Planning a gathering for a crowd of twenty is a milestone in any home cook’s journey. Whether it is a festive holiday dinner, a graduation party, or a Sunday brunch, the centerpiece of the meal often falls to a beautifully glazed ham. However, nothing induces “party-planning panic” quite like the fear of running out of food—or, conversely, being stuck with ten pounds of leftovers that your family refuses to look at by Tuesday. Determining exactly how much ham to feed 20 people requires a bit of math, a little bit of strategy, and a solid understanding of the type of ham you are buying.
Understanding Ham Yield and Portion Sizes
The first thing to realize is that a pound of ham at the grocery store does not equal a pound of meat on the plate. When you are calculating your needs, you have to account for the “yield.” This refers to the amount of edible meat left after you remove the bone, the excess fat, and any shrinkage that occurs during the reheating or cooking process.
For a group of 20, the general rule of thumb depends on whether the meat is bone-in or boneless.
Bone-In Ham Requirements for 20 Guests
Bone-in hams are widely considered the gold standard for flavor and presentation. The bone helps conduct heat during cooking, keeping the meat moist, and it provides a fantastic base for soups later on. However, because the bone carries significant weight, you need to buy more total pounds to ensure everyone gets enough to eat.
Standard catering estimates suggest roughly 3/4 pound to 1 pound of bone-in ham per person. For a group of 20 people, you should aim for a ham weighing between 15 and 20 pounds.
If you are serving a “heavy” crowd—think hungry teenagers or a group that skips the side dishes—aim for the higher end of that spectrum. If the ham is part of a massive buffet with three other proteins and ten side dishes, you can safely stick to the 15-pound range.
Boneless Ham Requirements for 20 Guests
Boneless hams are the champions of convenience. They are easy to slice, easy to store, and every ounce you pay for is edible. Because there is no waste involved, your per-person requirement drops significantly.
For boneless ham, you should plan for 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person. For 20 guests, this means you need a total of 7 to 10 pounds of ham.
A 10-pound boneless ham is usually plenty for 20 people, even allowing for a few guests to go back for seconds. These are often sold as “pit hams” or “football hams” and are ideal for sandwiches or sliders if your event is more casual.
Factors That Change Your Calculations
While the math above provides a solid baseline, every party is different. Before you head to the butcher, consider these variables that might influence your final purchase.
The Time of Day
The timing of your meal dictates how much people will eat. Brunch and lunch crowds tend to be lighter eaters, often preferring smaller portions or sandwich-style servings. For a midday event, you can stick to the lower end of the weight estimates.
Dinner, however, is a different story. When ham is the primary star of a formal sit-down dinner, guests expect a heartier portion. If you are hosting a 6:00 PM dinner for 20, buy the larger ham.
The Number of Side Dishes
If your table is groaning under the weight of mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, mac and cheese, rolls, and a salad, guests will naturally take less meat. If ham is one of many options—perhaps alongside a turkey or a roast beef—you can actually cut your ham requirement in half.
Slicing Style
How you serve the ham affects how much is consumed. Thick, hand-carved slabs look beautiful on a plate but lead to higher consumption. Spiral-sliced hams, which are pre-cut into thin, uniform slices, allow guests to take exactly what they want without over-committing. Spiral hams often go further because the slices are thinner and easier to portion out.
Preparing the Ham for Your Crowd
Once you have purchased your 15-to-20-pound bone-in ham or your 10-pound boneless ham, the goal is to keep it juicy. Most hams purchased today are “fully cooked,” meaning you are essentially just reheating them to a safe and palatable temperature.
To prevent the meat from drying out, place the ham in a roasting pan with a bit of water or apple juice in the bottom. Cover it tightly with foil. Heat your oven to 325°F. You want to cook the ham until the internal temperature reaches 140°F. If you are glazing the ham, increase the heat to 400°F for the last 15 minutes of cooking to caramelize the sugar.
Handling the Leftovers
If you follow the “1 pound per person” rule for bone-in ham, you will likely have leftovers. This is rarely a bad thing. Leftover ham is incredibly versatile. It stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days, or it can be frozen for up to two months.
The bone itself is a hidden treasure. Once the meat is carved off, simmer the bone with dried beans, onions, and carrots to create a rich, smoky split pea soup or navy bean stew.
Shopping Tips for the Best Value
When shopping for 20 people, look for “City Hams.” These are the most common hams found in grocery stores—wet-cured and usually smoked. “Country Hams” are dry-cured, very salty, and usually served in much smaller portions, so they are not typically used as a main roasting ham for a large crowd.
Check the label for “added water.” A “Ham with Natural Juices” has a higher meat-to-water ratio and better texture than a “Ham, Water Added” or a “Ham and Water Product.” When feeding a large group, the quality of the meat matters just as much as the quantity.
Summary of Weights for 20 People
To make it easy to remember when you are standing in the meat aisle:
- Bone-In Ham: 15 to 20 pounds.
- Boneless Ham: 7 to 10 pounds.
- Spiral Sliced: 15 pounds (usually falls right in the sweet spot for 20 people).
By following these guidelines, you can host your 20 guests with confidence, knowing that everyone will leave the table satisfied, and you won’t be overwhelmed by a mountain of meat the next morning.
FAQs
How long does it take to thaw a 15 pound ham?
A 15-pound ham will take approximately 2 to 3 days to thaw completely in the refrigerator. It is important to keep the ham in its original packaging and place it on a tray to catch any drips. Never thaw meat on the counter at room temperature, as this can lead to bacterial growth.
What is the best way to keep ham warm for a party of 20?
If you are serving buffet-style, the best way to keep ham warm is in a slow cooker on the “warm” setting or in a chafing dish with a lid. If the ham is already sliced, add a splash of chicken broth or pineapple juice to the bottom of the container to create steam and prevent the slices from drying out under the heat.
Should I choose a shank end or a butt end ham?
For a group of 20, you may end up buying a whole ham (which includes both), but if you are buying two smaller halves, here is the difference: The shank end (the lower leg) is easier to carve and has a classic ham shape. The butt end (the upper hip) is leaner and has more meat, but the bone structure is more complex, making it trickier to slice neatly.
Is it cheaper to buy two small hams or one large one?
Generally, it is more cost-effective to buy one large ham. Large, whole hams often have a lower price per pound than smaller, “premium” cuts or halves. Additionally, one large ham retains moisture better during the cooking process than two smaller ones, which have more surface area exposed to the heat.
How much ham should I buy if I am making ham sliders?
If ham is being served on small slider buns rather than as a main entree slice, you can reduce your estimate. For 20 people, plan on 2 to 3 sliders per person. This usually requires about 5 to 6 pounds of sliced boneless ham. This is a great way to stretch your budget while still ensuring everyone gets their fill.