BBQ Chipped Ham Sandwiches

Move over sloppy joes, Chipped Ham (aka Chip Chop Ham, Chipped Chopped Ham, Chip Chopped Ham) is going to be your new favorite crowd pleasing main course! Deli chopped ham is thinly shaved ("chipped") and combined with a tangy BBQ sauce and heated through in the slow cooker or on the stove top, then piled high onto fresh buns for a warm and satisfying sandwich like no other. BBQ Chipped Ham Sandwiches are a family favorite! 

I've partnered with my friends at OhioPork.org to create this delicious recipe and blog post for you. All opinions are my own

 BBQ chipped ham sandwiches may be new to you, but living in Ohio my whole life, I've been smitten with them for a very long time. Your first thought might be..."BBQ sauce and ham, how does that go together?"

Believe me, it's an amazing combination. And you are going to love it for several reasons!

First off, it's super easy to make. If you can find chopped ham and bottled Isaly's BBQ Sauce at your grocers, this is essentially a 2 ingredient recipe. This BBQ sauce is uniquely suited for the chipped ham. It's a bit more on the thin side and vinegar forward. If you can't find this BBQ Sauce, no worries. I have a homemade recipe below for Isaly's BBQ sauce that's a dead ringer for the original, made from common ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and fridge.

Second, it's well suited for serving to large groups of people. If you tailgate and/or entertain this time of year, this is a great protein to serve. Did you know that depending on the cut, every 3 ounces of pork is packed full of 22-24 grams of protein? 

Ham, in general makes a wonderful party food whether you go for a spiral sliced ham or elevate it like in these fabulous Sauerkraut Balls, my favorite Ham Hash, these fun Ham and Swiss Deviled Eggs, or these easy BBQ chipped ham sandwiches. Chipped ham sandwiches are the are also easy on the wallet because chopped ham is an economical deli choice. 

Chipped Ham History

According to Wikipedia, Chipped Chopped Ham or Chipped Ham is made from deli chopped ham. Chopped ham is made with pork (ham) chunks and seasonings and then shaped into a loaf. Chipping, or shaving, is done to produce very thin sliced of meat. This process produces a slightly different taste and texture than thickly sliced ham. It's popular in Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The most popular brand of chipped ham in those states is Isaly's, but there are other brands that make chopped ham and it can be found in markets across the country. 

The idea of combining chipped ham with BBQ sauce started at the Isaly's restaurants in Mansfield, Ohio, as far as I can tell. You might hear these sandwiches referred to as "ham barbeque" or "barbequed chipped ham". They are very popular in Pittsburgh and sometimes called "Pittsburgh barbeques". Here in my neck of the woods, we call them BBQ Chipped Chopped Ham Sandwiches.

Isaly's Fun Fact

Isaly's was a chain of family owned dairies and restaurants started in Mansfield, Ohio. They are famous for their chipped chopped ham and for creating the Klondike Bar! Today, you can still purchase their chipped chopped ham and BBQ sauce in this region. While it's no longer 59 cents per pound, it's still a pretty economical choice at the deli counter. 

What can I used to make chipped ham sandwiches if I can't find chopped ham at my deli counter?

If you can't find the kind of chopped ham that comes in a compressed loaf at your deli, you can substitute any kind of boiled ham that has been shaved thinly with a commercial meat slicer. It won't be exactly like the original, but it will still be delicious. 

How to make BBQ chipped ham sandwiches 

Ingredients and Equipment:

• 2 pounds chipped chopped ham (chopped ham shaved thin)
• slow cooker or medium to large saucepan
• Isaly's BBQ sauce 
• If you can't find Isaly's BBQ sauce, you can make your own Isaly's BBQ sauce recipe with the following ingredients: (scroll down for complete recipe with instructions in recipe card)
• unsalted butter
• flour
• ketchup
• brown sugar
• vinegar
• water
• Worcestershire sauce

You can make this recipe in a pan on the stove OR you can use a slow cooker. If making for a crowd, a slow cooker is the easiest way to go. It will also keep the BBQ ham warm for self serve sandwiches. 

Add the chipped chopped ham to the slow cooker. 

Pour on Isaly's BBQ sauce or your homemade BBQ sauce (recipe in recipe card below).

