Ham Balls in Pineapple Sauce
Sweet meets savory in this delightful recipe for Ham Balls in Pineapple Sauce, a crowd-pleasing dish that's perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or potluck parties. Tender, juicy ham balls made with a blend of ground ham, ground pork, and graham cracker crumbs are baked to perfection and smothered in a tangy pineapple sauce that combines brown sugar, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce. The sauce thickens to a glossy finish, coating each ham ball with irresistible sweet-and-sour flavor. Topped with golden baked pineapple slices for a tropical flair, this dish is as visually appealing as it is delicious. Pair it with fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables for an unforgettable meal that’s sure to become a favorite. Ready in just over an hour, this recipe is your new go-to for both special occasions and weeknight dinners.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground ham
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 0.5 cup milk
- 0.5 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pineapple juice (from canned pineapple slices)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 4 pieces pineapple slices
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground ham, ground pork, egg, graham cracker crumbs, and milk. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls and place them in the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
Bake the ham balls in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
While the ham balls are baking, prepare the pineapple sauce. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the brown sugar, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Gradually add the slurry to the saucepan while stirring to thicken the sauce. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until glossy and slightly thickened.
Remove the ham balls from the oven and pour the prepared pineapple sauce over them, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, basting the ham balls with the sauce every 10 minutes.
In the final 10 minutes of baking, arrange the pineapple slices on top of the ham balls for a decorative touch.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve the ham balls hot, spooned with extra sauce from the baking dish. Enjoy with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3304 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 151.4 g | 194% | |
| Saturated Fat | 52.9 g | 264% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 888 mg | 296% | |
| Sodium | 7209 mg | 313% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 262.8 g | 96% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.1 g | 29% | |
| Total Sugars | 174.5 g | ||
| Protein | 214.1 g | 428% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.7 mcg | 13% | |
| Calcium | 539 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 13.5 mg | 75% | |
| Potassium | 2441 mg | 52% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
