If you have leftover ham, you must make this recipe! It is the ultimate comfort food.
There are so many ham sandwiches you can enjoy from your leftover over-holiday ham. A meat grinder works perfectly, but you could also chop the ham in your food processor, or even just dice the meat with a sharp knife. The end result takes your everyday meatloaf to culinary heights!
How To Make Glazed Ham Loaf
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The Tools and Ingredients You Will Need
This is not a complicated recipe at all. You just need to get your ham ground nicely, and then everything else comes together easily.
The Tools You Will Need
Meat grinder – If you don’t have a meat grinder, you can grind the ham (in batches) in your food processor. You could also ask your local butcher if he/she could grind it for you. Or, just dice the ham with a large, sharp knife.
Loaf pan – A 1 lb. pan works perfectly. Non-stick is great. No matter what, just be sure to grease the pan liberally before adding the loaf mixture.
Silicon mat – Or parchment paper. This makes clean-up much, much easier.
Large knife – For slicing the loaf.
The Ingredients You Will Need
Ground ham – Use leftover ham, purchased ham, or even a ham steak from the supermarket.
Pork – Ground. Found in the meat department of most supermarkets. For a delicious twist, you could go with a tube of breakfast sausage in place of the ground pork.
Onion – Finely chopped.
Breadcrumbs – We use unseasoned Panko, but fresh breadcrumbs or regular store-bought Italian breadcrumbs will work, too.
Tomato sauce – This is better than ketchup. The consistency helps keep the loaf tender and juicy.
Milk – Whole milk is recommended. 2% will work, too.
Eggs – Whole.
Worcestershire sauce – Can substitute soy sauce (but you’ll need to reduce your salt to 1/2 tsp).
Herbs – Fresh is best. We go with thyme and parsley, chopped.
Parmesan cheese – Grated.
Seasonings – Salt and pepper.
Brown sugar – Light or dark.
Vinegar – We recommend apple cider vinegar.
Mustard – Dijon is what we use, but whole grain, spicy, or even just plain yellow will work, too.
EXPERT TIP: We find that your clean hands are the best tools for mixing the ingredients for the loaf. Be sure everything is fully combined before adding to the loaf pan. Be sure to wash your hands immediately after mixing the ingredients.
Tips for Making the Best Glazed Ham Loaf
Use a Blend of Meats – For a flavorful and moist ham loaf, combine ground ham with ground pork (or beef). This mixture enhances the taste and texture, creating a more balanced and delicious loaf.
Incorporate Flavorful Add-Ins – Go with your favorites, such as finely chopped onions, garlic, and breadcrumbs. They add moisture and depth of flavor to the loaf. Tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and fresh herbs significantly elevate the flavor profile.
Don’t Forget the Glaze – The glaze complements the loaf perfectly. Brush the glaze over the ham loaf during the last 15-20 minutes of baking to create a caramelized, sticky coating that enhances both flavor and presentation. Be sure to save plenty to pass at the table.
Monitor the Temperature – Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham loaf is cooked to the proper internal temperature of 160°F (70°C) to 165°F. This ensures that the loaf is fully cooked while remaining juicy and tender, avoiding overcooking that can lead to dryness.
EXPERT TIP: It’s important to spray (or grease with softened butter) the inside of the loaf pans before adding the loaf mixture. Once you invert the pan, you will need to whack the top a few times with the handle of a wooden spoon. If the loaf is stubborn, bang the inverted pan a few times to help release it. You can also just form the loaf on the baking sheet with your hands.
How To Serve
You’ll need to let the loaf rest for at least 15 minutes after it comes out of the oven. If you slice into it too early, it might fall apart on you.
This is pure comfort food and is begging for classic sides such as best mashed potatoes and Southern-style green beans.
And, remember, you’ll want to save plenty of the glaze to serve at the table. It’s wonderful drizzled over the top of the slice ham loaf.
What to Serve with a Ham Loaf
We already mentioned that our favorite two sides to serve with this ham loaf are mashed potatoes and Southern-style green beans. But, any of the following would be perfect side dishes, too:
- Ultimate Mac ‘n Cheese
- Best Smashed Potatoes
- Potatoes au Gratin
- Broccoli, Cheddar, and Rice Casserole
- Maple Glazed Carrots
- Creamy Cauliflower Gratin
- Braised Green Beans with Tomatoes
- Gourmet Green Bean Casserole
- Southern Baked Beans
- Country White Bread
No matter how you plate this dish, it is the definition of comfort food. And leftovers are just as good, if not better. Talk about an amazing meatloaf sandwich!
There is so much to love about this nostalgic ham loaf. You don’t see it much anymore, we are determined to change that!
We love a standard meatloaf, without a doubt, but when you dig into this juicy and flavorful ham loaf, you may never want it any other way.
And, did we mention that glaze? It all comes together to make one of the most satisfying meals we’ve prepared in some time. It’s really that good!
Ready to turn that leftover ham into one of the most delicious meals of all time? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!
Glazed Ham Loaf
Equipment
- 1 loaf pan
- 1 Baking sheet lined with a silicon mat or parchment paper
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1½ lbs ham ground
- 1 lb pork ground
- 1 medium onion chopped, about 1 cup
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp thyme fresh, chopped, or 1 tsp dried
- 1 tbsp parsley fresh, chopped, or 1 tsp dried
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Glaze
- 1½ cups brown sugar dark or light
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Liberally spray your loaf pan with cooking spray. Line a baking sheet with a silicon mat or parchment paper (this makes clean-up much easier).Cooking spray
- Add all of the loaf ingredients into a large bowl and use your clean hands (or a couple of wooden spatulas) to mix everything until fully combined.1½ lbs ham, 1 lb pork, 1 medium onion, 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs, ½ cup tomato sauce, ¼ cup whole milk, 2 large eggs, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp thyme, 1 tbsp parsley, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp Kosher salt, ½ tsp black pepper
- Pack the meat mixture into the prepared pan. Invert the pan onto the baking sheet and use the end of a handle on a wooden spatula or spoon to bang the bottom of the pan (this will help free the loaf from the pan). If the loaf is not coming out of the pan, give the pan a few sturdy "bangs" onto the pan. It will eventually come out, keep at it.
- Bake the loaf for 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add the brown sugar, vinegar, and mustard into a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and gently simmer for about 3 minutes. Set aside.1½ cups brown sugar, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- After 45 minutes of baking, you'll need to bake it for another 30 to 45 minutes, applying the glaze around every 15 minutes. The internal temperature should be 160°F to 165°F. Remove the ham from the oven and add another layer of glaze. Pour the remaining glaze into a vessel to serve at the table with the loaf. Let the ham rest for 15 to 30 minutes before slicing.
- Slice and serve with extra glaze on the side.
