Delicious Chipped Ham BBQ Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is chipped ham a Pittsburgh thing? ›

By chipping or shaving the meat loaf against a commercial meat slicer blade, the resultant thinly sliced product has a different texture and flavor compared to thickly sliced ham. In western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio, the slicing process is also referred to as "Pittsburgh style".

It features ham from a processed, pressed, shape loaf called “Chopped Ham.” That ham is “chipped,” or shaved translucently thin, to the point where it begins to shred. The product is sold as “chipped chopped ham” or sometimes referred to by locals as “chip chop” ham.

The best rule of thumb for ham is to plan about 1/2 pound per person when picking a bone-in ham (it's heavier) and 1/3 pound if boneless. Look, at the end of the day, some people will eat more than expected, some will eat less—it'll even out.

Barbecued chipped ham sandwiches are a quick solution to dinner. The BBQ sauce is simple and made from scratch on the stovetop. The ham mixture can also be frozen.

Isaly's Original Chipped Chopped Ham

You can now buy Isaly's Chipped Chopped Ham ONLINE at Penn Mac! Click here to go to their website. Fresher: Unmatched for freshness.

Chipped chopped ham was created by a Pittsburgh-based brand called Isaly's (pronounced "EYE-zlees"). During its heyday from the 1930s to the 1980s, Isaly's Dairy Stores were all over Western Pennsylvania and Ohio. Isaly's had it all: a small grocery store, a deli counter, and even an ice cream parlor.

For the typical brined and smoked boneless ham, plan for each person to eat between 1/3 and 1/2 pounds. You never know how much ham your guests will want to eat the day of your holiday gathering, but this leaves enough for everyone to enjoy their holiday meal's main dish.

A bone-in ham makes for a great visual presentation on the table, and is perfect for carving. And it's not just there for show — a ham bone is an excellent starter for flavorful soups and stocks. Boneless hams are easier to carve, and better suited for sandwiches. There's no real difference in flavor or texture.

Apply a light coat of The BBQ Rub over the dijon. Place the ham on the smoker and cook for 2 1/2 hours. Heat the brown sugar, honey, and vinegar sauce until warm and drizzle over the ham. Use a basting brush to spread the glaze over the surface if necessary.

In short? Once you open a package of ham, or if it comes open — like if it was sliced at the deli counter— you can safely eat your leftovers for up to five days.

What deli meats are not processed? ›

Fresh chicken, turkey, beef, pork and fish that have not been modified are considered unprocessed meats.

If the ham is unopened, you can freeze it in its original packaging. When freezing leftover ham (whole or sliced), here are some tips to follow: Make sure the ham is cooled and dry (to prevent ice crystals). Wrap in plastic wrap or a freezer bag and then tightly cover with foil.

There are at least three Isaly's still in operation in southwestern Pennsylvania in the areas of West View, Turtle Creek, and East Allegheny (city neighborhood of Pittsburgh), all retaining most of the classic interior.

The back leg of the hog is where we get fresh, smoked, or cured hams. Serrano ham and prosciutto are made from hams that are cured, smoked, and then air-dried. Fresh hams are usually roasted, but they can be cut into ham steaks as well.

Packaged lunch meats can be stored in the refrigerator for two weeks before opening. After opening a package of lunch meats or buying sliced lunch meats at a deli, you can refrigerate them for three to five days.

It was sold to Smithfield Foods in 2006.