About
The Hawkeye State has a love of pork that extends even to their meatballs, and the tasty result is a ball of a time! Iowa Ham Balls combine ham and pork together for maximum savory flavor (with just a hint of onion) before baking them in a tangy, sweet, and sour sauce that resembles a homemade barbeque. One trip in the oven later and you have tender spheres of meaty flavor in a deep, sparkling glaze ready to adorn mounds of rice or egg noodles. Iowa Ham Balls are livening up the dinner table, whether you live in Iowa or not!
Ingredients
- For the ham balls:
- 2 pounds leftover ham, ground in a meat grinder or food processor until fine but not a pâté
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup dried minced onion
- For the sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried mustard
Directions
Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 -Combine the ground ham, the ground pork, the beaten eggs, the graham cracker crumbs, the milk, and the minced onion in a large bowl, combining them gently but thoroughly with your clean hands.
Step 3 -Shape the ham mixture into large balls using a large cookie scoop or 1/3-cup measuring cup.
Step 4 -Arrange the ham balls in a single layer on a large 9x13-inch baking dish.
Step 5 -Bake for 45 minutes.
Step 6 -In a medium bowl, whisk the ketchup, the brown sugar, the cider vinegar, and the dried mustard.
Step 7 -Pour the sauce mixture over the ham balls.
Step 8 -Bake until the meatballs are cooked through at 145 degrees F minimum and the glaze is hot, for about 15 minutes.
Step 9 -Serve!
