Planning a large gathering is an exercise in both hospitality and mathematics. Whether you are hosting a festive holiday dinner, a graduation party, or a Sunday brunch, the center of the table often features a beautiful, glazed ham. However, the one question that haunts every host is: “Will I have enough?”
When you are looking at how much ham to serve 20 people, the answer isn’t a single number. It depends on the type of ham you choose, the timing of the meal, and who exactly is sitting at your table. This guide will walk you through the nuances of ham calculations so you can shop with confidence and ensure no guest leaves hungry.
Understanding the Variables of Ham Portions
Before you head to the butcher or the grocery store, you need to understand that ham is not sold in a “one size fits all” format. The yield of meat you get from a 10-pound ham depends heavily on whether there is a bone taking up space and weight.
Bone-In vs. Boneless Ham
The biggest factor in your calculation is the bone. A bone-in ham is often preferred for its superior flavor and the traditional aesthetic it provides. The bone also conducts heat during the cooking process, which many enthusiasts believe leads to juicier meat. However, when you buy a bone-in ham, you are paying for weight that you won’t actually eat.
For a bone-in ham, the general rule of thumb is to allow for 3/4 pound to 1 pound of “as-purchased” weight per person. If you are serving 20 people, this means you should look for a ham weighing between 15 and 20 pounds.
Boneless hams are much easier to slice and offer a 100% yield. Since there is no waste, you can decrease the amount per person. For a boneless ham, you should aim for 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person. For a group of 20, a 7 to 10-pound boneless ham is usually sufficient.
The Guest List Profile
Who are you feeding? A group of twenty teenage athletes will consume significantly more than a group of twenty toddlers at a birthday party. If your guest list includes many children, you can safely lean toward the lower end of the weight estimates. Conversely, if you are hosting a “meat and potatoes” crowd, always round up.
The Type of Event
The “when” and “how” of your event also dictate the portion sizes. If you are serving a full sit-down dinner where ham is the primary protein, guests will likely take a larger slab. If you are hosting a cocktail party where ham is served on small slider rolls or as part of a charcuterie board, the consumption per person drops dramatically. For sandwiches, you can often get away with 1/4 pound per person, meaning a 5-pound boneless ham might satisfy 20 people in a buffet setting.
Calculating the Specifics for 20 People
To make it easy, let’s break down the math for the most common types of ham you will encounter in the store.
Spiral Sliced Ham
Spiral hams are incredibly popular because they are pre-sliced all the way to the bone, making serving a breeze. These are almost always bone-in. Because they are so easy to grab, people often take more than they would if they had to carve it themselves. For 20 people, a 16 to 18-pound spiral ham is the “sweet spot.”
Whole vs. Half Hams
A whole ham can weigh up to 20 pounds and serves about 20 to 25 people perfectly. If you find that the whole hams are too small or you can only find “half” hams (the butt end or the shank end), you will likely need to buy two.
The shank end is the classic “tapered” look with one straight bone, making it easier to carve. The butt end is leaner and more tender but has a complicated T-shaped bone that makes carving a bit of a puzzle. If you are buying two halves to reach your 20-person goal, getting one of each provides a nice variety for your guests.
The Importance of Side Dishes
The amount of ham you need is inversely proportional to the number of side dishes you provide. If you are serving a “Grand Feast” with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, dinner rolls, and a salad, guests will naturally take a smaller portion of ham.
If ham is the star of a minimalist menu, people will return for seconds and thirds. When planning for 20 people, if you have at least four hearty side dishes, you can stick to the 3/4 pound (bone-in) or 1/3 pound (boneless) rule without worry.
Preparation and Safety Tips
Once you have purchased your 15 to 20 pounds of ham, the next challenge is cooking it safely and deliciously. Most hams sold in stores are “city hams,” which are already cured and fully cooked. Your job is essentially to reheat them without drying them out.
Cooking Temperatures
To keep the ham moist, you should wrap it tightly in foil and bake it at a relatively low temperature, such as 325°F. You are looking to reach an internal temperature of 140°F for a pre-cooked ham to ensure it is hot throughout. If you happen to have a “fresh” ham (one that hasn’t been cured or cooked), you must cook it to an internal temperature of 145°F and allow it to rest for at least three minutes.
The Glaze Factor
A glaze adds flavor and creates a beautiful crust. Apply your glaze during the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking. If you apply it too early, the sugars in the glaze might burn at 325°F before the center of the ham is warm.
Dealing with Leftovers
In the world of hosting, having too much is always better than having too little. Leftover ham is incredibly versatile. It can be used for breakfast omelets, split pea soup, or ham and cheese sliders the next day.
If you find yourself with an abundance of meat after serving your 20 guests, remember that ham freezes exceptionally well. You can dice the leftovers, portion them into freezer bags, and use them for quick meals for up to two months.
Summary Checklist for 20 Guests
To ensure you are fully prepared, keep this quick reference in mind:
- Bone-in Ham: Buy 15 to 20 pounds.
- Boneless Ham: Buy 7 to 10 pounds.
- For Sandwiches/Sliders: Buy 5 to 7 pounds of boneless ham.
- Oven Space: Ensure your roasting pan and oven can accommodate a 20-pound bird or ham.
- Resting Time: Allow the ham to rest for 15 to 20 minutes before carving to keep the juices inside.
FAQs About Serving Ham to a Large Group
How much ham do I need for 20 people if I am also serving turkey?
If you are serving two “main” proteins, such as ham and turkey, you can reduce the portion size of each by about 30 to 40 percent. For 20 people, you would likely only need a 10 to 12-pound bone-in ham or a 5-pound boneless ham, alongside a medium-sized turkey.
What is the difference between a shank end and a butt end ham?
The shank end is the lower part of the leg. It has more fat, which adds flavor, and one long bone that is easy to cut around. The butt end is the upper part of the leg; it is meatier and leaner but has a trickier bone structure. For 20 people, a whole ham includes both, but if buying halves, the shank is usually easier for the host to manage.
How long does it take to thaw a frozen ham for 20 people?
A large 15 to 20-pound ham will take a significant amount of time to thaw in the refrigerator. You should allow approximately 4 to 6 hours per pound. This means a 20-pound ham could take up to 4 or 5 days to thaw completely in the fridge. Never thaw ham on the counter at room temperature.
How many slices of ham are in a pound?
On average, you can expect about 4 to 5 standard deli-style slices per pound. However, for a dinner-cut ham (thicker slices), you usually get 2 to 3 slices per pound. When serving 20 people, you want to ensure there is enough for everyone to have at least 2 thick slices.
Can I cook a 20-pound ham in a slow cooker?
Most standard slow cookers are 6 to 8 quarts, which will not fit a 15 to 20-pound bone-in ham. If you are serving 20 people and want to use a slow cooker, you would likely need to buy two smaller boneless hams and use two separate slow cookers, or slice the ham off the bone before heating. For a group of this size, a conventional oven is usually the best tool for the job.