How Many Slices of Ham in a Pound?

Ham is a delicious and versatile meat that is commonly enjoyed in sandwiches, appetizers, main dishes and more. But when you’re buying sliced ham from the deli counter or grocery store, how do you know how much to get? Specifically, how many slices of ham come in a 1 pound package?

The number of slices in a pound of ham can vary quite a bit depending on the thickness of the slices and the size of the ham. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understand ham slice counts so you can buy and portion ham accurately.

Typical Sliced Ham Weights

To estimate how many slices come in a pound, it’s helpful to first understand the typical size and weight of a single sliced ham portion

• Deli ham for sandwiches is usually sliced 1/8 inch thick. This produces the thin, flat slices ideal for stacking on sandwiches.

• A 1/8 inch thick ham slice weighs approximately 1 ounce (28 grams).

• Standard ham steak or chop cut for dinner is about 1/2 inch thick. A 1/2 inch ham slice weighs 3-4 ounces (85-113 grams).

• Spiral sliced ham rounds are usually about 1/4 inch thick per slice. These weigh around 1.5-2 ounces (42-57 grams) each.

• Country ham slices can be cut thicker, from 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Thicker country ham weighs more per slice.

So thinner deli slices weigh less than thicker ham steak or spiral cut slices. This affects how many slices come in a pound.

Slices Per Pound of Deli Ham

For thin sliced deli ham, you can expect 14 to 20 slices per pound. This accounts for slight variations in slice thickness between different brands and deli counters.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• Ham sliced 1/8 inch thick = About 14 slices per pound

• Ham sliced 1/10 inch thick = About 16 slices per pound

• Ham sliced 1/12 inch thick = About 18 slices per pound

• Ham sliced extra thin = Up to 20 slices per pound

So if you buy a 1 pound package of deli ham for sandwiches, you’ll get approximately 14 to 20 thin slices depending on thickness. This deli ham is convenient for stacking on sandwiches or rolling in wraps.

Slices Per Pound of Ham Steak

For ham steak or ham chop cuts that are 1/2 inch thick, you’ll get 3 to 4 slices per pound.

These ham steaks or chops are meant for grilling or pan frying whole. The thick 1/2 inch slices hold up well to searing for dinner.

If you cut a ham steak in half, you’d get 6 to 8 thinner slices per pound. But ham steaks are usually cooked whole rather than sliced up.

Slices Per Pound of Spiral Ham

Spiral sliced ham, used for holiday dinners and special occasion meals, averages about 8 to 12 slices per pound.

These hams are spiral sliced 1/4 inch thick to make portioning and serving easier. The slightly thicker slices compared to deli ham mean less fit in a pound.

A whole spiral cut ham usually weighs between 5 to 15 pounds. So a 10 pound spiral ham would yield 80 to 120 total slices.

The end or shank pieces may be thicker or thinner. Portion accordingly – weigh slices if needed versus counting.

Slices Per Pound of Country Ham

Traditional dry cured country hams are cut into thicker slices, usually 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.

Country ham slices weigh more than deli or spiral ham. You’ll get approximately:

• 5 to 6 slices per pound of 1/4 inch thick country ham

• 3 to 4 slices per pound of 1/2 inch thick country ham

The compact, dense texture of dry cured country ham means thicker, heavier slices with less per pound compared to wet cured ham.

Estimating Slices Needed

To estimate how much deli ham to buy, here is a simple guideline:

• Sandwiches: 3-4 slices per sandwich
• Appetizers: 2-3 slices per person
• Meals: 4-6 slices per person

For sandwich slices, divide the number of sandwiches by 3 or 4 to calculate pounds needed for even sandwich stacks.

For meals, figure 2 to 3 ounces or 4 to 6 thin slices per person. Buy accordingly for the number of people.

Weighing slices on a food scale is most accurate, but this guide provides a good starting point for purchasing ham by the pound.

Factors Affecting Slice Counts

There are a few factors that can affect the number of slices per pound and cause variability:

• Slice thickness – Thinner slices mean more per pound. Request your ideal thickness.

• Ham shape – Rounder hams yield more even slices. Oblong hams vary more in slices per pound.

• Preparation – The way the ham is cooked and cured impacts density and slicing.

• Delicatessen skill – Experience slicing meat affects consistency.

• Brand – Each brand and product has unique size, shape and density.

For these reasons, the slice estimates per pound are ranges rather than absolutes. Weighing slices ultimately gives the most control for portioning.

Weight Conversions

Here are some additional ham weight conversions based on slice counts:

• 7 slices = 1/4 pound
• 14 slices = 1/2 pound
• 21 slices = 3/4 pound
• 28 slices = 1 pound

You can also divide total pounds needed by 16 slices per pound for thinner deli ham. This gives a starting point for purchasing amounts.

Nutrition Facts

Here are the nutrition facts for a typical 1 slice serving (28g) of sliced ham:

• Calories: 40
• Fat: 1.5g
• Sodium: 410mg
• Protein: 5g
• Carbs: 1g

Ham is a leaner deli meat but still high in sodium. Check labels for reduced sodium options if this is a concern.

Buying and Serving Ham

Here are some final tips for purchasing and serving sliced ham:

• Choose ham with marbling for flavor and moisture. Avoid large dry patches.

• For sandwiches, select thin slices around 1/8 inch thick.

• For meals, look for thicker steak or chop cuts, around 1/2 inch thick.

• Store opened ham for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Keep frozen for 2-3 months.

• Rinse cured ham before eating to reduce excess saltiness.

• Add ham to omelets, pasta, pizza, salads, baked potatoes, and more for extra protein.

• Bake or grill thicker ham steaks or chops until 140°F internal temperature.

So now you know approximately how many slices come in a pound of ham based on thickness. Use this handy guide to select deli ham, ham steaks, or spiral ham for your recipes and meal needs!