Low Carb Pulled Ham (Simple 0g Carb Deli Ham)

0g Net Carbs

Pulled ham instead of dry holiday slices.
Use fully cooked deli ham you already buy when it goes on sale.
Hands-off Dutch oven method with no thermometer drama.
Moist results that reheat well for leftovers.

Why This Low Carb Pulled Ham Works

Fully cooked deli ham is lean and dries out quickly when reheated uncovered.
Low, slow, fully covered braising relaxes muscle fibers instead of tightening them.
Trapped moisture prevents surface dehydration during the long cook.
Texture-based doneness avoids overcooking cured meat.

Ingredient Spotlight

Fully cooked deli ham is already cured and seasoned, so it doesn’t need glaze or sugar to taste good.
A small amount of liquid creates a gentle braise that keeps the ham moist without washing out flavor.

Troubleshooting & Pro Tips

If the ham won’t shred easily, it isn’t done — cover and cook longer.
If it looks dry while pulling, add pan juices a little at a time.
Do not cook uncovered and do not rely on internal temperature alone.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

Pulled ham holds well refrigerated for several days.
Reheat gently, covered, with reserved juices to prevent drying.
Avoid reheating uncovered or at high heat.

Serving Low Carb Pulled Ham

Serve anywhere sliced ham would normally dry out, especially on holiday plates — it pairs especially well with sugar free chow chow on the side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why not just slice the ham?
Because reheating lean deli ham in slices is exactly how it turns dry.Why no glaze during cooking?
Sugar plus long heat causes surface drying and burn-on; glaze works best as an optional finish.

Low Carb Pulled Ham (Fully Cooked Deli Ham)

Pulled Fully Cooked Deli Ham is a Dutch oven method designed to keep holiday ham moist and shred-tender instead of dry and slice-bound. Using a fully cooked deli ham cooked low and covered with a small amount of liquid, this technique produces pullable strands ideal for holiday meals, leftovers, and reheating without dryness. Especially useful for Sweet Slice–style deli hams commonly purchased during seasonal sales.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time4 hours hrs

Total Time4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course: Meat

Cuisine: American

Keyword: holiday ham recipe, keto pulled ham, low carb ham recipe, pulled ham, shredded deli ham

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3-4 lb fully cooked deli ham
• 2 cups apple or pineapple juice or broth

Instructions

• Cut ham into 2–3 large chunks if needed to fit comfortably in a Dutch oven.
• Place ham in a 6 qt Dutch oven and add liquid.
• Cover tightly with lid.
• Cook in a 275°F oven for 3½–4½ hours, until ham shreds easily with a fork.
• Remove from oven and rest covered 15 minutes.
• Pull ham while hot and moisten with pan juices as needed.

Notes

This method produces moist, shred-friendly ham, not pork-shoulder BBQ pull.

Fork-tender texture is the doneness test; internal temperature is secondary.

Cooking fully covered is the key change that prevents dryness.

Some fully cooked deli hams, including Boar’s Head Brown Sugar & Spice, are sold with a packaged glaze. Do not apply the glaze before or during cooking, and do not add it to the Dutch oven. The high sugar content causes surface drying and sticky burn-on during long, covered heating, which is the main reason reheated ham turns dry. Cook the ham plain and fully covered, pull it while hot, and moisten with pan juices first. If using the glaze at all, warm a small amount with pan juices and drizzle lightly after pulling or serve on the side.

Nutrition Summary (per serving)

Carbs 0.3g

Calories 417kcal

Fat 29g

Sugar 0.3g

Protein 37g

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Nutrition Facts

Low Carb Pulled Ham (Fully Cooked Deli Ham)

Serving Size

 

6 oz

Amount per Serving

Calories

417

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

29

g

45

%

Saturated Fat

 

10

g

63

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

3

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

13

g

Cholesterol

 

107

mg

36

%

Sodium

 

2237

mg

97

%

Potassium

 

497

mg

14

%

Carbohydrates

 

0.3

g

0

%

Sugar

 

0.3

g

0

%

Protein

 

37

g

74

%

Calcium

 

14

mg

1

%

Iron

 

2

mg

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.