Dilly Ham Balls(Yields 6 Servings)
Dilly Ham Balls are savory, tender bites flavored with fresh dill, green onions, and ham, perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests with a creamy, comforting sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground fully cooked ham ⓘ
- 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs ⓘ
- 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill or 3 teaspoons dried dill ⓘ
- 1/4 cup milk ⓘ
- 1 egg ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 to 2 tablespoons butter or margarine ⓘ
- 1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 1 cup sour cream ⓘ
- hot cooked noodles ⓘ
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine ground ham, bread crumbs, chopped green onions, 1 tablespoon fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill, milk, beaten egg, Dijon mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Mix well.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls.
- In a skillet, melt 1 to 2 tablespoons butter or margarine and add 1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil.
- Brown the ham balls in the skillet until evenly cooked and golden.
- Remove the ham balls and set aside.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour into the skillet drippings and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually add 1 cup water, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in 1 cup sour cream and heat through without boiling.
- Serve the ham balls with hot cooked noodles topped with the creamy dill sauce.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider mixing in some grated cheese or chopped herbs with the ham mixture. If you don’t have fresh dill, dried dill works perfectly as a substitute. To ensure even cooking, make sure the ham balls are uniformly sized. Serve with a side of Whipped Potatoes for a hearty meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Dilly Ham Balls over hot cooked noodles and generously ladle the creamy dill sauce on top. Pair with a fresh green salad for a complete meal. For a festive touch, these can also be served alongside Pretty Christmas Cookies for dessert.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover ham balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until heated through, adding a splash of water to keep them moist.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Dilly Ham Balls(Yields 6 Servings) contains roughly 732 calories, with 9g protein, 61g carbohydrates, and 51g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (50% of the Daily Value), iron (35% of the Daily Value), and calcium (29% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. It also contributes 3g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these ham balls ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the ham ball mixture and shape them a day in advance. Store them in the refrigerator and cook them when you're ready to serve. This saves time and allows the flavors to meld.
What can I use instead of ham?
If you're looking for a vegetarian option, consider using a plant-based ground meat substitute or finely chopped mushrooms combined with beans. Adjust seasonings accordingly to maintain flavor.
Can I freeze the ham balls?
Absolutely! You can freeze the cooked ham balls in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to an airtight container once frozen. They can be reheated directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to cooking time.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).