Slow Cooker Pulled Ham With Carolina Mustard

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 12/6/21
pulled ham with mustard sauce
Diana Rattray
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 9 hrs
Total: 9 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 8 to 10 servings

This smoky pulled ham is a nice change of pace from the everyday pulled pork, and it makes fabulous sandwiches. If you don't use it all, use the leftover chopped or shredded ham in casseroles or in a skillet hash with diced potatoes, or serve it with breakfast home fries. 

This recipe uses a half smoked pork shoulder (picnic), but a shank portion or smoked pork butt could be used as well. Just be sure to buy a cut that will fit in your slow cooker.

Ingredients

  • 1 (5- to 7-pound) bone-in picnic ham 

  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • 1 cup mustard sauce, recipe below, plain yellow mustard, mayonnaise, or a grainy mustard dip, for the sandwich spread

  • 8 to 10 sandwich buns, toasted if desired

For the South Carolina Mustard Sauce:

  • 3/4 cup yellow mustard

  • 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce, such as Frank's or Texas Pete

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed, for taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Put the ham in the slow cooker crockery insert.

  3. Combine the vinegar, brown sugar, black pepper, and crushed red pepper; pour over the ham.

  4. Cover and cook on LOW for about 9 hours, or until the ham is very tender. Or cook for about 4 to 5 hours on HIGH.

  5. Discard excess fat and bones and the liquids. Shred or chop the ham.

  6. Serve with split sandwich buns and your choice of condiments or spreads, along with coleslaw, beans, or your favorite sides and salads.

  7. Enjoy.

South Carolina Mustard Sauce (optional)

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a saucepan, combine the 3/4 cup of mustard with the 2/3 cup of vinegar, the Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, 2 to 3 tablespoons of brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Blend well and bring to a simmer.

  3. Simmer gently for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced by about one-third.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
671 Calories
19g Fat
46g Carbs
76g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 to 10
Amount per serving
Calories 671
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g 25%
Saturated Fat 4g 18%
Cholesterol 203mg 68%
Sodium 3660mg 159%
Total Carbohydrate 46g 17%
Dietary Fiber 3g 9%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 76g
Vitamin C 1mg 4%
Calcium 93mg 7%
Iron 5mg 27%
Potassium 1269mg 27%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)