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January 22, 2026These Midwest-style Ham Balls are a tender, nostalgic, and comforting meatball recipe made with ground ham, pork, and a sweet-tangy glaze. They are perfect for holidays, potlucks, or easy weeknight dinners.
This Ham Ball recipe lives in that sweet spot between “classic comfort food” and “wow, why don’t we make these more often?”
Ham Balls are one of those recipes that feel like they’ve always just…been there, written in the margins of a worn church cookbook, carried from one family gathering to the next, and pulled out whenever something warm and familiar is needed.
This version keeps that spirit intact with the classic mix of ground ham, pork, and a simple glaze that bakes into that hallmark savory-sweet finish. They’re tender, lightly caramelized, and endlessly comforting—the kind of dish that reminds you why some recipes stay put generation after generation.
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Ingredients
- Chopped ham loaf
- Ground pork
- Bacon
- Cracker crumbs – club crackers add a hint of butter to the recipe
- Onion
- Eggs
- Milk
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Vinegar
- Dijon mustard
Recipe Tips
- Don’t have a cookie scoop? Try using a 1/4 measuring cup to scoop evenly.
- Having trouble finding Chopped Ham Loaf? Make your own by grinding ham steak.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheets for easier clean-up.
How do I make Ham Balls?
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2: Shred the ham loaf using a food processor or box grater. Pour into a large bowl.
Step 3: Add ground pork, chopped bacon, cracker crumbs, onion, eggs and milk. Gently stir, until combined.
Step 4: Form into balls using a 1/4 cup cookie scoop. Place on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easier clean up. Bake for 45 minutes.
Step 5: In a medium bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Stir well.
Step 6: Spoon sauce over each ham ball to glaze and place pan back into the oven for 15 minutes or until internal temperature of the ham balls is 160 degrees F.
Step 7: Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Is chopped ham loaf the same as ground ham?
Chopped ham loaf is a mixture of ham and seasonings that are finely ground and formed into a loaf. For this recipe, you can replace the ham loaf with ground ham or ham steaks processed in a food processor using the pulse setting.
How finely should the ham be ground?
We recommend using a food processor to grind the ham loaf because it is quick and produces consistent results. You can also use a box grater or cheese grater.
How big should the ham balls be?
Using a 1/4 cup cookie scoop helps shape the ham balls evenly and prevents them from drying out during baking. If you don’t have a scoop, use a 1/4-cup measuring cup to portion the ham balls into the same size.
Can you make ham balls as an appetizer?
Yes! Use a smaller cookie scoop to make slightly smaller balls. Arrange cooked ham balls on a platter with toothpicks for convenient serving.
More Pork Meatball Recipes
Meatballs are always a hit and simple to prepare. Along with the beloved Midwest Classic Ham Balls, we have a few more delicious pork meatball recipes to inspire your next meal. If you love easy meatballs like this, try our easy Air Fryer Pork Meatballs or Asian Pork Meatballs. We also love these Stick Pork Meatballs.
Ham Balls
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chopped ham loaf shredded
- 1 lb. ground pork
- 4 slices bacon chopped fine
- 2 cups cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup onion chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ⅛ cup vinegar
- 1 Tbps. dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Shred the ham loaf using a food processor or box grater. Pour into a large bowl.2 lbs. chopped ham loaf
- Add ground pork, chopped bacon, cracker crumbs, onion, eggs and milk. Gently stir, just until combined.1 lb. ground pork, 4 slices bacon, 2 cups cracker crumbs, ¼ cup onion, 2 large eggs, 1 cup milk
- Form into balls using a ¼ cup cookie scoop or measuring cup. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Stir well.1 cup ketchup, ¾ cup brown sugar, ⅛ cup vinegar, 1 Tbps. dijon mustard
- Spoon sauce over each ham ball to glaze and place back in the oven for 15 minutes or until internal temperature is 160 degrees F
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
