My daughter is counting on 14 people for Christmas dinner. She's going to have ham instead of the traditional turkey. I volunteered to supply the ham. I'm new at this business; how big a ham should I get for 14 people?
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How Much Ham?
- Thread starter Cyrano
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Bone in or out?
The more the better...leftovers!
hoosierone
Member
At least 1/2 pound for each guest.
10 - 12 pounds, depending on the number of side dishes. Always better to have to much than not enough. I really like the Honey-Baked spiral sliced hams.
Those are the hands down absolute best.
If you are not a pre-sliced ham kind of chef, stick with the half hams, bone in, go for the butt portion, not the shank, butt is harder to carve but tastes better, costs a little more. I score the outside of the ham, bone side down, in the pan in diamond cuts about 1/4 inch deep, then stick about 50 cloves into the grooves around the circumference of the ham, pour pineapple juice into the pan with about an inch of 7-UP, then stick the pineapple slices over the top of the ham. Give it a generous covering of real maple syrup, tent with foil and into the oven...great, now I'm hungry.
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Straight from Al Gore's interwebz:
"According to the USDA, 1/4 to 1/3 pound of boneless ham is equal to one serving, so in order to feed 14 people, a minimum of 3.5 pounds of boneless ham is needed. For bone-in ham, the serving size listed is 1/3 to 1/2 pound. This means that a 4.5- to 5-pound ham is required. For many people, these servings are small. In order to ensure that there is enough for every guest, chefs must plan on cooking based on the larger of the size ranges."
"Martha Stewart suggests that the best serving size for bone-in ham is 3/4 pound and 1/2 pound for boneless hams. This means that an 11-pound bone-in ham is needed, or a 7-pound boneless ham is needed in order to feed 14 dinner guests. A half ham typically ranges in size from 7 to 10 pounds and is more than enough to feed 14 people for dinner, with leftovers likely. Cooks should always ensure that the ham has been cooked to at least 150 F, even if it is cooled prior to being eaten."
"According to the USDA, 1/4 to 1/3 pound of boneless ham is equal to one serving, so in order to feed 14 people, a minimum of 3.5 pounds of boneless ham is needed. For bone-in ham, the serving size listed is 1/3 to 1/2 pound. This means that a 4.5- to 5-pound ham is required. For many people, these servings are small. In order to ensure that there is enough for every guest, chefs must plan on cooking based on the larger of the size ranges."
"Martha Stewart suggests that the best serving size for bone-in ham is 3/4 pound and 1/2 pound for boneless hams. This means that an 11-pound bone-in ham is needed, or a 7-pound boneless ham is needed in order to feed 14 dinner guests. A half ham typically ranges in size from 7 to 10 pounds and is more than enough to feed 14 people for dinner, with leftovers likely. Cooks should always ensure that the ham has been cooked to at least 150 F, even if it is cooled prior to being eaten."
hardcase60
Member
All the basic bases have been covered. Spiral Sliced hams are by far the best and easiest. If you don't have a Honey Baked outlet available most large grocery stores now carry them. No question the Honey Baked brand is good but just like anything else you pay a premium for the name. Although most are precooked if you know someone who is smoking turkeys get them to throw your ham in there for a while. Excellent touch. As to the grocery store hams they usually come with a packet of glaze. Those directions will call for water. I personally like to sub Brandy, Sherry or Bourbon. If not totally at least half. Best of luck. hardcase60
THE PILGRIM
Member
I also go spiral, 1/2 pound per person.
After all, you do want some leftover!
Do don't have too much ham until you can't get your garage door down.
After all, you do want some leftover!
Do don't have too much ham until you can't get your garage door down.
We'll have tenderloin and cook 1 lb. per person. If leftover can't be eat in a few days it can be froze and eat really later. It would be really embarrassing to run out of meat. Larry
Now That's a proper cooked ham dinner right there!! Except for the maple syrup part. I prefer a home made buckwheat honey glaze myself
Who suggested a spirial cut ham??
Why I Aught a .....
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But it's CHRISTMAS!!
Old TexMex
Member
coltle6920
Member
Thanksgiving was always the traditional big meal for me growing up and Christmas time was more laid back.We still had a big ham but it was carved to make sandwiches.There was always plenty of finger foods,cheeseballs,crackers and things.
Christmas time is the warmup for New Year's Eve but without getting pie eyed.
Christmas time is the warmup for New Year's Eve but without getting pie eyed.
DWalt
Member
In Texas, H-E-B has their own spiral sliced hams. Honey Baked is more expensive, but I doubt it is any better.
I personally prefer ham to turkey, but my wife does not like ham. She is the only person I know that doesn't. So we always have turkey at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Her opinions seem to always have priority.
I personally prefer ham to turkey, but my wife does not like ham. She is the only person I know that doesn't. So we always have turkey at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Her opinions seem to always have priority.
hardcase60
Member
On Thanksgiving this year we went with a a few racks of pork ribs and some potato salad. Haven't quite decided on Christmas, I'm on the fence between homemade chili with cheese enchiladas or homemade gumbo with stuffed catfish fillet's and some assorted sides. Decisions, decisions..... hardcase60
I think some of these servings suggestions are WAY light. How many of you can eat an 8 oz. steak and then ask for another one? Go, ahead. Raise your hands. Then, there is the leftover thing. What's better than a ham sandwich or three over the next couple of days? Are you sending any leftovers home with guests? How many of the party are 200 lb., 30 year old guys and how many are children? Go BIG!
DWalt
Member
This year my wife has decided it will be either lasagna or spaghetti for Christmas dinner, mainly because the grandkids like pasta better than anything else. But we're not even Italian. OK with me. I like both, but I would prefer lasagna. That means it will be spaghetti.
jlrhiner
US Veteran
On the subject of ham glazes, this is my own;
for a 10lb ham,
8oz of apple jelly,
8oz of apple cider or juice
1tsp of cinnamon
In a saucepan, warm the cider/juice and slowly add the apple jelly, stirring constantly. When the pot is liquid, add the cinnamon and continue stirring until the liquid is hot. Pour over the ham in the last 15 minutes of baking.
Your welcome.
for a 10lb ham,
8oz of apple jelly,
8oz of apple cider or juice
1tsp of cinnamon
In a saucepan, warm the cider/juice and slowly add the apple jelly, stirring constantly. When the pot is liquid, add the cinnamon and continue stirring until the liquid is hot. Pour over the ham in the last 15 minutes of baking.
Your welcome.
