Irresistible Sweet and Sour Ham Balls: Your Go-To Make-Ahead Party Appetizer

Prepare a batch of these utterly delightful ham balls in advance, and you’ll have the perfect bite-sized appetizer ready for your next party or family gathering. These tangy-sweet morsels are consistently gobbled up with enthusiasm, leaving guests asking for the recipe. They’re not just food; they’re a memory in the making, promising a burst of flavor in every mouthful. (Jump to the full recipe below.)

As the festive season winds down and the new year approaches, there’s a unique tranquility in the air. The winter sun transforms freshly fallen snow into a dazzling blanket of sparkling crystals, while the glow of the Christmas tree still casts a warm ambiance in the living room. It’s a cherished time when families, draped in new holiday pajamas, sink into comfortable chairs, engrossed in the books Santa so thoughtfully delivered. This period, nestled between the joyous celebrations of Christmas and the exciting anticipation of New Year’s Eve, offers a precious opportunity. It’s a moment for quiet reflection, for counting our many blessings, and for recharging our spirits in preparation for the adventures and opportunities the upcoming year will undoubtedly bring.

For me, this quiet interlude often involves a bit of thoughtful preparation for upcoming festivities. Today, I’ve been happily occupied making a double batch of a beloved family appetizer: Sweet and Sour Ham Balls. These irresistible bites are a true crowd-pleaser, and their make-ahead convenience makes them an absolute lifesaver for busy hosts. Once they’ve cooled completely, I’ll carefully tuck the containers of these savory-sweet gems into the fridge, ready to be pulled out and warmed just in time for our New Year’s Eve celebration. The beauty of this recipe is its versatility; these ham balls freeze equally well. If I had been a tad more organized earlier in the holiday rush, I could be unwrapping my own new books right now, completely relaxed, knowing a container of these delicious ham balls was simply waiting in the freezer to be defrosted and reheated whenever we needed them. This advance preparation truly allows you to savor the moment, rather than being stuck in the kitchen during your own party.

This recipe isn’t just delicious; it’s a wonderfully retro dish that has gracefully stood the test of time and is now poised for a well-deserved comeback. The origins of these ham balls trace back several decades, to my high school days, when my best friend Judy’s mom would serve them at her gatherings. Judy’s father was the commanding officer of the army base nestled just outside our small northern Alberta town, Beaverlodge. Staying at Judy’s house was always a special treat for me. Her mom, Mrs. Slater, had a remarkable knack for hosting what seemed like truly glamorous cocktail parties. Their home, with its elegant decor and sophisticated atmosphere, offered a stark and fascinating contrast to my own upbringing on a bustling, often chaotic, and certainly busy working farm. While our farm home was full of warmth and hearty fare, Judy’s house offered a captivating glimpse into a different, more refined world, and I cherished every visit.

One particular memory stands out vividly. I was at Judy’s for a sleepover the day after her parents had hosted one of their elaborate parties. Naturally, Judy and I, with our teenage appetites, made a beeline for the kitchen. There, among the delectable leftovers, we discovered a treasure trove of her mom’s ham balls. We eagerly scarfed down those little sweet and sour morsels. To my impressionable teenage self, these tiny bites seemed incredibly sophisticated and elegant—completely unlike anything I was accustomed to eating at home. While my mom’s home-cooked, hearty and undeniably delicious German fare is something I deeply appreciate now, my teenage palate then craved novelty and perceived ‘fancy’ foods. I was so smitten that I immediately requested the recipe and hurried home to recreate those perfect, bite-sized appetizers. In our farm household, appetizers were considered the epitome of fancy-schmancy food, a real special occasion treat. My mom was equally impressed, declaring them wonderful, and thus, Mrs. Slater’s Ham Balls quickly earned a regular spot in our family’s “special food” repertoire. When I eventually left home, the recipe came with me, carefully noted in my handwritten cookbook, perpetually titled “Mrs. Slater’s Ham Balls,” and I’ve continued to make them often over the decades.

It’s fascinating, isn’t it, how our individual memories selectively highlight certain experiences, imbuing them with far greater significance than others? About a year ago, I was chatting with my friend Judy and reminisced about her mom’s incredible ham balls, expressing how much our family still adores them. To my surprise, Judy didn’t even remember them! This anecdote truly underscores how personal and powerful food memories can be. What was likely just another dish among many at her mom’s sophisticated parties, a routine part of her household, became, for me and my family, a beloved, unforgettable culinary highlight and a cherished family favorite. It just goes to show that the simplest dishes can sometimes hold the most profound connections and create lasting legacies.

