Pittsburgh Chipped Ham Barbecue Recipe

Chipped ham: Thinly sliced ham, often found in the deli section, known for its tender texture and ability to absorb flavors.

Ketchup: A sweet and tangy tomato-based condiment that forms the base of the barbecue sauce.

Vinegar: Adds acidity and tanginess to balance the sweetness of the sauce.

Brown sugar: Provides sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor to the sauce.

Worcestershire sauce: A savory sauce that adds depth and umami to the barbecue mixture.

Yellow mustard: Adds a slight tang and sharpness to the sauce.

Onion powder: Provides a mild onion flavor without the texture of fresh onions.

Garlic powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor to the sauce.

Hamburger buns: Soft buns that serve as the perfect vessel for the chipped ham barbecue.

To enhance the flavor of your chipped ham barbecue, consider caramelizing the brown sugar in the skillet before adding the other ingredients. This will add a deeper, richer sweetness to the sauce. Start by heating the skillet over medium heat, then add the brown sugar and stir continuously until it melts and turns a deep amber color. Be careful not to burn it. Once caramelized, quickly add the ketchup, vinegar, and other ingredients to stop the cooking process and proceed with the recipe as directed.

• thinly sliced chipped ham - Substitute with thinly sliced deli ham: Thinly sliced deli ham can mimic the texture and flavor of chipped ham, making it a suitable replacement.

• ketchup - Substitute with tomato sauce: Tomato sauce can be used as a base, but you may need to add a bit of sugar and vinegar to match the sweetness and tanginess of ketchup.

• vinegar - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice provides a similar acidity and tanginess, though it may impart a slightly different flavor.

• brown sugar - Substitute with white sugar and molasses: Mixing white sugar with a small amount of molasses can replicate the flavor and moisture of brown sugar.

• worcestershire sauce - Substitute with soy sauce and a splash of vinegar: Soy sauce with a bit of vinegar can mimic the umami and tangy notes of Worcestershire sauce.

• yellow mustard - Substitute with dijon mustard: Dijon mustard has a similar tangy flavor, though it is slightly more complex and less sweet.

• onion powder - Substitute with finely minced onion: Freshly minced onion can provide a similar flavor, though it will add a bit of texture.

• garlic powder - Substitute with finely minced garlic: Fresh garlic can replace garlic powder, offering a more intense and fresh garlic flavor.

• hamburger buns - Substitute with sandwich rolls: Sandwich rolls can serve as a suitable alternative, providing a similar texture and structure for the barbecue ham.

• Allow the chipped ham barbecue to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the sauce watery.
• Transfer the cooled chipped ham barbecue into an airtight container. Make sure to use a container that is appropriately sized to minimize air exposure.
• For short-term storage, place the container in the refrigerator. The chipped ham barbecue will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
• For longer storage, consider freezing. Portion the chipped ham barbecue into freezer-safe bags or containers. Label each with the date to keep track of freshness.
• When freezing, try to remove as much air as possible from the bags to prevent freezer burn. Flatten the bags for easier stacking and quicker thawing.
• To reheat, thaw frozen chipped ham barbecue in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, transfer to a skillet and heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
• If reheating from the refrigerator, you can use a microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until heated evenly.
• For an extra burst of flavor, add a splash of vinegar or a dash of worcestershire sauce while reheating to refresh the taste.
• Serve the reheated chipped ham barbecue on fresh hamburger buns for the best experience.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Place the leftover chipped ham barbecue in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.
  3. Stir occasionally until the ham is heated through, about 5-7 minutes.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Transfer the chipped ham barbecue to a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small corner open to vent.
  3. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Repeat if necessary until heated through.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chipped ham barbecue in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil.
  3. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through, stirring halfway through the cooking time.

• Slow Cooker Method:

  1. Transfer the chipped ham barbecue to a slow cooker.
  2. Set the slow cooker to low heat.
  3. Heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the ham is thoroughly warmed.

• Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for cooking the chipped ham and sauce mixture over medium heat.

• Spatula: A tool used for stirring the ingredients in the skillet to ensure they are well combined and the ham is evenly coated with the sauce.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the ketchup, vinegar, and brown sugar accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, onion powder, and garlic powder precisely.

• Cutting board: A surface for placing the chipped ham before adding it to the skillet.

• Knife: Used to thinly slice the chipped ham if it is not pre-sliced.

• Serving spoon: Used to scoop the chipped ham barbecue onto the hamburger buns.

• Hamburger buns: The bread used to serve the chipped ham barbecue.

Prepare the sauce ahead: Mix the ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, mustard, onion powder, and garlic powder in advance and store in the fridge.

Use pre-sliced ham: Buy thinly sliced chipped ham from the deli to save time on slicing.

One-pan cooking: Cook the chipped ham and sauce in the same skillet to minimize cleanup.

Toast the buns: While the ham is cooking, lightly toast the hamburger buns to add texture and flavor.