Quick BBQ Ham Sandwiches

Quick & easy BBQ Ham Sandwiches are a family favorite with slices of tender ham simmered in a semi-homemade bbq sauce. Serve over buns and with provolone cheese for the best 30 minute dinner.

Easy One Pan Dinner – BBQ Ham Sandwich Recipe

This is one of those recipes that I just want to force everyone to make – in the nicest way possible of course! These BBQ Ham Sandwiches are like mind-blowing delicious and quite frankly, one of the best things I’ve made in awhile. 

My family loves ham so I knew these quick sandwiches would be a hit. One skillet pan is all you need for this recipe. Mix up a simple semi-homemade BBQ sauce and let the sliced deli ham simmer in it. Thicken up the sauce before serving and you’re ready to eat. 

We prefer these served ‘sloppy Joe style’ inside hamburger buns and with some provolone cheese. Yummy! 

Ingredients Needed

• Semi-Homemade BBQ Sauce

  • Water
  • Ketchup
  • Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce – This is the one I always use but any variety/flavor of BBQ sauce can be used here.
  • Light Brown Sugar
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Yellow Mustard – Use dijon mustard for a kick or spicy brown mustard. 
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder

• Ham

  • 1 1/2 pounds Thinly Sliced Honey Ham – Go to the deli counter and ask for them to slice it thin. This fresh cut deli ham is more expensive but completely worth it for this recipe. Promise. I use either a honey ham or brown sugar ham, or regular ham is great too. 
  • Water + Cornstarch – This helps to thicken up the sauce before serving. 

How To Make Quick Ham Sandwiches with Deli Ham

Making these ham sandwiches is actually very easy. Learn how to make them with all my helpful tips and a detailed recipe card below. 

1. In a small bowl whisk together the BBQ sauce ingredients. This includes water, ketchup, brown sugar bbq sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder. 
2. Separate the ham into individual slices as you add them into a large skillet pan (with a lid). Pour the bbq sauce over top and cook on medium-high heat, stirring frequently to mix around the ham, until it’s bubbly and slightly boiling. 
3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium or medium-low, cover the pan with a lid and allow it to simmer for 10-12 minutes. Take the lid off and stir it a few times during the simmer time. You will know the ham is done when it’s darker in color and the bbq sauce has almost caramelized to the ham and the sauce is slightly thicker. 
4. Stir together the cornstarch + water in a small bowl and pour it into the skillet pan, while stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened. This should only take 1-2 minutes. 
5. Use tongs to serve the ham onto a Hamburger bun topped with non-smoked provolone cheese. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I Make These Sandwiches Spicy?

  • Yes you can! The recipe as is, is not spicy at all, it’s more on the smokey sweet side. If you want some spice then here are some options. 
    • Add Chili Powder, cayenne red pepper, or red pepper chili flakes
    • Use spicy brown mustard or dijon mustard in place of yellow mustard. 
    • Use spicy ketchup, jalapeño ketchup, or sriracha ketchup. I have seen all the various at the goer store. 
    • Add some hot sauce into the bbq sauce mixture. 

• How To Serve BBQ Ham Sandwiches

  • My family’s preferred way to eat these is on a hamburger bun (sloppy Joe style) with a slice of cheese. I think toasting the buns is so worth the extra effort, but they’re still delicious on regular hamburger buns if you’re in a hurry. 
  • Use any cheese you want! Non-smoked provolone cheese is what I serve these sandwiches with, but mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, cheddar are all great options too. 
  • Any roll or type of bread will also work. Use slider buns for smaller slider sandwiches, use crusty baguette type rolls, or even use sliced French bread for an open-faced sandwich. 
  • To Toast The Buns : Spread each side of the bun with butter. Broil for a few minutes until toasted brown. Place 1 slice of cheese (if using) on the bottom bun and return the pan back to the oven on broil until the cheese is melted. Use tongs to add some bbq ham onto the cheese and then top with the other bun. 

Recipe Tips

Here are a few of my helpful tips so that you can have success recreating this recipe in your own kitchen ♥

• Use Fresh Sliced Deli Ham : Yes, it is slightly more expensive than just buying the container of deli ham but I promise you that it is worth it. Using freshly sliced deli ham gives you that fresh flavor and it allows the pieces of ham to be cut thinner, which is a good thing while the meat simmers. The thinner pieces of ham get super tender and soft and the bbq sauce just infuses each piece with tons of flavor. Go to the deli counter and ask for “1 1/2 pounds of thinly sliced honey ham”. Most delis use a number system so sliced at a number 1 also works. 
• Simmer Time : Don’t rush this. This simmer time is what allows the ham to become super tender, really flavorful, and like velvety smooth almost. The ham will almost develop a ‘crust’ on it (a good thing) while simmering. And make sure you put the lid on the pan during the simmer time as this allows the flavor to really infuse into the ham and it keeps things hotter. 
• Toasted Hamburger Buns : I highly recommend toasting the hamburger buns for serving. Spread both sides with butter and broil for a few minutes. Place a piece of cheese on the bottom bun and broil for 1 more minute on until melted. Using tongs, serve the ham onto the piece of bun with the cheese. Top with the other bun and enjoy. 

More Ham Dinner Recipes To Try

• Macaroni & Cheese Ham Casserole
• Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham
• Ham Fried Rice
• Baked Ham & Cheese Sandwiches
• Sweet Pineapple Glazed Ham
• Ham and Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
• Brown Sugar Ham