How Much Ham Per Person? Christmas Ham and Roast Chart
Christmas dinner usually centers on a ham, a prime rib or a turkey, and each one needs a different amount per guest because of the bone. Here's a simple rule for each, a chart by guest count and a worked example for Friday, Dec 25, 2026.
Setting out the buffet? The Christmas Food Labels printable – $3 has fold-over tent cards with gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, nuts and spicy tick boxes, plus potluck and leftover labels. Print at home (Letter + A4).
Setting the Christmas table? The Christmas Place Cards printable – $3 has 24 fold-over name cards, kids' color-in cards, 12 conversation cards with a question on the back, table numbers, a seating plan and a menu card. Print at home (Letter + A4).
The rules of thumb
- Bone-in ham: about ¾ lb per person (1 lb if you want leftovers).
- Boneless or spiral-cut boneless ham: about ½ lb per person (¾ lb for leftovers).
- Bone-in prime rib (standing rib roast): about 1 lb per person, or roughly one rib for every 2 guests.
- Boneless rib roast or beef tenderloin: about ½ lb per person.
- Whole turkey: 1 to 1½ lb per person (see how much turkey per person).
Count kids as about half a portion. If you serve two mains, cut each by about a third.
Ham size by guest count
| Guests | Bone-in ham | Boneless ham | Bone-in prime rib |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3–4 lb | 2–3 lb | 2 ribs (4 lb) |
| 6 | 4½–6 lb | 3–4½ lb | 3 ribs (6 lb) |
| 8 | 6–8 lb | 4–6 lb | 4 ribs (8 lb) |
| 10 | 7½–10 lb | 5–7½ lb | 5 ribs (10 lb) |
| 12 | 9–12 lb | 6–9 lb | 6 ribs (12 lb) |
| 16 | 12–16 lb | 8–12 lb | two 4-rib roasts |
| 20 | 15–20 lb (or two hams) | 10–15 lb | two 5-rib roasts |
The lower number is for one meal, the higher one leaves leftovers.
Sides per person
Rough amounts for an adult who also eats the main:
- Potatoes (mashed, scalloped or roasted): about ½ lb raw
- Green vegetables: about ½ cup (¼ lb)
- Rolls: 1½ to 2
- Gravy or sauce: about ⅓ cup
- Dessert: one 9-inch pie or cake serves about 8
With five or more sides, make a little less of each.
Worked example: 10 guests, ham, wanting leftovers
10 × 1 lb = a 10 lb bone-in ham. Most store hams are fully cooked, so you're reheating, not cooking: at 325°F plan roughly 15–18 minutes per pound for a whole bone-in ham (check the label, since times vary by cut). For a 6 PM dinner, a 10 lb ham goes in around 2:45 PM and rests while you finish the sides. Sides: 5 lb potatoes, 2½ lb green beans, 20 rolls and 2 desserts.
Common questions
What temperature should reheated ham reach? 140°F for a fully cooked ham from a USDA-inspected plant; 145°F (then a 3-minute rest) for a ham labeled "cook before eating." Use a thermometer.
Does a spiral ham need less per person? Spiral hams are usually bone-in, so plan ¾ lb each. They dry out fast, so keep them covered while reheating.
How long do leftovers keep? About 3 to 5 days in the fridge for cooked ham. Refrigerate within 2 hours of serving.
Plan the menu, guests and timeline on paper: the Christmas Dinner Planner printable ($4) has pages for the guest list, menu, shopping and the day's timeline.
Want the oven times worked out for you? The Holiday Dinner Cooking Timeline Calculator ($5, Excel + Google Sheets) turns your dinner time into a schedule for each dish. A pen and the chart above work too.
Labeling the buffet? The Christmas Food Labels printable ($3) has fold-over dish cards with diet and allergy tick boxes. Labels help guests choose, but they don't guarantee a dish is allergen-free.
Related template: read about the christmas dinner hosting planner template
See all Cedar & Ledger templates
Frequently asked questions
What does this guide cover?
How much ham per person for Christmas: 3/4 lb bone-in, 1/2 lb boneless, prime rib by the rib, a chart for 4 to 20 guests, sides and a 10-guest example.
What's the main idea?
Count kids as about half a portion. If you serve two mains, cut each by about a third.
Do I need a template to do this?
No. A notebook or a sheet you build yourself works fine. Cedar & Ledger also sells spreadsheet templates (I'd earn from a purchase); see the template box at the top of this page.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's general information with example numbers only, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Use your own numbers and check anything important with a qualified professional or the official source.