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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Dinner

    Ham Balls

    Published: Dec 16, 2020 · Modified: Dec 16, 2020 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Ham Balls are a classic Midwestern meatball recipe. It is even more specific to Iowa and Nebraska. It is an unusual recipe that turns out so incredibly delicious. Ground beef and ground ham are mixed with graham crackers crumbs and formed into meatballs, they are then baked with a tomato brown sugar glaze.

    I grew up in Iowa and this is a recipe that we had often! It is a typical Sunday night family dinner recipe.

    Ham Balls baked in a brown sugar and tomato sauce in a glass baking dish

    Ground Ham for Ham Balls

    Ground ham can be hard to find in the grocery store. Actually I don’t think I have ever seen it in the store, unless you are in Iowa!

    We are talking ground ham here, not ground pork! Ground pork is made from the shoulder (aka. pork butt). The ham is cut from the leg and is dry or wet cured and sometimes smoked. Ham has the distinct flavor that you are looking for in ham balls.

    ham ground in the food processor

    You will want to purchase a 1-1.25 lb. ham steak or bone-in ham steak. Once it is ground you will want it to be the consistency of ground beef. You have a couple options to make ground ham.

    • Grab a ham steak at the grocery store and ask the meat counter to grind it for you.
    • If you have a meat grinder attachment to your stand mixer you can grind the ham steak that way.
    • I prefer to “grind” it in my food processor. Cut the ham steak into 2 inch chunks then pulse the processor about 40-50 times. You will have perfectly ground ham! (see the photo above)

    Graham Cracker Crumbs

    Unless you have had these Ham Balls you are probably thinking that graham cracker crumbs are a really odd choice! Just trust, they add a sweetness to the ham balls that perfectly compliments the salty ham and the tangy vinegar in the sauce.

    If you need to make graham cracker crumbs you can crush a couple plain graham crackers into a fine crumb. Or you can pulse them a few times in your food processor.

    How To Make Ham Balls

    This ham ball recipe is pretty simple, it is just a matter of mixing the ingredients and baking.

    Baked Ham Balls in a glass baking dish

    In a large bowl lightly mix together 1 lb ground beef, 1 lb ground ham, 1 cup graham cracker crumbs, ¾ cup milk, and 1 egg.

    Form large meatballs, about ⅓ cup in size, and place in a 9×13 baking dish. You should have about 12-15 meatballs.

    showing the correct size for a ham ball

    In another bowl mix together 1 can tomato soup, ½ cup white vinegar, 1 cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon dry mustard. Whisk it all together and then pour the sauce over the meatballs.

    pouring the tomato brown sugar sauce over the ham balls

    Place in the oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour, basting the top of the meatballs with the sauce once or twice during cooking.

    Let the meatballs cool for about 5 minutes and then serve with mashed or baked potatoes and veggies.

    a 9x13 baking dish full of Iowa Ham Balls

    Other Meatball Recipes

    If you love meatballs here are a few other recipes to try:

    • Instant Pot BBQ Meatballs
    • Baked Chicken Meatballs
    • Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs
    • Easy Meatball Sub Sandwiches

    Ham Ball Recipe

    Ham Balls baked in a brown sugar and tomato sauce in a glass baking dish

    Ham Balls

    Ham Balls are a classic midwestern meatball recipe. Ground ham and ground beef are mixed together with graham crackers and topped with a tomato brown sugar sauce.
    5 from 20 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 5 people
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Equipment

    • 9×13 baking dish

    Ingredients

    Ham Balls

    • 1 lb ground ham see note about finding and/or making ground ham**
    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs finely ground
    • 1 egg
    • ¾ cup milk

    Sauce

    • 1 10 ¾ oz. can condensed tomato soup
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • ½ cup white vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350°
    • Combine the meatball ingredients. In a large bowl lightly combine the 1 lb ground ham, 1 lb ground beef, 1 cup graham cracker crumbs, ¾ cup milk, and 1 egg.
      Make large meatballs. Form the mixture into large meatballs, about ⅓ cup in size each. Place into a 9×13 baking dish. You will have about 12-15 meatballs.
    • Whisk together the sauce ingredients & pour over meatballs. In another bowl whisk together the can of condensed tomato soup, 1 cup brown sugar, ½ cup white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon dry mustard. Pour the sauce over the meatballs.
    • Bake 1 hour. Bake in the oven, uncovered, for 1 hour, basting the tops of the ham balls with the sauce once or twice during cooking.
    • Cool & eat! Let the meatballs cool for about 5-10 minutes and then serve with mashed or baked potatoes and veggies.

    Notes:

    Ground Ham
    Do not buy ground pork, you want ground ham. This can be hard to find in the store. You can buy a ham steak or bone in ham steak and grind it to the consistency of ground beef. 
    • Have the butcher grind it for you.
    • Use a meat grinder attachment to a stand mixer.
    • Grind in a food processor by cutting the ham steak in 2 inch chunks and pulse the processor 40-50 times. (this is the method that I use)
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

    Originally Published December 2019, Copy Updated and Republished December 2020

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    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dena

      May 02, 2022 at 7:01 am

      5 stars
      I made these meatballs yesterday! I was a bit concerned about what seemed like an odd list of ingredients. We were pleasantly surprised, they were delicious! It was a great way to use up leftover ham.
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Susie Weinrich

        May 02, 2022 at 7:06 am

        I so glad you tried them anyway!! The ingredients are SO bizarre, but they turn out so delicious. Glad you loved them.

        Reply
    2. LJH

      April 06, 2022 at 12:17 pm

      Could you cook in the crock pot? If so, any recommendations on setting and length? I’m assuming I would still pour sauce over top before starting?

      Reply
      • Susie Weinrich

        April 06, 2022 at 1:20 pm

        I think you can definitely cook them in the crock pot. Definitely pour the sauce over the meatballs at the beginning. I would recommend cooking them on high for 3-4 hours. But make sure they are about 160-165 degrees F in the center before serving.

        Reply
        • Barb

          April 16, 2022 at 12:59 pm

          Susie,
          Can the balls be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge?

        • Susie Weinrich

          April 17, 2022 at 8:24 am

          That should work just fine! You may need to add 5 minutes to the cooking time if you are baking right from the fridge.

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