A Ham To Buy - How Big

Plan for 3/4 to 1 pound per person. The bone adds significant weight but also provides the best flavor and a base for soup later.

A 20-pound ham is a beast. Measure your roasting pan and your oven clearance before buying the biggest one in the case. how big a ham to buy

The Shank (lower leg) is the classic "tapered" look and is easier to carve. The Butt (upper leg) is leaner and more tender but has a tricky T-shaped bone that makes slicing a bit harder. Plan for 3/4 to 1 pound per person

Plan for 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person. Since it is 100% meat, a little goes much further. 📈 The Quick-Reference Cheat Sheet Measure your roasting pan and your oven clearance

If you are serving a massive spread with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and three types of pie, people will eat less ham. Stick to the lower end of the estimates.

The "right size" depends entirely on whether you are buying a ham with a bone or one without.

Plan for 3/4 to 1 pound per person. The bone adds significant weight but also provides the best flavor and a base for soup later.

A 20-pound ham is a beast. Measure your roasting pan and your oven clearance before buying the biggest one in the case.

The Shank (lower leg) is the classic "tapered" look and is easier to carve. The Butt (upper leg) is leaner and more tender but has a tricky T-shaped bone that makes slicing a bit harder.

Plan for 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person. Since it is 100% meat, a little goes much further. 📈 The Quick-Reference Cheat Sheet

If you are serving a massive spread with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and three types of pie, people will eat less ham. Stick to the lower end of the estimates.

The "right size" depends entirely on whether you are buying a ham with a bone or one without.