The Complete Guide to Freezing Ham Balls for Quick and Easy Meals

Ham balls are a classic comfort food that never seem to go out of style. Made from ground ham mixed with breadcrumbs eggs and spices, these tasty meatballs are simple to whip up. While ham balls are often served hot and fresh, did you know that freezing cooked ham balls is an easy way to enjoy this dish anytime?

Freezing ham balls allows you to:

• Prep large batches to have on hand for quick meals
• Avoid waste by storing leftovers longer term
• Save money by buying ham in bulk when on sale
• Reduce prep time by thawing and heating vs. making from scratch

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about successfully freezing cooked ham balls for maximum flavor and convenience,

Choosing the Best Ham for Freezing

For moist ham balls that hold up well during freezing, choose:

• Fresh ham or uncured ham rather than smoked ham
• Ground or finely chopped ham; avoid ham slices or chunks
• Ham with some fat content for flavor and texture
• Precooked ham to skip an extra cooking step before freezing

Avoid very lean ham or ham pieces that are too large, as these tend to dry out during freezing. High-quality uncured ham ground into a fine texture provides the best results.

Seasonings and Mix-ins for Freezing

Along with ground ham, most recipes include:

• Breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs to bind and absorb moisture
• Eggs or egg yolks to bind
• Minced onion for flavor, moisture and texture
• Grated parmesan for richness and binding

Avoid adding too much fresh garlic, herbs or vegetables before freezing, as these can change texture and flavor. Instead, add them after thawing.

Forming Uniform Ham Balls for Freezing

Create same-sized portions for even cooking results:

• Use a cookie scoop or melon baller for consistency
• Lightly pack scoops of ham mixture and roll into balls
• Arrange in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet
• Freeze until firm, about 1 hour, before transferring to bags

Portioning into individual servings makes it easy to pull out just what you need from the freezer.

Cooking Guidelines Before Freezing

Fully cooking ham balls before freezing gives the best results:

• Bake at 400°F or simmer in sauce until cooked through, 10-15 minutes
• Test internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure 165°F
• Avoid undercooking, as ham balls do not continue cooking when frozen
• Chilling in fridge before freezing sets structure and prevents sticking

Partially cooked ham balls can dry out or fall apart when thawed. Cook through for better texture.

How to Freeze Ham Balls for Long-Term Storage

Follow these simple steps for properly freezing cooked ham balls:

• Let cool completely after cooking to prevent moisture condensation
• Place in single layer on tray to freeze initially until solid, about 1 hour
• Transfer frozen ham balls to resealable freezer bags
• Remove as much air as possible and seal bags
• Label bags with contents and date frozen
• Lay bags flat to freeze and store in freezer at 0°F or below

Frozen ham balls stored properly will keep for 2-3 months before quality declines.

Thawing Ham Balls Safely

Always thaw frozen ham balls in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 8 hours. Do not thaw at room temperature.

To thaw quickly, place sealed bag of ham balls in a bowl of cold water, changing water every 30 minutes until thawed. Cook immediately after thawing.

Microwaving ham balls may lead to uneven heating. It’s best to thaw slowly then reheat gently on the stove or in the oven.

Serving and Reheating Frozen Ham Balls

Frozen ham balls are versatile for all kinds of quick meals and appetizers after reheating:

• Heat thawed ham balls in simmering sauce, broth or gravy for 15-20 minutes
• Bake in a hot oven at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through
• Sauté thawed ham balls in olive oil over medium high heat for 5-7 minutes
• Skewer and grill thawed ham balls, basting with barbecue sauce
• Add to soups, fried rice or pasta dishes to heat through

Internal temperature should reach 165°F. Do not re-freeze ham balls after thawing.

Freezer Meal Ideas Using Ham Balls

Ham balls are handy to have on hand in the freezer. Incorporate into dishes like:

• Ham ball soup – Drop ham balls into simmering chicken or veggie soup.

• Breakfast skillet – Heat ham balls with eggs, potatoes and veggies for a protein-packed morning meal.

• Ham ball subs – Pile warm ham balls onto hoagie rolls with melted cheese and condiments.

• Ham ball pasta – Toss cooked ham balls with hot pasta and your favorite sauce or pesto.

• Ham balls and rice – For an easy one-pot meal, mix ham balls into cooked rice along with peas and Parmesan.

With a batch of frozen ham balls ready to reheat, you can put together meals in minutes.

Troubleshooting Freezer Burned Ham Balls

Freezer burn appears as dry, dull patches on frozen ham caused by air exposure. It can make ham balls dry, chewy and less flavorful when cooked from frozen. Prevent it by:

• Wrapping ham balls tightly in multiple layers of plastic wrap or foil before freezing
• Using high-quality freezer bags and removing excess air
• Maintaining a consistent 0°F freezer temperature

If ham balls do get freezer burned spots, trim off affected areas before reheating and use them in soups or casseroles where the texture won’t be as noticeable.

Storing Cooked vs. Raw Ham Balls

For food safety, fully cooked ham balls can be frozen longer than raw:

• Cooked ham balls last 2-3 months in the freezer
• Raw ham balls only last 1-2 months frozen
• Eat fully cooked ham balls within 3-4 days after thawing

Always thaw raw ham balls and cook them immediately before serving. Do not refreeze raw ham after thawing.

Enjoy the Convenience of Frozen Ham Balls

Freezing cooked ham balls is an easy shortcut to keep a hearty, protein-packed dish on hand for busy weeknights or impromptu parties. With proper cooking, storage methods and reheating, you can enjoy tender ham balls with freshly homemade taste anytime.

The next time you find a good sale on ham, stock up and turn it into a batch of freezer-friendly ham balls. Your future self will thank you when a craving for comfort food hits!