There is something about a cold cut platter that makes me happy. A good deli platter is like a work of art if you ask me. Piles of meat, cheese and garnishes arranged on a big tray is a beautiful thing.
I remember as a child going straight to the cold cut tray when I walked into a family party or holiday get-together. I loved staring at it and deciding my plan of attack. I wonder how many pounds of roast beef sandwiches I’ve eaten over the years.
What kind of sandwich would I make first? Would I use mayonnaise or mustard? Maybe both?
I’m still really into cold cut platters today. I love making them for our catering customers at Mortadella Head. They need to have the right combination of meat, cheese, vegetables and spreads. They also need to be made with a lot of care so they look good.
A proper cold cut platter should be the centerpiece of the buffet table at every party.
Planning to make sandwiches for a crowd? It can be tricky to figure out exactly how much sliced deli ham you need when you’re preparing 50 sandwiches or more Follow this guide for a breakdown of how to calculate your ham quantities
Standard Serving Size Per Sandwich
The typical serving size of sliced deli ham per sandwich is 2-3 ounces. This accounts for 1-2 slices on average, depending on the thickness
For 50 sandwiches, at 3 ounces of ham each, you would need:
50 sandwiches x 3 oz ham per sandwich = 150 oz of ham
There are 16 ounces in one pound, so for 50 sandwiches:
150 oz ham / 16 oz per pound = 9.375 pounds or ~10 pounds of ham
Always round up to buy extra since ham is inexpensive and sandwich orders often increase.
Factoring In Ham Sizes and Appetites
Sandwich sizes and personal preferences can alter ham amounts.
For smaller sandwiches like tea sandwiches, 1-2 oz ham per sandwich may suffice. For heartier appetites, use 4 oz per sandwich.
To estimate for junior/senior high school teens or athletic groups, allow 4-5 oz ham per sandwich to ensure satisfaction.
For 50 hearty 4 oz sandwiches:
50 sandwiches x 4 oz ham per sandwich = 200 oz
200 oz / 16 oz per pound = 12.5 pounds or ~13 pounds of ham
Deli Ham Buying Tips
-
Choose popular brands like Boar’s Head, Dietz & Watson or private deli brands. Opt for natural uncured ham if possible.
-
Order ham freshly sliced rather than pre-packaged for best flavor.
-
For large orders, ask the deli clerk in advance if they have enough ham supply on hand.
-
Specify your desired slice thickness and number of slices per sandwich.
-
Request ham be sliced just before pickup to maximize freshness.
-
Keep ham refrigerated at 40°F or below and use within 3-5 days.
Final Ham Calculation for 50 Sandwiches
For a typical 3 oz deli ham sandwich, purchase at least 10 pounds of ham and preferably 2-3 extra pounds to be safe.
To accommodate larger appetites, get 13 pounds or more. Having extra is better than running out!
With the right amount of sliced ham and some sandwich prep organization, you’ll be ready to easily feed a crowd.
Handy Tips for Assembling 50 Sandwiches
Feeding a large group with sandwiches takes some strategy. Here are tips to streamline the process:
-
Set up an assembly line with stations for bread, spreads, vegetables, ham, cheese slices and toppings.
-
Use convection ovens, toasters or grills to quickly prepare multiple sandwiches at once.
-
Pre-slice vegetables and cheeses for faster sandwich building.
-
Use large containers to mix mayo, mustard, salad dressing and other condiments ahead of time.
-
Stock up on sandwich bags and foil for easy grab-and-go packing.
-
Label sandwiches with ingredients for dietary needs.
-
Provide disposable gloves, tongs, and utensils for hygienic prep.
-
Keep perishable ingredients chilled like lettuce, tomato and sliced ham.
With advance preparation and teamwork, you can assemble 50 sandwiches efficiently. Just don’t forget the napkins!
Menu Ideas for Groups Using Sliced Ham
Beyond basic ham sandwiches, here are some menu ideas perfect for feeding crowds:
-
Assorted sub sandwiches with ham, turkey, roast beef and vegetarian options. Include cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion.
-
Build your own nacho bar with sliced ham, chicken, beans, salsa, cheese, olives, jalapeños.
