Glazed ham loaf is a fantastic way to repurpose your leftover holiday ham into a new and flavorful dish. You can easily grind the ham using a meat grinder or a food processor, ensuring a smooth texture that enhances the savory blend of taste and makes it enjoyable for the whole family.
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🧅 The Ingredients
The ingredients for glazed ham loaf include ground ham and pork, along with traditional meatloaf components like breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings, resulting in a moist and delicious loaf bursting with flavor. Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and variations) below.
🍶 Substitutions and Variations
- Ham – We use a combination of ground ham and ground pork for this loaf. We use our meat grinder to grind the ham, but you could also grind it in a food processor, working in batches. If you don’t have leftover ham, then purchase a smoked ham, or even a couple of ham steaks from the supermarket, and it will still be delicious!
- Breadcrumbs – These help to bind the loaf and absorb liquid from the pork. We use Panko breadcrumbs, but any variety will work, even finely ground bread.
- Dairy – Half and half can be substituted for the milk. We don’t recommend heavy cream (it’s too thick).
- Flavor enhancers – Go with your favorite herbs. We recommend fresh, but you can easily substitute dried; just use half the amount than what is called for fresh. Chopped onion adds a depth of flavor, but is not overpowering at all. You can substitute 1 tablespoon of onion powder.
🌡️ 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.
- Digital thermometer – This critical kitchen tool will ensure your ham loaf reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Silicon mat – Or parchment paper. This makes clean-up much, much easier.
See the recipe card (with video) below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
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.
How To Make Glazed Ham Loaf
- Step 1: Grind leftover ham through a meat grinder or in a food processor.
- Step 2: Add all of the ham loaf ingredients into a large bowl.
- Step 3: Press the ham mixture into a greased loaf pan.
- Step 4: Invert the pan to release the meatloaf onto a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes.
- Step 5: Boil the brown sugar, vinegar, and Dijon in a saucepan and then simmer for a few minutes.
- Step 6: Bake for another 45 minutes, basting every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and baste again.
Expert Tip
It’s important to spray (or grease with softened butter) the inside of the loaf pan 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 sliced ham loaf.
🙋🏽♂️ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Form the loaf into the loaf pan and wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Yes! Ground turkey works wonderfully. We recommend keeping the ground pork for additional moisture. Ground beef and pork are traditional and delicious.
Yes! It freezes wonderfully. Wrap in foil or butcher’s paper and freeze for 2 to 3 months. Allow to thaw before reheating (or baking).
😋What to Serve with a Ham Loaf
Ready to turn 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
Video
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 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon thyme fresh, chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 tablespoon parsley fresh, chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Glaze
- 1½ cups brown sugar dark or light
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon 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 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon thyme, 1 tablespoon parsley, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, ½ teaspoon 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 tablespoon 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.
Michelle says
This ham loaf was another “Griffen Approved” recipe! Can we just take a moment to appreciate the glaze. The glaze was amazing or aglazing. It was wonderful. I also made a sweet gravy with it. Talk about good!!! The Griffen wants this added to our frequently eaten meals list. Thank you for the step by step directions on YouTube!
Kris Longwell says
Yay!! Griffen for the “Win!!” We are so so happy you made the ham loaf with the sauce and loved it!!! You guys are the BEST!!!! Sweet gravy sounds heavenly!! As always..thank you so much for sharing and for the awesome review!! Keep on cookin’!!!!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
weatherlyadult says
I’ll make it!!!!
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Kris Longwell says
Awesome! Let us know if you do and what you think! We love it so much!