Ham balls are a food I’d never heard of until I moved to North Iowa. Growing up in Minneapolis-St. Paul, we rarely ate pork. It never appeared on our school lunch menus, except in the form of Mr. Ribs, and we missed out on pork burgers at picnics. My friend Val of Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids introduced me to my first ham ball at a blogger potluck.
After looking at some recipes, I created my own version with a spicy cranberry fruit glaze and called them “Iowan ham balls.” My friend Katie was like, “Oh no, those may be good ham balls, but those are not quite Iowan ham balls.” She even left her family’s recipe in case you want to try them.
If you think I’ve been talking about ham balls a lot, you’re right. When something piques my curiosity, I tend to pursue more information about the subject with tenacity. Remember my obsession with learning about the Lincoln family after visiting Springfield, Illinois last summer? My friend observed that I was dedicated to the subject of ham balls, to which my genuine answer was, “I must understand them.”
Friends continue to suggest their favorite family recipes as well as local stores from which to purchase ready-made ham balls. I stopped by Louie’s Custom Meats and Fareway in Clear Lake, Iowa to try two popular versions. These balls are pre-cooked and available to purchase by the pound.
Fareway, $4.99/lb: I’ve received so many suggestions to try Fareway’s ham balls. Each ball is larger than a golf ball. The meat’s grind is finer and the sauce is sweeter with a maple note.
Louie’s, $3.99/lb: These ham balls are the size of typical meat balls with a courser grind. Their flavor is smokier and the sauce is slightly less sweet.
I’m not quite done investigating ham balls. Val has graciously accepted my plea to learn how to make real Iowan ham balls and invited me into her kitchen later this month. There will be a blog post and video to document our adventure. In the meantime, here’s a silly little video explaining my quest to understand ham balls.
Ham balls. Ham balls come fully cooked, so all you need to do is warm through prior to serving. FarewayMeatMarket.com experts’ favorite way to prepare the famous ham balls is to smother them in barbeque sauce and keep warm in a crockpot on low.
These 4 oz. hamballs are made with the perfect blend of ground pork, ham and bacon. Just add your favorite barbeque sauce to these flavorful meatballs and enjoy this Midwest treasure.
I have searched high and low for a recipe for ham loaf that tastes like my grandma used to make. When I tried Fareway Hamballs, I was immediately taken back to grandmas farm. From then on, I have purchased Fareway Hamballs and sent them to all my relatives for the holidays. -Jane L., Indianola, IA Make It A Meal!
If you think I’ve been talking about ham balls a lot, you’re right. When something piques my curiosity, I tend to pursue more information about the subject with tenacity. Remember my obsession with learning about the Lincoln family after visiting Springfield, Illinois last summer? My friend observed that I was dedicated to the subject of ham balls, to which my genuine answer was, “I must understand them.”
Fareway, $4.99/lb: I’ve received so many suggestions to try Fareway’s ham balls. Each ball is larger than a golf ball. The meat’s grind is finer and the sauce is sweeter with a maple note.
Ham balls are a food I’d never heard of until I moved to North Iowa. Growing up in Minneapolis-St. Paul, we rarely ate pork. It never appeared on our school lunch menus, except in the form of Mr. Ribs, and we missed out on pork burgers at picnics. My friend Val of Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids introduced me to my first ham ball at a blogger potluck.
Louie’s, $3.99/lb: These ham balls are the size of typical meat balls with a courser grind. Their flavor is smokier and the sauce is slightly less sweet.
Friends continue to suggest their favorite family recipes as well as local stores from which to purchase ready-made ham balls. I stopped by Louie’s Custom Meats and Fareway in Clear Lake, Iowa to try two popular versions. These balls are pre-cooked and available to purchase by the pound.
How to Reheat a Fully Cooked Spiral Ham | Step by Step
FAQ
Are fareway ham balls precooked?
How many calories are in a ham ball from fareway?
Are fareway smoked pork chops fully cooked?
How do you make Ham balls?
In a medium bowl soak bread in milk for about 5 minutes. Stir in eggs. Add meat and mix together. Shape meat mixture into balls and place in a greased 9×13 inch pan. In a bowl mix together glaze ingredients. Pour glaze over ham balls. Bake at 350 degrees for 2 hours. Baste occasionally with sauce. I like to use a big scoop to make the balls.
How long do you cook Ham balls at 350?
Lay ham balls on a large cookie sheet and bake for 25 minutes at 350°F, turning once halfway through. Place ham balls into a greased 9×13 casserole dish. Mix together the tomato soup, vinegar, brown sugar, and mustard. Pour sauce over ham balls. Bake for another 30-35 minutes at 350°F. Ham Balls are a classic Midwest potluck dish.
How do you make Ham balls with a brown sugar glaze?
Ham Balls With a Brown Sugar Glaze is a family favorite recipe that can be made with leftover ham. In a medium bowl soak bread in milk for about 5 minutes. Stir in eggs. Add meat and mix together. Shape into balls and place in a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. In a bowl mix together glaze ingredients. Pour sauce over ham balls.
How do you cook Ham balls in a crock pot?
These Ham balls, topped with your favorite BBQ sauce, make a great addition to any meal! In a large bowl, combine the four ingredients, mix well. Shape mix into 2 inch balls, place in a shallow roasting pan. Top with your favorite BBQ sauce. Bake at 325°F for 1 hour. Internal temperature should be 165°.