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Savory ham meatballs are coated in a thick, sticky, sweet and sour glaze and then baked in the oven until piping hot and irresistible. You know those foods that stick in your memory? These ham balls are one of those recipes.
I tried one when they were still piping hot from the oven. I burned my mouth and then, despite the burn, I ate another one while they were still way too hot. They are that good. My family loved them and they managed to eat this entire batch of meatballs in less than 24 hours.
My friend Rebecca warned me about these crazy ham balls. We were talking months ago and she mentioned that she makes these in lieu of a traditional ham for the holidays. My family LOVES this Balsamic and Dijon Glazed Ham, so I couldn’t even imagine not making our favorite ham. However, I get it now. I still make a ham every year, but these ham balls now have first place in the lineup of favorite “leftover ham recipes.”
And here’s the BEST part, you’re going to use some of these meatballs to make this insanely delicious Sweet and Sour Ham Ball Stir Fry. My family goes crazy over that recipe, we love it that much.
I’ve been making these ham balls for a few years now and they still disappear almost as fast as they cool from the oven. My whole family cheers when they know I’m making a batch. They freeze beautifully too, so don’t hesitate to make the full batch.
If you’ve never ground your own meat before, do not be intimidated. The first time I made these meatballs it was a first for me as well. I bought an inexpensive meat grinder just for this recipe. It is super easy to use and well worth having.
You know how there are recipes that are on your radar for a while and then when you finally make them you wonder what took you so long? These Ham Balls were one of those recipes. I have my friend Sue’s Bourbon Meatballs on my meal plan for next week and I strongly suspect that they are going to be a similar story. Don’t they look incredible?
Ingredients
- Meatball Ingredients:
- 2 pounds leftover ham
- 2 pounds ground pork
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs gluten free panko will work fine as well
- Glaze Ingredients:
- 3 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons ground mustard powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease (2) 9x13 baking dishes with oil and set aside. Use the coarse setting on your meat grinder to grind the leftover ham. If you don't have a meat grinder, you can use a food processor to pulse until it is chopped like hamburger meat.
- Combine all the meatball ingredients in a large bowl and mix with your hands until combined. Roll into 1 1/2" - 2" meatballs. I use a medium size cookie scoop to scoop them all the same size before smoothing them with my hands. Arrange the meatballs in the baking pans and set aside.
- Whisk together all the glaze ingredients in a medium size saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, whisking until the sugar has dissolved. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 4-5 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
- Pour the glaze over the ham balls, dividing it between the two pans. Bake the ham balls, uncovered, for 75-85 minutes, until the ham balls have browned and the sauce has reduced to a syrupy consistency. Enjoy!
- FREEZER MEAL: Let the meatballs cool and then transfer to a freezer safe Ziploc or an airtight container. Pour all remaining glaze over them and press out any air. Let thaw in the refrigerator before reheating covered in the oven, on the stove-top or in the microwave.
Notes
{originally posted 4/10/2014 – recipe notes and photos updated 1/31/2017}
Here are some more meatball recipes you might like:
French Onion Au Gratin Meatballs by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs by Barefeet In The Kitchen
Crock-Pot Honey Garlic Meatballs by Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
Easy Italian Meatball Bake by Lemons for Lulu
Turkey Meatballs with Bruschetta Sauce by Shugary Sweets
I wonder what other sides would go well with these for Easter dinner.
I think they'd work work with just about anything. 🙂
We love them with roasted and/or glazed sweet potatoes and/or carrots! Mashed sweet potatoes, rice, bread… Shoot. I feel like Bubba in Forest Gump now.
Whoa baby… Those hamballs look fabulous. And now I can't wait for next weekend to get working on these. Must. Make. Hamballs!
I've always wanted to try ham balls! I'm skipping a big ham this Easter so I think these are going on the menu. Yum!
These sound really good but I must admit to never having heard of ham meatballs, so I learned something here today.
I can see why these would be delicious!
Velva
I've never heard of a hamball! Now I have another meatball to add to my growing collection, pinned!
Would a food processor work?
Yes, you can use a food processor. It is mentioned in the recipe. 🙂
I have been looking for a good ham ball recipe and because you always have MARVELOUS recipes, I will give this first go. It does sound delicious. Thank you for passing this on. 🙂
I’m a meatball geek, and I collect recipes like crazy, but I’ve never come across a HAM meatball! This is next up on my to-do list 🙂
Sue, you MUST try these! They are truly that good. (And oh yes, I thought of you first for meatball recipes. Those Bourbon Meatballs call my name!)
Hi, Question, I do not eat pork, can I use anything else with the ham?
thank you
I’d recommend finding a different recipe to make. Ham is also pork, so this is simply not an adaptable recipe.
Is the 3 1/2 cups brown sugar correct. Sounds like a lot.
Yes, the amount is correct. Much of that is glaze that won’t all be absorbed by the meatballs.
These sound amazing!!!
Made these…brought back memories of 25-30 years ago. A Mennonite woman made this mixture and sold it at her family’s County store. She passed away and I’ve tried so many Recipes and never got “that flavor” ! Well, this is it!! Thank you!!
I’m making a pineapple stuffing to go on the side with these hamballs…will go great together. You can also do a pineapple glaze/sauce on the meatballs.
This looks like exactly what I’m looking for! Do you think this recipe would work in a crockpot?
You’ll need to sear the meatballs before putting them in the crockpot, but it should work fine that way, Erin. I can’t speak to the cooking time though, as I’ve never done that myself.
Or just buy ham loaf, instead of doing all that grinding work!!
Pretty sure that won’t work quite the same, but it’s worth trying, Bonnie.
Hi. Just wondering if you’ve ever used a small canned ham instead of just leftovers?
I imagine that would work fine, Jodi. You can also buy 2 lbs of unsliced ham in the deli of most grocery stores and then just chop it into chunks to grind it.
Hi, I’m Denise this is the first time I’ve made these ham balls according to your directions. Wow do they smell just like my Mother’s . Now I’m making the sauce for them which smells delectable. I will have to let you all know how these turn out.
I am so happy that you enjoyed the ham balls, Denise!
Hello Mary,
Would Italian style bread crumbs work in the ham balls?
What could I use instead. I’m nervous about makin these as my mother-in-law makes them for Christmas every year. And are they ever GOOD. Thank you for any help
I actually use Italian-style last time I made them because that was what I had on hand, Minnie. The hamballs turned out fine. Given my choice? I’d buy plain bread crumbs, but the other will work.
Would love the nutrition info on this recipe!
The calories are listed on the recipe card, Angela. However, if you’re needing more information that you can cut and paste the ingredient list into an online recipe calculator.