Ham Balls Recipe
Overview:
Prepare your taste buds for a delightful journey with these tantalizing Ham Balls! Bursting with flavors of sweet and sour, these meaty delights are perfect for either a main course or as appetizers, guaranteeing to satisfy even the most discerning palates. Plus, they freeze and reheat beautifully, making them a convenient choice for meal prep or entertaining. Let’s dive into the recipe and discover the magic!
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 36 ham balls
- Calories: 135.2 per serving
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (based on 4 reviews)
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 lbs ground pork
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup graham crackers, crushed
- 1 1/2 tbsp vinegar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp dry mustard
Instructions:
-
Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish lightly to prevent sticking.
-
Mix Meat Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground pork, ground beef, eggs, milk, crushed graham crackers, and vinegar.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
-
Form Balls:
- With clean hands, shape the meat mixture into small balls of uniform size, ensuring they hold together well.
-
Prepare Sauce:
- In a saucepan, combine brown sugar and dry mustard.
- Pour in the vinegar and mix well.
- Cook the sauce over low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved, and the mixture achieves a smooth consistency.
-
Assemble and Bake:
- Place the formed meatballs evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the prepared sauce generously over the ham balls, ensuring each one is coated evenly.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes to 1 hour, or until the ham balls are cooked through and the sauce caramelizes slightly.
- Be cautious not to overbake, as the goal is to retain moisture for a tender and juicy texture.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Once cooked to perfection, remove the ham balls from the oven.
- Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
- Garnish with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper for an extra burst of flavor.
- Serve these delectable ham balls as a savory main dish alongside your favorite sides, or offer them as delightful appetizers at your next gathering.
Tips:
- For added convenience, you can prepare the meat mixture and shape the balls ahead of time, storing them covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Experiment with different types of ground meat for unique flavor profiles, such as turkey or chicken.
- Serve leftover ham balls sliced and tucked into sandwiches for a delicious lunch option.
- To freeze, place cooled ham balls in an airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
With their irresistible combination of sweet and sour flavors, these Ham Balls are sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire. Whether enjoyed as a hearty main course or passed around as finger-licking appetizers, they’re guaranteed to leave everyone craving for more. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and let’s embark on a culinary adventure that’s bound to delight!