Slow Cooker Creamy Pulled Ham Sandwiches

If you need an easy recipe that can feed a crowd without spending all day in the kitchen, these Slow Cooker Creamy Pulled Ham Sandwiches are a good one to save!

The ham cooks low and slow until it’s tender enough to pull apart, but what really makes this recipe is the sauce. I use some of those flavorful juices from the slow cooker to make a rich, creamy sauce with heavy cream, Dijon mustard, Cajun seasoning, and just a little horseradish.

Once the shredded ham goes back into that creamy sauce, you end up with a warm, savory mixture that’s perfect piled onto soft rolls.

This is the kind of recipe I love for game days, family get-togethers, potlucks, holidays, or anytime you have a bunch of people to feed. Put out a pot of the creamy ham and a basket of rolls and let everyone make their own.

And there’s a bonus: this recipe can also be a great Leftover Makeover after the holidays!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This is one of those recipes where the slow cooker does most of the work. A 4–6 pound ham makes plenty for a crowd, and cooking it low and slow makes it easy to shred.

I also love that you aren’t throwing away all that liquid left behind in the slow cooker. We use it to add tons of flavor to the creamy sauce.

The finished ham is rich and creamy with a little tang from the Dijon mustard and an optional kick from the horseradish. Serve it with soft rolls, and dinner is done!

Slow Cooker Creamy Pulled Ham Sandwiches

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 hours
Method: Slow Cooker + Stovetop
Course: Main Dish
Serves: A crowd

Ingredients

For the Ham

• 1 (4–6 pound) ham butt or shank
• 1 cup water

For the Creamy Sauce

• 1 stick (½ cup) butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Tony Chachere’s Cajun seasoning, or your favorite Cajun seasoning
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 cups reserved ham juice from the slow cooker
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• ¼ cup Dijon or stone-ground mustard
• 2 tablespoons creamy horseradish, optional

For Serving

• Rolls or sandwich buns

Instructions

1. Slow cook the ham.
Place the ham in your slow cooker and add 1 cup of water. Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours, or until the ham is very tender and pulls apart easily.

2. Shred the ham.
Remove the ham from the slow cooker and reserve 2 cups of the cooking liquid. Remove the bone and any excess fat, then chop or shred the ham. Set aside.

3. Make the roux.
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the flour, salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning, parsley, and minced garlic. Stir and cook for about 1–2 minutes.

4. Make the creamy sauce.
Slowly whisk in 2 cups of the reserved ham juice. Add the heavy cream and continue cooking and stirring until the sauce begins to thicken.

5. Add the flavor.
Reduce the heat and stir in the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and creamy horseradish, if using. Stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

6. Add the pulled ham.
Fold the shredded ham into the sauce. Continue cooking over low heat until everything is heated through and the sauce is thick enough to coat the ham.

7. Serve.
Spoon the warm creamy pulled ham onto rolls or sandwich buns and serve!

Finding Easy Tip: Make It With Leftover Ham

Here’s where this recipe gets even better.

If you have a bunch of ham left after Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another family dinner, turn those leftovers into an entirely different meal.

Skip the slow-cooker step and start with your shredded leftover ham. Since you won’t have the cooking liquid from the slow cooker, substitute ham broth or chicken broth when making the sauce.

It’s an easy Leftover Makeover that doesn’t feel like you’re serving everyone the same holiday dinner for the second night in a row.

What to Serve With Creamy Pulled Ham

Because the ham is so rich and creamy, I’d keep the sides simple. Potato chips, a green salad, coleslaw, roasted vegetables, or a veggie tray would all work well.

For a party, you could also serve the ham with slider-size rolls and turn these into smaller sandwiches.

Can I Make Creamy Pulled Ham Ahead of Time?

Yes! This is actually a great make-ahead recipe for entertaining.

Make the ham and sauce, refrigerate it, and then gently reheat it before serving. If the sauce gets too thick while reheating, stir in a small amount of broth or cream until you get the consistency you want.