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Kitchen Frau Notes & Expert Tips: Over the years, I’ve fine-tuned Mrs. Slater’s classic recipe just a touch to enhance its flavor and texture. For a subtle kick that truly elevates the tang and sweetness, I’ve added a whisper of cayenne pepper – though rest assured, they are still absolutely delicious without it if you prefer a milder taste. To achieve a perfectly glossy, slightly thickened sauce that clings beautifully to each ham ball, I incorporate a teaspoon of cornstarch. Furthermore, I’ve adjusted the baking temperature slightly higher and extended the baking time. This critical step allows the sauce to reduce beautifully, concentrating its flavors, and encourages the ham balls to develop a wonderfully caramelized exterior, adding an irresistible depth of flavor and texture that makes them truly stand out.

This recipe is also an excellent and resourceful way to utilize leftover ham. Simply give your cooked ham a quick whirl in the food processor until it’s finely chopped, and you’re good to go. The texture will be perfect for mixing into the ham balls.

Don’t have any leftover ham on hand? No problem! I often turn to canned ham for this recipe, and the resulting ham balls are every bit as delicious and satisfying. When using canned ham, you don’t even need to bother with a food processor or grinder; it’s soft enough that you can easily break it apart into small bits with your fingers. It mixes seamlessly with the ground pork, ensuring a consistent and flavorful mixture without any extra fuss.

For the batch featured in these photographs, I used dark brown sugar because that’s what I happened to have in my pantry at the time. Dark brown sugar will lend a slightly richer, deeper caramel color and flavor to your sauce. If you opt for light brown sugar, your sauce will naturally be a little lighter in color and have a slightly milder molasses note, which is equally delicious.

Sweet and Sour Ham Balls Recipe

This timeless recipe yields about 75 delicious 1¼ inch ham balls, perfect for a crowd or to freeze for later enjoyment.

For the Ham Balls:

• 1 lb. (454gms) ground, cooked ham (easily done in a food processor or with a meat grinder)
• 1 lb. (454 grams) ground pork (raw)
• 2 cups (500ml) fine, dry bread crumbs (For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free bread crumbs or a mix of 1 cup crushed gluten-free cereal like rice Chex or Rice Krispies, plus 1 cup rolled oats ground into a coarse meal in a food processor or blender.)
• 1 cup (240ml) milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based milk works well)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a subtle warmth and ‘zip’)

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

• 1½ cups (325gms) brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for a slightly thickened, glossy sauce)
• ¾ cup (180ml) white vinegar
• ¾ cup (180ml) water

Instructions:

1. Begin by combining all the ingredients for the ham balls in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly until well integrated. Allow the mixture to rest for about 10 minutes; this crucial step gives the bread crumbs ample time to absorb the liquid, ensuring perfectly tender and cohesive ham balls.
2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
3. Shape the ham mixture into uniform balls, approximately 1 to 1¼ inches (2.5-3cm) in diameter. Arrange them in a single layer in large, shallow baking dishes, allowing them to touch slightly. I find this recipe fits perfectly into one 9×13-inch pan and one 8×8-inch pan.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until the brown sugar is mostly dissolved and there are no visible lumps of mustard powder or cornstarch. Pour this luscious sweet and sour sauce evenly over the arranged ham balls, ensuring they are well coated.
5. Bake the ham balls, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
6. After 30 minutes, carefully remove the pans from the oven. Using a spoon, gently turn each ham ball over so that the previously exposed tops are now submerged in the simmering sauce. Return the pans to the oven and continue baking for another 30 minutes. This second baking phase allows both sides to caramelize and absorb the delicious sauce.
7. Once baked, transfer the warm ham balls to a shallow serving bowl, drizzle with the remaining sauce from the pan, and serve immediately with festive cocktail picks.

To Freeze for Future Enjoyment:
Allow the cooked ham balls to cool completely to room temperature. Divide them into freezer-safe containers, separating them into smaller, convenient batches if desired. Distribute the savory sauce evenly among the containers. These ham balls can be frozen for up to 3 months. To serve, simply defrost them overnight in the refrigerator and then warm them in the oven or microwave until heated through and bubbling. This makes them an ideal make-ahead option for any occasion!

Guten Appetit!

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