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Delicious glazed ham balls recipe with sides

The Ultimate Ham Balls Recipe

This classic ham balls recipe features a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Made with ground ham, pork, and a delicious tangy glaze, these ham balls are perfect for holiday dinners, potlucks, or easy weeknight meals. They’re juicy, full of flavor, and incredibly simple to prepare!

  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 6 serving 1x

Ingredients

Scale

✅ Ham Balls:

  • 1 lb ground ham
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1 cup crushed crackers or breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
  • ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional)

✅ Glaze:

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard

Instructions

✅ Step 1: Preheat the Oven

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

✅ Step 2: Prepare the Ham Ball Mixture

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine ground ham, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, brown sugar, mustard, and seasonings.
  • Mix well but avoid overmixing to keep the ham balls tender.

✅ Step 3: Shape the Ham Balls

  • Form the mixture into 1.5- to 2-inch balls and place them in the prepared baking dish.

✅ Step 4: Bake the Ham Balls

  • Bake for 20 minutes while preparing the glaze.

✅ Step 5: Prepare the Glaze

  • In a saucepan over medium heat, mix ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and mustard. Stir until smooth and slightly thickened.

✅ Step 6: Glaze and Finish Baking

  • Remove the ham balls from the oven, coat them generously with glaze, and return them to the oven for another 20-25 minutes, basting halfway through.

✅ Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

  • Let the ham balls rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with mashed potatoes or vegetables!
YouTube video

Notes

✅ Storage:

  • Store leftover ham balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

✅ Reheating:

  • Oven: Reheat at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
  • Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through.

✅ Variations:

 

  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed rice crackers.
  • Keto-Friendly: Substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour and use a sugar-free glaze.
  • Spicy Version: Add ½ tsp cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the glaze for extra heat.
  • Author: Heston
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course, Comfort Food, Holiday Recipes
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American, Midwest

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3 ham balls
  • Calories: 220 kcal
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 16g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: Ham Balls Recipe, Glazed Ham Balls, Sweet and Savory Meatballs, Midwest Comfort Food, Easy Dinner Recipe