Description
Delicious and savory ham balls made with ground ham and pork, coated in a sweet and tangy glaze, baked to perfection. A perfect comfort food dish that combines the richness of meats with a flavorful brown sugar and ketchup glaze, finished with a fresh garnish of green onions or parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground ham
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
Glaze
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Garnish
- Chopped green onions or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the ham balls evenly.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground ham, ground pork, graham cracker crumbs, eggs, and milk until well mixed but not overworked to maintain tenderness.
- Form meatballs: Shape the meat mixture into about 12 evenly sized meatballs and arrange them in a 9×13-inch baking dish, ensuring they are spaced slightly apart.
- Glaze meatballs: In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, granulated sugar, dry mustard, dried thyme, water, and apple cider vinegar until smooth. Pour this glaze evenly over the meatballs, coating them thoroughly.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the oven and bake for about 1 hour. Baste the meatballs with the glaze once or twice during baking to enhance flavor and moisture. Bake until the internal temperature reaches 160°F to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Rest and garnish: Remove from the oven, let the ham balls cool for 5-10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley before serving for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham balls reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F.
- Gently mix the meat mixture to avoid tough meatballs.
- Basting during baking helps keep the ham balls moist and flavorful.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Serve ham balls with mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ham balls, ground ham, ground pork, baked meatballs, sweet glaze, comfort food, party appetizer, easy dinner
