Summer is right around the corner, which means it’s almost time to fire up the grill and enjoy some delicious BBQ! If you’re planning a cookout and want to serve ham, you may be wondering just how much you need to cook for each guest Having the right amount ensures there are plenty of leftovers without being stuck eating ham sandwiches all week This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to calculate the perfect quantity of ham per person for your next BBQ.
Key Factors That Determine Ham Servings Per Person
There are a few key factors that determine appropriate ham servings per person
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Type of Ham – Bone-in ham yields fewer servings per pound compared to boneless ham Plan for 1/3 to 1/2 pound of boneless ham per person and 1/2 pound of bone-in ham per person
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Number of Side Dishes – If you’re serving lots of sides, you can get away with less ham per person. With fewer sides, serve more ham to ensure everyone gets enough.
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Leftovers/Take-Home – Adding an extra 10-20% will leave you with leftovers. Have containers on hand for easy take-home packing.
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Cooking Loss – Ham loses weight after cooking so purchase more uncooked ham than the final serving amounts.
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Guest Preferences – Consider your guests’ preferences and appetite. Adjust amounts accordingly.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can more accurately calculate how much ham to buy and cook.
Recommended Serving Amounts
As a general rule of thumb when buying uncooked ham, here are the recommended serving amounts:
- Boneless Ham – 1/4 to 1/3 pound per person
- Bone-In Ham – 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person
For cooked ham servings, plan for:
- 6 people – 2 to 3 pounds
- 12 people – 4 to 6 pounds
- 20 people – 7 to 10 pounds
These serving sizes allow for 2-3 slices per person. It’s always better to have extra than run out so don’t skimp.
##Calculating Precise Quantities
Figuring out the exact right amount takes a little math. Here are some tips:
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Weigh your uncooked ham – This gives you the total pounds you’re starting with.
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Multiply – Take the total weight and multiply it by the recommended serving size per pound (1/4 lb boneless or 1/3 lb bone-in).
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Add 10-20% – To allow for cooking loss and leftovers, increase the total yield by 10-20%.
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Compare – Compare your total yield to the number of guests and adjust as needed.
Follow this simple formula to take the guesswork out of how much ham to buy and cook!
Handling Leftovers
Leftover ham from a BBQ can make tasty meals all week long. Here are some tips:
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Let ham cool completely before refrigerating.
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Store in airtight containers and use within 3-4 days.
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Freeze ham for up to 3 months for longer storage.
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Reheat ham fully to 140°F. Bake, grill, or slow cook ham with broth to reheat.
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Get creative with leftovers! Use in omelets, sandwiches, soups, salads, and more.
Properly stored ham stays delicious for quick weekday meals.
Complementary Side Dishes
A good BBQ ham needs flavorful sides to complement it. Here are some options:
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Roasted Vegetables – Roast asparagus, Brussels sprouts, carrots, potatoes, or other veggies.
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Baked Beans – Sweet, saucy, and loaded with flavor.
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Potato Salad – Creamy potato salad is a classic BBQ side.
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Cornbread – Bake up some sweet cornbread with honey butter.
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Fruit Salad – Berry salad adds freshness and balances the meal.
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Pasta Salad – Chill a protein-packed pasta salad ahead of time.
With a combination of complementary sides, your ham will be the star of the cookout!
Grilling Tips for Perfect BBQ Ham
Grilling ham helps develop a delicious smoky flavor. Follow these tips:
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Choose bone-in ham steaks for easier grilling.
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Use indirect heat and grill over medium heat.
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Grill for 8-12 minutes per side. Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness.
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Glaze the ham steaks during the last 5 minutes of grilling.
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Let ham rest 5-10 minutes before slicing for juicy results.
Proper grilling ensures your ham is tender and full of flavor your guests will devour.
Plan the Perfect Ham-Focused BBQ
Armed with this knowledge, you can now easily determine how much ham to buy and cook for your next backyard BBQ. Stick with the recommended serving sizes as a starting point and adjust as needed to ensure you have plenty for your guests. Handling leftovers properly lets you get the most value from your ham purchase. Pair it with delicious sides and grill it to perfection for a fool-proof BBQ your friends and family will love.
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Pittsburgh Ham Barbecue
FAQ
How much ham bbq for 50 people?
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Protein
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Estimated Quantity Per Person
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Whole turkey
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1 pound
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Prime rib
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½ pound
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Ham
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½ pound
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Pulled pork or chicken
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⅓ to ½ pound
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How much chipped ham per person per pound?
How long do you cook ham on the barbecue?
How much Ham should I buy for each person?
For a normal bone-in ham, you should buy around 3/4 to 1 pound per adult and around 1/2 a pound for kids. This will ensure that there is plenty of ham for everyone, without leaving you with too much leftover. Here’s a guide to help you determine how much ham your gathering will need:
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
How much Ham should a dinner party consume?
For a dinner party preferring country ham, you’ll likely need a smaller amount due to its saltiness and intensity. We recommend 1/4 to 1/3 pound per person at most for country ham, though you can round up slightly for a bone-in ham.
How much Ham do you need for a boneless ham?
For a 12-person family, you need 5.4 lb of boneless ham. For bone-in ham, the requirement is 7.8 lb. Let’s check this theory out by preparing a feast for a 12-people family.