Mix to combine. Set slow cooker on LOW for 1 1/2 hours (or until chipped chopped ham is heated through) or HIGH for 1 hour (or until chip chop ham is heated through) stirring occasionally. (May heat quicker depending on whether the BBQ sauce is hot or not when combining). You don't really need to "cook" the ham, just heat it through. It is already fully cooked when you purchase it. 

Stir again before serving. You should get approximately 10 - 12 servings from this recipe, a little more or less depending on how stuffed the sandwiches are with ham. 

How to make homemade BBQ Sauce for chipped ham

In medium to large sauce pan on medium heat, melt 1 TBSP unsalted butter. Sprinkle on 1 TBSP all purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for one minute. Add 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 cup ketchup, 3 TBSP brown sugar, and 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce to flour mixture and stir constantly on medium heat until mixture thickens. It should still be somewhat thin, but thicker than water. 

At this point you can cool and store in refrigerator to use later ,you can continue with making the BBQ chipped chopped ham on the stove top by adding the ham and heating it through or you can add it to the slow cooker with the ham.  

If making for a party, I still recommend keeping it warm in a slow cooker set to warm or low. 

Can I freeze BBQ chipped chopped ham?

I would not recommend freezing BBQ chipped chopped ham. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator and use up within 3 days.

Whether you serve these chipped ham sandwiches on full sized buns, on slider buns, or without a bun at all, they are sure to be the hit of the party! 

Crowd pleasing sides to serve with BBQ Chipped Ham Sandwiches

• Amish Macaroni Salad
• Garlic Roasted Potatoes
• Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad

Hog farming in Ohio

Did you know that more than 3500 Ohio family farms raise enough pork to feed about 25 million people? When you purchase pork at your grocery store or farmers market, you are supporting Ohio farm families. Want to find out more about how a hog farm operates? Check out my blog about my visit to the Shoup family hog farm!

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chipped ham, chipped chopped ham, chip chop ham, chipped chop ham

main course, slow cooker

American

Yield: 10 - 12 (approx. 3 ounce ham) Servings

Author: Renee Paj

Chipped Ham

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 5 M

Chipped Ham (aka Chip Chop Ham, Chipped Chopped Ham, Chip Chopped Ham) is deli chopped ham thinly shaved ("chipped") and combined with a tangy BBQ sauce and heated through in the slow cooker or on the stove top, then piled high onto fresh buns for a warm and satisfying sandwich like no other.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chopped ham (thinly shaved)
• BBQ sauce (Isaly's or recipe below)
• 10 - 12 buns

BBQ sauce for chipped ham

• 1 TBSP unsalted butter
• 1 TBSP all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup white vinegar (can use apple cider vinegar)
• 1 cup ketchup
• 3 TBSP brown sugar
• 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. If making your own BBQ sauce, prepare that first. In medium to large sauce pan on medium heat, melt 1 TBSP unsalted butter. Sprinkle on 1 TBSP all purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for one minute. Add 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 cup ketchup, 3 TBSP brown sugar, and 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce to flour mixture and stir constantly on medium heat until mixture thickens. It should still be somewhat thin, but thicker than water. At this point, you can take off heat and store in refrigerator until ready to use it, add in the ham (if making this dish in a pan vs a slow cooker), or add it to the slow cooker. 
2. If preparing chipped ham in a pan, add the ham to the BBQ sauce and stir to combine. Continue to heat until heated through. 
3. If preparing chipped ham in a slow cooker, combine the homemade BBQ sauce or the jarred BBQ sauce with the ham. Heat on LOW for about 1 1/2 hours, or HIGH for about an hour, stirring occasionally until heated through. (May heat quicker depending on whether the BBQ sauce is hot or not when combining). 
4. Serve on warm, on buns. 

Nutrition Facts

Calories

307.78

Fat (grams)

20.52

Sat. Fat (grams)

10.55

Carbs (grams)

15.62

Fiber (grams)

1.30

Net carbs

14.32

Sugar (grams)

9.63

Protein (grams)

15.56

Sodium (milligrams)

1309.42

Cholesterol (grams)

85.29

Nutritional Information provided is an estimate.

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