Apricot Glazed Ham Balls: Your New Favorite Sweet and Savory Appetizer

Prepare to be charmed by these delightful Apricot Glazed Ham Balls! A true retro classic, these savory meatballs expertly blend ground ham and ground pork, then get coated in an irresistible sweet and subtly spicy apricot glaze. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing party appetizer or a comforting main dish, this recipe is guaranteed to become a cherished addition to your culinary repertoire.

Searching for an appetizer that’s both impressive and stress-free? Look no further than these fantastic Apricot Glazed Ham Balls. They are not only incredibly delicious but also a dream for entertaining, as they can be prepared a day or two in advance and simply baked and glazed just before serving. Imagine the compliments you’ll receive while effortlessly hosting your next gathering!

Why You’ll Love These Apricot Glazed Ham Balls

This recipe brings together the best of both worlds: a savory, tender meatball base and a vibrant, fruit-infused glaze that hits all the right notes. The combination of salty ham with sweet apricot is a match made in culinary heaven, creating a flavor profile that’s both familiar and exciting. It’s a testament to classic comfort food, updated with a touch of modern flair.

Beyond their incredible taste, these ham balls are remarkably versatile. Serve them warm as a sophisticated appetizer for holiday parties, game-day gatherings, or any special occasion. They also transform beautifully into a hearty main course when served alongside your favorite sides. The make-ahead friendly nature of this dish truly sets it apart, allowing you to enjoy your guests without being tethered to the kitchen.

Transforming Leftover Ham into a Feast

Apricot Glazed Ham Balls offer an excellent solution for repurposing leftover ham, especially after big celebrations like Easter or Christmas. Instead of simply reheating slices, you can give your ham a new, exciting life. For this recipe, you’ll need one pound of finely diced or ground ham, which pairs perfectly with one pound of ground pork to create the ideal texture and flavor balance. If you’re starting with pre-cooked leftover ham, approximately two cups of finely diced ham will be just right.

To achieve the desired fine texture, you have a couple of options. You can easily pulse your leftover ham in a food processor until it’s finely chopped. This method is quick and ensures an even consistency, allowing the ham to blend seamlessly into the meatballs. Alternatively, a sharp knife and a bit of patience will also do the trick to finely mince the ham. If you don’t have leftover ham, don’t worry! You can purchase pre-ground ham or ask your butcher to grind a small ham steak or a piece of ham roast for you.

Crafting the Perfect Meatball Base

The secret to these tender and flavorful ham balls lies in their well-balanced mixture. The ground ham and pork are combined with a selection of classic ingredients that bind and season them beautifully. Crushed Saltine crackers, soaked in milk, provide essential moisture and act as a binder, preventing the meatballs from becoming too dense. Ketchup adds a hint of sweetness and tang, while minced onion introduces a subtle aromatic depth. A large, lightly beaten egg further helps to hold everything together, ensuring each meatball maintains its shape during baking. Finally, a simple seasoning of salt and pepper enhances all the natural flavors.

Once all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, gently shape the mixture into uniform meatballs. Aim for about two dozen meatballs from this recipe, ensuring they are roughly the same size for even cooking. Place these neatly in a lightly greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each one to allow for proper airflow. Bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 30 minutes. At this stage, the meatballs will be cooked through and can either be glazed immediately or cooled and stored for later use.

The Irresistible Sweet and Tangy Apricot Glaze

What truly elevates these ham balls is their incredible apricot glaze. This simple yet flavor-packed sauce requires only a handful of ingredients, making it quick and easy to prepare. You’ll start with a jar of apricot preserves, which provides the foundational fruity sweetness. To this, you’ll add ketchup for a savory-sweet depth, apple cider vinegar for a bright, tangy kick, Worcestershire sauce for umami complexity, and Dijon mustard for a touch of sharp, sophisticated flavor. For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes can be added to create a delightful sweet and spicy contrast.

Combine all the glaze ingredients in a large skillet and bring them to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the preserves have melted and the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. Once your meatballs are baked, add them directly to the simmering glaze. Allow them to simmer in the sauce for about 3 to 4 minutes, turning them frequently to ensure every meatball is thoroughly coated in the luscious, glistening glaze. This final step infuses the ham balls with layers of apricot goodness, creating a truly unforgettable bite.

Make-Ahead and Freezing for Future Feasts

One of the best features of this recipe is its incredible make-ahead potential. The raw meatball mixture can be prepared and shaped a day in advance, covered, and refrigerated until you’re ready to bake. After baking, the ham balls can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days before glazing. This flexibility makes them an ideal choice for busy hosts or meal prepping.

For longer storage, both unglazed and glazed ham balls freeze beautifully.
If freezing unglazed, bake them fully, let them cool completely, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before glazing and reheating.
If freezing glazed, ensure they are fully coated and cooled. Store them in an airtight container, preferably with extra glaze, for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the glaze.

Serving Suggestions and Flavor Variations

These versatile Apricot Glazed Ham Balls can be served in a multitude of ways. For an easy appetizer, simply arrange them on a platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing. They are also fantastic served over a bed of fluffy white rice, egg noodles, or creamy mashed potatoes for a satisfying and complete meal. The rich glaze pairs wonderfully with these starchy accompaniments, creating a comforting and flavorful dinner.

While apricot preserves are a classic choice, feel free to experiment with other fruit preserves to customize the glaze to your liking. Peach preserves make an excellent substitute, offering a similar sweet and tangy profile with a slightly different fruity nuance. For a bolder flavor, consider using orange marmalade or even a spicy mango chutney. Don’t be afraid to adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to suit your preference for heat – from a mild hint to a more fiery kick.

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More Delicious Ham Recipes to Explore

If you find yourself with extra ham or simply can’t get enough of its delicious flavor, here are more fantastic recipes that utilize ham in creative and comforting ways. From hearty casseroles to savory pies, these dishes are perfect for any occasion:

• Ham Pot Pie
• Bourbon and Coke Glazed Ham
• Ham Lasagna
• Cheesy Ham and Potato Chowder
• Ham and Pimento Cheese Pinwheels
• Ranch Noodles with Ham
• Ham and Asparagus Casserole
• Broccoli and Ham Jiffy Cornbread

Apricot Glazed Ham Balls Recipe

Rated 5 out of 5 stars from 1 vote

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 50 mins

Servings: 8

These savory meatballs combine ground ham and pork, coated in a delicious sweet and spicy apricot glaze. A retro recipe, sure to be a party favorite.

Ingredients

For the Ham Balls:

• 1/2 cup crushed Saltine crackers
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pound ground ham or finely diced ham
• 1 pound ground pork

For the Apricot Glaze:

• 1 (18-ounce) jar apricot preserves
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

Instructions

• In a large bowl, combine crushed Saltine crackers and milk. Let the mixture sit for 2 minutes to soften the crackers.
• Add ketchup, minced onion, beaten egg, salt, pepper, ground ham, and ground pork to the bowl. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
• Shape the mixture into 24 equally sized meatballs. Place the meatballs in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned.
• While the meatballs are baking, prepare the glaze: Combine all glaze ingredients (apricot preserves, water, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and crushed red pepper flakes) in a large skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until well combined and slightly thickened.
• Once the meatballs are baked, add them to the skillet with the simmering glaze. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, spooning the glaze over the meatballs occasionally to ensure they are fully coated and heated through.
• Serve warm as an appetizer or main course over rice or noodles.

Nutrition

Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 1074mg | Potassium: 300mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 261IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.