Yummy Recipe for Ham Balls: A Classic Sweet & Savoury Comfort Food
Ham Balls are a must-try if you’re searching for a filling, tasty dish that’s ideal for potlucks, holidays or a warm family meal! Ground ham, pork and a sweet-and-savory glaze combine to create this Midwestern favourite, which is incredibly tasty in every bite.
A special blend of ingredients makes these meatballs juicy, soft, and bursting with flavour. They require less work to prepare because they are baked, not fried.
Now let’s get into the specifics of creating the greatest gammon balls ever!
The Reasons You Will Love This Recipe for Ham Balls
Distinct & Tasty – A blend of flavourful gammon, ground pork with a delightfully tart glaze. Easy to Prepare – Easy ingredients, little preparation and flawless oven-baked results.
✅ Great for Holidays & Gatherings – An ideal meal for potlucks, Easter, or Christmas. ✅ Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing – These sweet and savoury meatballs are a hit with all ages!
Make these ahead of time and bake them when they’re ready.
Ingredients You’ll Need🛒
The following ingredients are needed to produce Ham Balls:
In reference to the gammon balls:
One and a half pounds of ground ham and one pound of ground pork
One cup of bread crumbs (Or crumbled crackers with saltine)
One cup of milk and one beaten egg
Half a teaspoon of salt
One-sixth teaspoon of black pepper
A half-teaspoon of onion powder
The amount of garlic powder is ½ teaspoon.
One teaspoon of Dijon mustard (Optional, for added taste)
To make the Sweet & Tangy Glaze, use one cup of brown sugar.
Half a cup of ketchup
Apple cider vinegar – ¼ cup
One teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
Yellow mustard 1 teaspoon
🔥 Detailed Instructions
First Step: Warm up and get the ingredients ready
- Set the oven’s temperature to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly oil it.
Mix the Ham Balls in Step Two
Ground ham, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, beaten egg, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and Dijon mustard should all be combined in a large mixing bowl.
- Stir everything until thoroughly blended. The mixture should be sufficiently stiff to maintain its shape while still being moist.
The third step is to form the gammon balls.
Roll into 1 ½-inch balls after scooping out approximately 2 tablespoons of the mixture.
- Evenly distribute them, allowing room between each ball, in the baking dish that has been prepared.
Make the Glaze in Step Four
- Put the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, and brown sugar in a small saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until the glaze is slightly thicker and the sugar dissolves.
Bake the gammon balls in step five.
- Evenly cover the gammon balls with the sweet and tangy glaze.
- Bake for 30 minutes after covering with foil.
- After taking off the foil, continue baking uncovered for an additional 15–20 minutes until the gammon balls are cooked through and the glaze has caramelised (the internal temperature should hit 160°F or 71°C).
Step 6: Serve and Savour!
- Before serving, allow the gammon balls to rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve warm, accompanied by your preferred sides.
Top Ham Ball Side Dishes
A wide range of sides go well with gammon balls. Here are a few suggestions:
The acidic glaze is counterbalanced by the creamy and buttery texture of the mashed potatoes.
Green beans, carrots, and Brussels sprouts are examples of roasted vegetables.
✔️ Buttered Noodles – A straightforward, cosy accompaniment.
✔️ Mac & Cheese since who doesn’t enjoy a little more cheese?
Coleslaw – Offers a crisp, new contrast.
🥡 Tips for Storing and Reheating
To Store: – Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in a airtight container.
Place the uncooked gammon balls on a baking sheet and freeze them until they solidify. After that, store them for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe bag.
- Additionally, fully baked gammon balls can be frozen and reheated at a later time.
To Reheat: – Bake at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes or microwave in 30-second intervals until well heated.
Expert Advice for the Greatest Ham Balls
Use Fresh Ground Ham – If you are unable to locate ground ham, grind leftover ham in a food processor.
Avoid Overmixing – If you overmix the meat, the gammon balls will become dense rather than soft.
Modify the Glaze ✔️ Do you want it sweeter? Increase the vinegar. Do you like it sweeter? Increase the amount of brown sugar.
Make Them Mini – Roll out smaller gammon balls and serve them with toothpicks as appetisers.
✔️ Double the Glaze – Prepare an additional batch to pour over the top if you enjoy extra sauce!
1. Is pork necessary to make gammon balls?
Indeed! The texture may alter somewhat if you use ground turkey or chicken instead of the pork.
2. Can I prepare the gammon balls in advance?
Sure! Put these together a day ahead of time, keep them chilled, and bake them when they’re ready.
3. Which type of gammon is best?
Make use of ham that has been fully cooked, such leftover holiday ham. Steer clear of deli ham since it’s overly tender.
4. How can I avoid gluten in this?
Just use crushed rice crackers or gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of conventional breadcrumbs.
5. Is there another glaze I can use?
Indeed! For a distinct twist, some folks like pineapple glaze or honey mustard glaze.
⭐ Concluding Remarks
A delicious, soothing dish that works well for any occasion is gammon balls. Whether you’re making them for a holiday feast, a casual family dinner, or a potluck, these sweet and savory meatballs are bound to be a hit.
Try this dish and let me know what you think! 😊
