BBQ Ham Sandwich w/ Ossian Ham

Pittsburgh-Style BBQ Ham Sandwich

Made with Ossian Smoked Meats’ Old-Fashioned Boneless Ham

It’s Pittsburgh’s cult classic—done right. This BBQ ham sandwich is smoky, sweet, and saucy with just the right kick. Made famous in steel town lunch counters and backyard cookouts, it’s now headed straight for your table, thanks to Ossian’s boneless smoked ham. No deli slicer? No problem. We’ll show you how to get that signature “chipped” texture right at home.

🥪 Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Sandwiches

• 1 lb Ossian Old-Fashioned Boneless Smoked Ham, very thinly sliced or roughly chopped (see slicing tips below)

• 4 Kaiser rolls, split and lightly toasted

• 1/2 small white onion, thinly sliced

• 8–12 dill pickle slices

BBQ Sauce (Homemade or Store-Bought)

• 1 cup ketchup

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 2 tbsp yellow mustard

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• Pinch of cayenne (optional)

• Salt and pepper to taste

  OR 1 to 1½ cups of your favorite sweet-and-tangy BBQ sauce

🔪 Slicing Tips for “Chipped” Ham at Home

No meat slicer? No sweat. Here’s how to get that signature texture:

Option 1: Thin Slices with a Sharp Knife

Cut the ham into manageable chunks, then slice as thinly as possible across the grain. Stack a few slices and shred them into ribbons with your hands or chop loosely with a knife to mimic that chipped style.

Option 2: Use a Food Processor

Cut ham into 1–2” pieces and pulse a few times in a food processor using the slicing or standard blade until finely shredded—but not puréed.

Option 3: Rough Chop for a Heartier Take

If thin slicing isn’t practical, just chop the ham into small bite-sized pieces. It will still soak up the sauce beautifully.

🔥 Instructions

1. Make the BBQ Sauce

   Combine all BBQ sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring often. Cook for 10–15 minutes until slightly thickened. Set aside.

   (Skip this step if using bottled sauce.)

2. Warm the Ham

   Add your sliced or chopped ham directly into the sauce. Simmer gently for 5–10 minutes until the ham is heated through and infused with BBQ flavor. Stir occasionally. Do not boil.

3. Assemble the Sandwiches

   Load each toasted Kaiser roll with a generous portion of BBQ ham. Top with thinly sliced onions and dill pickles. Crown with the top bun and press lightly.

4. Serve Hot

   This sandwich is meant to be a little messy and a lot delicious. Napkins required. Leftovers reheat beautifully in a skillet the next day.

🧨 Final Thoughts

It doesn’t matter if you’re working with a carving knife or a countertop slicer—what matters is the ham. Ossian’s smoked ham brings bold, smoky richness to every bite. Add a little tang, a little crunch, and a lot of sauce, and you’ve got yourself a sandwich that honors tradition and your tastebuds.