Pittsburgh chipped ham barbecue is a slow cooker recipe you can make right at home that tastes almost exactly like the iconic Isaly version! Shaved ham gets slow cooked in a sweet, tangy sauce and piled high on burger buns.
Pittsburgh makes some really good food.
We’re talking Primanti’s, Pittsburgh Salad, and now this chipped ham barbecue.
It’s so good!
You’ll want to make it over and over again.
Is chipped ham a Pittsburgh thing?
Chipped chopped ham isn’t just a Pittsburgh thing- it’s a Pittsburgh icon!
Isaly’s made chopped ham barbecue sandwiches so popular that other diners and restaurants in the area started serving it.
Now you can find it all over western Pennsylvania and even into Ohio and West Virginia.
Ingredients
To make this, you’ll need:
- Oil– Extra virgin olive oil
- Onion– A minced small onion
- Relish– Sweet relish
- Ketchup– Make sure it’s Heinz
- Chili Sauce– Again make sure it’s Heinz
- Brown sugar
- Vinegar– Apple cider
- Liquid smoke– Only use 1 drop
- Barbecue rub– Your favorite brand
- Ham– Chipped or chipped chopped ham are the best for this and most authentic. However, it can be hard to find depending on where you are. So if you can’t find it order finely shaved ham from the deli.
How to Make
To make this chipped ham barbecue, heat the oil to a large skillet set over medium low heat.
Once the oil is hot, stir in the onions and saute them just until they are tender.
When the onions are tender, stir in the relish and cook just until the moisture’s cooked out.
Stir in the ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, liquid smoke, and barbecue rub to the skillet.
Cook the mixture until it’s heated through.
Spray the bowl of a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Add the ham to the bowl of your slow cooker and pour the sauce overtop of the ham.
Stir to combine.
Cover and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours, until everything’s nicely combined and the sauce has thickened some.
Serve on hamburger buns, and enjoy.
What type of ham is chipped ham?
Chipped ham or chipped chopped ham is a kind of lunch meat from chopped ham.
Basically it’s pieces of ham, seasonings, and trimmings all ground together into a loaf and sliced thinly.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the slow cooker or microwave until warmed through.
Tips and Tricks
- Finely mince the onion. You want it to all but disappear into the mixture so you don’t even realize it’s there.
- For the authentic taste use Heinz brand ketchup and chili sauce. This is nonnegotiable to any Pittsburgher.
- Do not be tempted to use more than a single drop of liquid smoke, otherwise your sauce will be way too smoky.
- For authentic serving pile it high on fluffy buns and top it with a single slice of sharp cheddar. Serve it with plain potato chips on the side.
Other Ham Recipes
Pittsburgh chipped ham barbecue is a yummy taste of the Steel City.
Make it and enjoy!
Looking for other ham recipes?
Try these:
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Pittsburgh Chipped Ham Barbecue (Slow Cooker Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion minced
- 1/4 cup sweet relish
- 2 cups HEINZ ketchup
- heaping 1/3 cup HEINZ chili sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 drop liquid smoke
- 1/4 tsp barbecue rub
- 1- 1 1/2 lbs shaved ham
Instructions
- Add the oil to a large skillet set over medium low heat. Once hot, add the onions and stir. Saute just until tender.
- Add the relish, stirring to combine, and cook just until the moisture's cooked out.
- Add the ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, liquid smoke, and barbecue rub to the skillet. Stir to evenly combine, and cook until heated through.
- Spray the bowl of a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add the ham to the bowl. Pour the sauce overtop of the ham, and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours, until everything's nicely combined and the sauce has thickened some.
- Serve on hamburger buns, and enjoy.
Notes
- Finely mince the onion. You want it to all but disappear into the mixture so you don't even realize it's there.
- For the authentic taste use Heinz brand ketchup and chili sauce. This is nonnegotiable to any Pittsburgher.
- Do not be tempted to use more than a single drop of liquid smoke, otherwise your sauce will be way too smoky.
- For authentic serving pile it high on fluffy buns and top it with a single slice of sharp cheddar. Serve it with plain potato chips on the side.
Phyllis says
I grew up 45 miles north of Pittsburgh. We had a Isaly’s 3 miles from us. I remember growing up eating chipped ham from Isaly’s and my mom making bbq with the chipped ham and always using Heinz ketchup. Thanks for the recipe and great reminder of my childhood.
4sonsrus says
So glad it brought back childhood memories 🙂