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A close-up of golden-brown ham balls in a black baking dish, coated with a glossy, sticky glaze and garnished with fresh parsley.

Sweet and Savory Glazed Ham Balls

These sweet and savory glazed ham balls are a crowd-pleasing dish that combines tender ground ham with a sticky, caramelized glaze
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Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
5 minutes5 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Servings:8 servings
Course:Dinner
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Ham Balls:
  • 2 lbs ground ham
  • 1.5 cups breadcrumbs plain or seasoned
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Glaze:
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Optional Add-Ins:
  • 1/2 cup crushed pineapple for a tropical twist
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup to replace half the brown sugar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika for a smoky flavor

Method
 

  1. Prep the Oven and Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground ham, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, onion, bell pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
  3. Shape the Ham Balls: Roll the mixture into 1.5-inch balls and place them in the prepared baking dish.
  4. Make the Glaze: In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, water, and Dijon mustard. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  5. Glaze and Bake: Pour the glaze over the ham balls, then bake for 45-50 minutes, basting every 15 minutes to keep them moist and flavorful.
  6. Rest and Serve: Let the ham balls rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley or smoked paprika. Serve warm with your favorite sides.