Delicious Chipped Ham BBQ Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How many pounds of chipped ham per person? ›

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.

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.

Chopped ham is a mixture of ham chunks and trimmings and seasonings, ground together and then packaged into loaves. 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 a large bowl, combine water, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and mustard; pour over ham and stir well. Cover and cook on low until heated through, 4-5 hours. Serve on buns.

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.

All About Chipped Chopped Ham

The chopped ham loaf then gets shaved incredibly thin on the meat slicer — or nowadays, the chipper — to create a fine texture and "hammier" flavor. Many brands today sell chopped ham, however, not all delis will "chip" it — especially if you don't live in the Pennsylvania region.

Rump, Butt, Or Sirloin

The rump contains the femur and pelvic bone, which can be challenging to carve around. It is a more tender and flavorful cut of meat and can often be more expensive.

It's rich in protein and several beneficial nutrients. However, regularly eating processed meats like ham may increase your risk of certain cancers. Thus, it's best to limit your intake and stick to fresh, less processed types of ham as part of a balanced diet.

By shaving (chipping) the meat very thin, the ham is more tender and has more flavor than if it were sliced more thickly. In Western PA, Northern West Virginia, and Eastern Ohio (aka the Ohio Valley), this slicing process is known as "Pittsburgh Style."

Can you freeze chipped ham on the barbecue? ›

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.

Aptly named, boneless ham doesn't contain any bone at all.

Use Indirect Heat

To keep the end from drying out, place the ham cut-side down on a sheet of aluminum foil. This will help hold in the moisture while exposing the skin to the heat and flavor of the grill. Remember to place the ham over indirect heat.

With a bone-in ham, plan on one-third to one-half pound of meat per person (or two to three servings per pound), or more if you want leftovers. For a boneless ham, figure about quarter-pound per person, or more for leftovers.

A whole bone-in ham (19lbs average weight) serves up to 30 or 40 people. Definitely the right choice for family reunions and other big get-togethers. A whole boneless ham (6.7lbs average weight) serves roughly 25 people. Same basic idea, plus a boneless ham is a little easier to carve.

1/4 - 1/3 lb. per serving of boneless ham.

Figuring out how much ham to buy

Here's a general guide of how much boneless fresh ham you'll need if each person consumes the approximated amount: 4 people: 1 to 2 pounds. 6 people: 2 to 3 pounds. 10 people: 3 to 5 pounds.