of how it is prepared, turkey remains the healthier meat compared to ham.
Is turkey meat better than Ham?
Overall, turkey meat is a better alternative than ham. This article examines the differences between turkey meat and ham regarding general aspects, nutritional profile, and health impact. Turkey meat is the world’s second most popular poultry meat, and it is a cost-effective source of high-quality protein for human use.
Is Ham a suitable Thanksgiving meal?
Ham is a popular and flavorful choice for a Thanksgiving meal. It is filling and perfect to add protein to your meal. Plus, it can be cooked ahead of time and reheated when needed, making it a convenient option among the traditional thanksgiving foods.
Can you eat leftover ham on Thanksgiving?
Tell your incompetent cousin to bring it! But ham’s true contribution kicks in on Thanksgiving Weekend, when the pajamas are donned and the sandwiches are assembled. With leftover ham in the mix, any old turkey sandwich can become a deluxe deli combo, and who wouldn’t want that?
How many people eat turkey & ham each Thanksgiving?
Americans consume around 46 million turkeys and 24.75 million pounds of bone-in ham each Thanksgiving, according to an article published by The Washington Post. Tradition may favor the turkey, but both 46 million people and ham remain in demand.
Should you eat a smoked turkey ham sandwich?
When ham is an option, all of a sudden there’s Dijon on my sandwich in addition to the usual mayo, and if the turkey’s a little dry, the nice juicy ham helps fix that. Ham: so much to be thankful for. A small, smoked Thanksgiving Ham makes all the difference when the leftovers sandwiches are assembled.