-
Ham and cheese sliders on Hawaiian rolls with pickles and condiments.
-
Potato ham skillet bake or cheesy ham and potato casserole.
-
Ham salad lettuce wraps or sandwiches served with fresh fruit and veggie trays.
-
Hearty ham, bean and kale soup, paired with garden or Caesar salad.
-
Ham and pineapple skewers glazed with brown sugar. Fried rice and egg rolls on the side.
Get creative with menus that feature sliced ham in sandwiches, salads, nachos, sliders, skewers and more! It’s incredibly versatile for pleasing crowds.
How much deli meat per person?
You need to know how much deli meat you need to buy before you put together your deli platter. This is when you want to come up with a custom combination of meats.
It’s important to feel sure that you’ll have enough food for your guests when you go to the grocery store.
How many pounds of meat you buy will depend on a couple of factors. How many people will be at the event and what else will be served
They say that the general rule of thumb is six ounces of cold cuts per adult. That is assuming that these people will only be making a single sandwich.
In my experience, it depends on the crowd. You can be sure that each member of the football team will bring two sandwiches to a high school graduation party.
The amount of meat you buy will also depend on the other food you are serving. You probably won’t need too much lunch meat if you’re having lasagna, meatballs, chicken parmesan, and salad.
If the cold cut tray is the main course and the party is full of old ladies, everyone should get 6 ounces of deli meat.
Two ounces of deli meat will do if the cold cut tray is an appetizer and will be used for finger sandwiches.
You also want to make sure the cold cuts are sliced properly. You can get enough meat for everyone, but the slices will not work if they are too thick.
You want to ask the guy at the deli counter to slice the cold cuts thin. I think the perfect sized slice is about a half ounce. That means you should get 32 slices of meat if you order a pound of lunch meat, which is 16 ounces.
The amount of meat you need to order is basically just simple math. If you need 12 servings of deli meat, you’re going to need 4 and a half pounds.
The amount of cheese you need is similar. You won’t need as much cheese as you do meat.
A good rule of thumb is that you will need one ounce of cheese per sandwich.
The cheese slices are usually about a half ounce each. On your next visit to the deli, ask the deli man to weigh one for you. If it’s more than a half ounce it’s probably too thick.
If you follow this formula, for every six ounces of meat you should have one ounce of cheese. The meat portions are bigger than the cheese portions.
When Do You Need A Cold Cut Platter
We make cold cut platters for all types of occasions. They are a great way to feed a large number of guests in a fun way.
People can serve themselves and make their own exciting creations. In my opinion, people enjoy browsing the different varieties of meats and cheeses. There is an easy way to make a lot of people happy, even if they have different tastes.
Order a cold cut tray for an office meeting when you will be working through lunch. Get some fresh rolls and a variety of pickles and spread.
If you’re having a holiday dinner at your house you should have a big cold cut platter. They are great as an appetizer on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.
A cold cut tray will keep your guests happy until the main course is served at a Christening, graduation, or First Holy Communion. A glass of wine and some finger sandwiches is a nice way to welcome your guests.
How to make the perfect ham sandwich!
FAQ
How many pounds of deli meat for 50 sandwiches?
How many sandwiches in a pound of sliced ham?
How much ham do I need for 40 sandwiches?
How much ham do I need for 25 sandwiches?
How much Ham do you need for a ham sandwich?
For boneless ham, a serving size of one person should be about 1/3 pound and one serving size of two people should be about 1/2 pound. Next, think about the size of the sandwich you’ll be making. If you’re making smaller sandwiches, such as finger sandwiches, you may need less ham per person than if you’re making larger sandwiches.
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 do you make a ham sandwich?
Spread one slice of bread with butter, then spread a VERY thin layer of mustard on the other. Top the mustard slice with a slightly more liberal spread of mayo. Top either slice with shaved cheese, then add the ham on top. I recommend folding in the ham, just to create a bit more height to the sandwich. Sprinkle the ham with black pepper to taste.
How much Ham should a family eat?
For the typical brined and smoked boneless ham, plan for each person to eat between 1/3 and 1/2 pounds. You never know how much ham your guests will want to eat the day of your holiday gathering, but this leaves enough for everyone to enjoy their holiday meal’s main dish.