Iowa Ham Balls
Delight your taste buds with classic Iowa Ham Balls, a cherished Midwestern dish that combines savory ground ham and pork with the subtle sweetness of graham cracker crumbs for a unique, tender texture. These flavorful meatballs are baked to perfection in a tangy glaze made with ketchup, brown sugar, white vinegar, and mustard, creating a delectable caramelized finish. With just 20 minutes of prep time and an hour in the oven, this hearty and comforting recipe is perfect for family dinners or holiday gatherings. Serve these ham balls alongside creamy mashed potatoes, crisp green beans, or your favorite side dishes for an irresistible meal that's sure to become a household favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground ham
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 0.75 cup ketchup
- 0.75 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground ham, ground pork, graham cracker crumbs, milk, and the egg. Mix thoroughly using your hands or a wooden spoon until evenly combined.
Shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and place them in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
In a medium-sized bowl, prepare the glaze by whisking together the ketchup, brown sugar, white vinegar, and yellow mustard until smooth and well combined.
Pour the glaze evenly over the ham balls, ensuring they are well coated.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, remove the foil and spoon some of the glaze over the top of the ham balls. Continue baking uncovered for another 30 minutes, or until the ham balls are cooked through and the glaze is bubbly.
Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the ham balls rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve warm with your choice of sides, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or a fresh salad. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
610 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 27.4 g | 35% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.6 g | 48% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 122 mg | 41% | |
| Sodium | 1352 mg | 59% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 61.1 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.2 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 46.3 g | ||
| Protein | 30.0 g | 60% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.0 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 106 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 2.6 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 524 mg | 11% | |
*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.
