Make the perfect appetizer or dinner with these easy ham balls. With a mix of ground ham, pork, seasonings, garlic, and onion, they’re packed with flavor.
Ham balls are a classic Midwest party dish. We enjoy serving them as a party appetizer, especially over summer gatherings.
While many are baked in a creamy sweet sauce, we go a little different and bake them without the sauce. We just use a glaze. You still get all the flavor you expect from the ham ball appetizers, just without the extra saucy mess.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Notes
- Ground ham & pork – The combination of the two makes these ham balls pop.
- Dijon Mustard & Apple Cider Vinegar – These two, along with some brown sugar, makes the glaze that’s brushed on the meatballs.
- Bread crumbs, milk, egg – The traditional meatball ingredients that will help hold the mixture together.
- Garlic & Onion – Sauteed with some butter.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How To Make Ham and Pork Meatballs
See below for a full list of ingredients and detailed instructions.
- Preheat the oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Heat the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until tender.
- Remove the pan from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
- Combine the onions and garlic with the ground ham, pork, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, and black pepper in a large bowl. Work the ingredients together with your hands until they’re well combined.
- Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to form the meat mixture into balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet.
- Place the meatballs in the oven to bake for 20 minutes.
- Combine the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
- Brush the glaze over the top of the meatballs and return them to the oven to bake for another 10 minutes.
- Allow the meatballs to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Substitutions & Variations
- Ground ham can be hard to find depending on where you are. If you can’t find it, you can get ham steak or a bone in ham and grind it yourself in a food processer. Most butchers can also do this for you if you’re not comfortable doing it on your own.
- While the glaze gives the easy ham balls extra flavor, you can leave it out if you want.
Storing & Reheating
- Store: You can store the ham balls in the fridge for 4-5 days in an airtight container or Ziplock bag.
- Freeze: Uncooked meatballs: Make the meatballs, place them on the baking sheet, cover with saran wrap, and put them in the freezer. Once they are solid you can transfer them into a freezer bag and store them for up to 2 months in the freezer. Do not add the glaze to them until you are ready to bake. Cooked Meatballs: Once baked, let the meatballs cool down and then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Reheat when you’re ready.
- Reheat: Reheat the ham balls in the microwave, on the stove, or in the oven. If frozen, put them in the fridge to thaw and then bake them. You can add a splash of water when reheating them on the stove or cover them with a wet paper towel in the microwave.
FAQs
Do I have to sauté the garlic and onion?
Yes, sautéing the garlic and onions until they are soft and translucent will help them blend into the meat and give it more flavor.
How much minced garlic can I use instead of garlic cloves?
A garlic clove is equal to about a 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. For this recipe you will want 2 teaspoons of minced garlic.
How many ham balls does this recipe make?
This ham ball recipe makes 36 meatballs.
What To Serve With These Easy Ham Balls
Ham balls can be enjoyed on their own as an appetizer. They pair well with other appetizer selections and can be served with a dipping sauce of your choice.
You can also enjoy the easy ham balls with pasta or a side salad.
Easy Ham Balls Recipe
Make the perfect appetizer or dinner with these easy ham balls. With a mix of ground ham, pork, seasonings, garlic, and onion, they’re packed with flavor.
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Servings: 36 ham balls
Calories: 83kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups finely ground ham
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 egg
- 2/3 cups breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Heat the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until tender.
- Remove the pan from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
- Combine the onions and garlic with the ground ham, pork, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, and black pepper in a large bowl. Work the ingredients together with your hands until they’re well combined.
- Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to form the meat mixture into balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet.
- Place the meatballs in the oven to bake for 20 minutes.
- Combine the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
- Brush the glaze over the top of the meatballs and return them to the oven to bake for another 10 minutes.
- Allow the meatballs to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Ground ham can be hard to find depending on where you are. If you can’t find it, you can get ham steak or a bone in ham and grind it yourself in a food processer. Most butchers can also do this for you if you’re not comfortable doing it on your own.
- While the glaze gives the easy ham balls extra flavor, you can leave it out if you want.
- Store: You can store the ham balls in the fridge for 4-5 days in an airtight container or Ziplock bag.
- Freeze: Uncooked meatballs: Make the meatballs, place them on the baking sheet, cover with saran wrap, and put them in the freezer. Once they are solid you can transfer them into a freezer bag and store them for up to 2 months in the freezer. Do not add the glaze to them until you are ready to bake. Cooked Meatballs: Once baked, let the meatballs cool down and then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Reheat when you’re ready.
- Reheat: Reheat the ham balls in the microwave, on the stove, or in the oven. If frozen, put them in the fridge to thaw and then bake them. You can add a splash of water when reheating them on the stove or cover them with a wet paper towel in the microwave.
Nutrition
Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 87mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 23IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. For best results, calculate these on your own.
