Ham Balls
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Why is this ham balls recipe SO delicious? I’ll be honest right out of the gate: I am not usually a huge ham person. Never have been. So when I tell you this ham balls recipe is good, I mean unexpectedly, why-am-I-going-back-for-seconds good.
Ham Balls (Sweet, Tangy & Shockingly Good)
Ham Balls
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They’re tender, savory, and baked in the most ridiculous sweet-and-tangy glaze, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and mustard doing that magical sweet-and-sour thing that somehow makes everything better. If you’ve ever loved a good sweet & sour meatball, you’re already halfway there.
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These are old-school comfort food in the best way. Nothing fancy. Nothing trendy. Just a solid, crowd-pleasing dish that smells incredible while it bakes and tastes even better spooned over rice.
Why You’ll Love These Ham Balls
First, that glaze. It’s sweet, tangy, and just a little sharp from the vinegar and mustard, the kind of sauce you want to scrape out of the pan and drizzle over everything else on your plate.
Second, the texture is perfect. The combo of ground ham and pork keeps these meatballs tender and flavorful without being dry, and the graham cracker crumbs might sound odd, but trust the process. They add just enough structure while keeping everything soft and juicy.
And finally, they’re versatile. Serve them as a hearty dinner with rice or potatoes, or roll them smaller and turn them into an appetizer that disappears way faster than you expect.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’re working with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients here — nothing complicated, nothing fussy.
- Ground ham
- Ground pork
- Eggs
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Milk
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
- Ground yellow mustard
Ground ham and ground pork form the base, with eggs, milk, and graham cracker crumbs keeping everything tender. The glaze is a classic mix of ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and ground yellow mustard — sweet, tangy, and completely addictive.
Step By Step Directions
- Start by combining the ground ham, ground pork, eggs, graham cracker crumbs, and milk in a large bowl. Mix just until everything comes together — no need to overwork it.
- Roll the mixture into large balls, about three tablespoons each, and arrange them in a baking dish. (You can absolutely make them smaller if you want more of a classic meatball size.)
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and mustard. Spoon the sauce evenly over the ham balls, making sure each one gets a generous coating.
- Bake for one hour, basting occasionally with the sauce as they cook. By the time they’re done, the glaze will be thick, glossy, and bubbling, and your kitchen will smell incredible.
Tips & Easy Variations
- If you’re serving these for a party, make them smaller and stick in toothpicks — they’re perfect appetizer material.
- For dinner, these are fantastic over rice, mashed potatoes, or even buttered egg noodles with extra sauce spooned over the top.
- And if you’re like me and don’t usually reach for ham recipes, this is a great place to start. The glaze balances everything so well that even ham skeptics tend to come around.
How to Make Ham Balls
Ham Balls Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground ham
- 1 ½ pounds ground pork
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 ½ cup ketchup
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ground yellow mustard
Instructions
- Combine the ground ham, pork, eggs, graham cracker crumbs, and milk.
- Roll the ham mixture into large balls, about 3 tablespoons worth, and place in a 9×13" inch casserole dish.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar and mustard. Spoon this mixture evenly over the ham balls.
- Bake at 350℉ for 1 hour, basting the balls occasionally.
Notes
- Size matters: These were made as large ham balls, about 3 tablespoons each, but they can easily be rolled smaller for appetizers. Reduce baking time slightly if making smaller balls.
- Don’t overmix: Mix the meat mixture just until combined to keep the ham balls tender.
- The glaze is key: Spoon the sauce generously over the ham balls and baste occasionally while baking for the best flavor.
- Serving ideas: These are delicious served over rice, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles to soak up the extra sauce.
- Make ahead friendly: Ham balls can be assembled in advance and refrigerated until ready to bake.
- Freezer friendly: Freeze baked or unbaked ham balls in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating or baking.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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More Delicious Ham Recipes
- Ham Fried Rice Recipe
- Ham and Egg Breakfast Sliders
- Ham and Bean Soup Recipe
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe
- See all our easy recipes made with ham!
Tools We Love
- Cast iron pan – Cast iron gives the best sear ever!
- Casserole dish with lid – My favorite casserole dish ever.
Final Thoughts
These ham balls surprised me in the best way. They’re cozy, nostalgic, and way more delicious than they have any right to be. Sweet, tangy, tender, and completely comforting — the kind of recipe that earns a permanent spot in the rotation, even if you think you don’t like ham.
And yes… I absolutely went back for seconds.
Other Amazing Meatball Recipes
- Slow Cooker Meatball Stroganoff Recipe
- Hawaiian Meatballs Recipe
- Meatball Casserole Recipe
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
- See all our delicious easy meatball recipes!
Frequently asked questions
Ham balls are a Midwestern comfort food made with ground ham and pork, baked in a sweet and tangy sauce. They’re similar to sweet and sour meatballs, just with a little more savory depth.
They help bind the mixture and keep the ham balls tender. You don’t taste “graham cracker” at all — they just add moisture and structure.
Yes! You can roll them into regular meatball size for appetizers. Just reduce the baking time slightly and keep an eye on them.
They freeze well, either baked or unbaked. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat gently with extra sauce.
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This looks intriguing, I am going to pick some ham to try this recipe.
Thanks you