If you've ever come across a recipe for the Pittsburgh famous ham barbecue, then you've probably heard of the main ingredient "chipped chopped ham." However, if you live outside of the western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, and eastern Ohio regions, you might not have a clue what it is.
Or maybe you do live in one of those areas and still don't know what it is. There's no shame in only asking the person at Giant Eagle's deli counter to give you chipped ham because that's what your mom always asked for.
Whatever the case, we're here to clear up the confusion about what chipped chopped ham is and where it came from.
All About Chipped Chopped Ham
There are two parts to chipped chopped ham: the first is the type of ham (chopped) and the second is how it's sliced (chipped).
It starts with a loaf (yes, loaf) of chopped ham, which is made of ham, ham trimmings, and seasonings ground up and formed into a mold. Chopped ham was a more economical choice than traditional cooked ham, which is what made it so popular in the post-World War II era.
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. If your deli won't do "Pittsburgh-style," you can ask for shaved ham for a similar texture.
There is also a difference between chipped chopped ham and simply chipped ham. If you live in an area where chipped ham is popular, you can ask the employee at the deli counter to chip basically any kind of ham. So if you like the fine texture of chipped ham for sandwiches, you can get chipped Boar's Head or whatever brand you buy. However, you wouldn't use that ham to make ham barbecue — that's when chipped chopped ham is a must.
While Hormel, Oscar Mayer, and Farmland make chopped ham, there is only one original source. If you want classic chipped chopped ham, you have to go to Isaly's.
Who Invented Chipped Chopped Ham?
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.
If you thought chipped chopped ham was a great invention, wait until you hear about Isaly's Skyscraper cones and Klondike bars (yep, those Klondike bars). Customers would stop by for a chipped ham sandwich and an ice cream cone with scoops that towered four inches over the cone.
Or, if they didn't want to eat there, they could grab chipped ham and a bottle of Isaly's famous barbecue sauce to make ham barbecue sandwiches at home.
There are only a few Isaly's stores left today, but the legacy lives on in grocery stores across the region — and through Isaly's online shop.
You can purchase Isaly's chipped chopped ham, its barbecue sauce, fan-favorite ice cream, as well as other deli and coffee products at supermarket stores in Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Not a fan of ham barbecue? Don't worry about it! You can use chipped ham in basically any recipe that calls for sliced ham — like Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders, Cuban Mini Melts, and ham salad.
FAQs
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.
Is cooked ham the same as chipped ham? ›
All About Chipped Chopped Ham
Chopped ham was a more economical choice than traditional cooked ham, which is what made it so popular in the post-World War II era. 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.
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.
Is chipped ham good for you? ›
Ham is a cut of pork that's typically cured and preserved, although it's also sold fresh. It's rich in protein and several beneficial nutrients. However, regularly eating processed meats like ham may increase your risk of certain cancers.
Is chopped ham processed meat? ›
Yep. “Processed meat” is any meat that's preserved by salting, smoking or curing, or by adding chemical preservatives. That means sausage, bacon, cold cuts like pastrami and salami, hot dogs and, yes, ham.
How many days is chipped ham good for? ›
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.
How thin is chipped ham? ›
WHAT IS “CHIPPED”?: Ham that is “sliced” wafer thin, so thin that you can almost see through it.
Can you buy a ham that is not fully cooked? ›
In fact, most ham that is sold to consumers is already cured, smoked or baked. As a deli meat, it can be eaten right out of the refrigerator, but other hams are typically reheated for improved flavor and texture. You can also buy fresh ham, and it would have to be cooked prior to eating.
Can you freeze Isaly's chipped ham? ›
Isaly's Chipped, Chopped Ham Pittsburgh Style. Yes, you can freeze chipped ham, so buy more! Sold by the Lb.
Why do they call Pittsburgh Yinzers? ›
"Yinzer" (or "Yunzer") was historically used to identify the typical blue-collar people from the Pittsburgh region who often spoke with a heavy Pittsburghese accent.
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.
Who makes Isley's chipped ham? ›
The iconic chipped ham (sometimes marketed as “chipped-chopped ham”) still is available and popular. The brand was recently sold to Conroy Foods in O'Hara Township, which — as “Isaly's LLC” — is starting to revive several flavors of Isaly's ice cream as well.
How much ham do I need for 2 adults? ›
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.
What are the ingredients in chopped ham? ›
Ingredients. Cured with dextrose, water, salt, contains 2% or less of ascorbic acid (vitamin c), flavorings, honey, molasses powder (molasses, maltodextrins), smoke flavor, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite, sodium phosphate.
Is chopped ham and pork spam? ›
SPAM® Chopped Pork and Ham has had the same great taste since its first introduction in 1937.
What is diced ham made of? ›
Ingredients & Nutrition
Pork, water, contains less than 2% of salt, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, brown sugar, sodium diacetate, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite.
What is the crumb on ham made of? ›
INGREDIENTS: Pork (98%), Mineral Sea Salt, Gluten Free Breadcrumbs [Rice Flour, Cornflour, Rapeseed Oil, Salt, Colours (Curcumin, Paprika Extract), Dextrose], Brown Sugar, Stabilisers (Potassium Triphosphate, Sodium Triphosphate, Tetrapotassium Diphosphate), Pork Gelatine, Antioxidant (Sodium Ascorbate), Preservative ( ...
