How this calculator works
The weight on a ham label includes the bone, the skin and the fat cap, and none of those are eaten. A bone in ham therefore has to start heavier than a boneless one for the same plate of meat. The planning figures here are 250 g of raw ham per person for a bone in ham and 150 g for a boneless one, which puts a generous main course portion on the table with a little to spare. Leftovers add a quarter. These are party planning figures, not nutrition advice: Canada's Food Guide counts 75 g of cooked meat as a protein serving, and 250 g of raw bone in ham yields roughly two of those after cooking and trimming.
Formula
raw ham per person = 250 g for a bone in ham or 150 g for a boneless ham, multiplied by 1.25 if leftovers are wanted. ham to buy = people x raw ham per person. The same figures are used in the table for common party sizes.
Worked example
For 10 people with a bone in ham and leftovers, the raw weight per person is 250 x 1.25 = 312.5 g, so the ham to buy is 10 x 312.5 = 3125 g, or 3.1 kg. A boneless ham for the same party without leftovers needs 10 x 150 = 1500 g, or 1.5 kg. The weight difference is the bone and trim.
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Frequently asked questions
Should I buy cooked or cook-before-eating ham?
A ham labelled fully cooked only needs reheating to 60 C (140 F), while a cook-before-eating ham must reach 71 C (160 F). Both are sold by raw weight, so the amount to buy does not change, but the cooking time does.
How many people does a 5 kg ham serve?
A 5 kg bone in ham at 250 g per person serves about 20 people, or 16 with leftovers. The same weight boneless serves about 33 people, which shows how much the bone matters.
What else should I plan per person?
Ham is rarely served alone. Add buns or bread, a potato dish, vegetables or salad, and a sauce or relish. Canada's Food Guide suggests filling half the plate with vegetables and fruit, so the sides carry a large part of the meal.
How long can leftovers be kept?
Refrigerate leftover ham within two hours of cooking, in shallow containers, and use it within three to four days. Reheat leftovers to 74 C (165 F) and discard anything that has been left out at room temperature.