Ham Loaf with Brown Sugar Glaze

If you grew up eating ham loaf, you probably have a special memory of it. If you’ve never had it, you may be wondering exactly what a ham loaf is—and this is a delicious recipe to start with.

This Ham Loaf with Brown Sugar Glaze is an old-fashioned comfort food dinner made with ground ham and ground pork, then topped with a sweet and tangy brown sugar glaze. The outside develops a beautiful golden-brown crust while the inside stays moist and tender.

Ham loaf is a recipe I remember my mother making when I was growing up. It was also something I used to buy at our local grocery store when I was first married. They eventually stopped selling it, and we went several years without having it.

It is still served at Amish restaurants and one store in our area, which brought back those memories for me. I decided it was time to try making one from scratch.

My husband loved it, and I was really pleased with how it turned out. It was definitely a keeper.

If you have leftover ham from a holiday meal, this is also a wonderful way to turn it into a completely different dinner.

What Is Ham Loaf?

Ham loaf is similar to a traditional meatloaf, but it is made with a combination of ground cooked ham and ground pork. The ham gives it a delicious savory flavor, while the brown sugar glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness.

The texture is a little lighter than traditional beef meatloaf, and the sweet glaze gives it a flavor that makes it something special.

If ham loaf is new to you, don’t let the name fool you. Think of it as a comforting, old-fashioned meatloaf made with ham.

HOW TO MAKE A HAM LOAF WITH BROWN SUGAR GLAZE:

Ingredients 

You will find the complete ingredient list and measurements in the recipe card below, but here are the main ingredients you’ll need:

• Cooked ham – Cut the ham into cubes before processing it. This is a great recipe for leftover baked ham.
• Ground pork – The combination of ground pork and ham gives the loaf its tender texture.
• Bread crumbs – I make fresh crumbs from bread in the food processor.
• Eggs – Help bind the ingredients together.
• Red and green bell peppers – Add flavor, color, and a little texture.
• Stone-ground mustard – Adds a subtle savory flavor that works especially well with the ham.
• Brown sugar, vinegar, and dry mustard – These ingredients make the sweet and tangy glaze.
• Pineapple and cherries – These classic toppings add a little extra sweetness and make the finished ham loaf especially pretty.

Instructions

1. Cut the cooked ham into cubes and place it in a food processor. Pulse until the ham is finely ground.
2. Place the ground ham and ground pork in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the bread crumbs to the meat mixture along with the eggs, red and green bell peppers, seasonings, and stone-ground mustard.
4. Using clean hands, gently combine the mixture until everything is evenly incorporated. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a parchment-lined baking pan.
5. FOR THE GLAZE: In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, vinegar, and dry mustard. Spread the glaze over the top of the ham loaf.
6. Arrange the pineapple slices and cherries over the top.

7. Bake the ham loaf at 350°F for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the center reaches 160°F. The top should be beautifully browned and the loaf should be cooked through.

Step-By-Step Photos

Begin by placing cooked ham cubes in a food processor, and pulse to obtain a finely ground texture.

Place the ground ham and ground pork in a large mixing bowl.

Add the eggs, red and green bell peppers, seasonings, and
stone ground mustard.

Add bread crumbs.

Combine mixture with hands, and form into a loaf. Place in parchment lined baking pan.

In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, vinegar,
and dry mustard.  Place on top of ham loaf.

Top with pineapple slices and cherries.

Bake Remove from the oven and allow to set  5-10 minutes.
Transfer to a serving platter and cut into slices.

This is delicious served with HOMEMADE  SCALLOPED POTATOES, green beans, and SAM’S HOMEMADE HOT ROLLS.  Also perfect with Sweet Potatoes or mashed potatoes.

Why You’ll Love This Ham Loaf

• It is a delicious way to use leftover ham. Save some of that holiday ham and turn it into another family meal.
• The brown sugar glaze is the perfect finishing touch. The sweet and tangy glaze creates a beautiful crust as the ham loaf bakes.
• It is an old-fashioned comfort food. This is the kind of dinner that brings back memories of family meals.
• It can be prepared ahead of time. Assemble the loaf earlier in the day or the night before, then add the topping and bake when you’re ready.
• It is a great recipe for anyone who has never tried ham loaf. The flavors are familiar and comforting, but it is a little different from traditional meatloaf.

A Few Tips for Making Ham Loaf

• Cut the ham into smaller cubes before placing it in the food processor so it processes evenly.
• Don’t over-process the ham. You want it finely ground without turning it into a paste.
• Mix the ham loaf ingredients gently until combined.
• Let the baked ham loaf rest for several minutes before slicing. This helps the loaf hold together better.
• For food safety, use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the center reaches 160°F.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
YES. I like to prep the ham loaf a few hours, or evening before I will be serving it.  Place the loaf in a baking dish and wrap tightly with Cling Wrap. Refrigerate, add topping and bake as directed.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.  

Can I Use Leftover Ham?
Absolutely. In fact, that is one of the reasons ham loaf has always been such a practical recipe. If you have leftover cooked ham after Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or another family gathering, cut it into cubes and freeze some for later. When you’re ready to make ham loaf, simply thaw the ham and process it as directed.

Ham loaf may not be as familiar today as traditional meatloaf, but I think that is part of its charm. For me, this recipe brings back memories of my mother and the meals she made for our family. 

If you’ve never tried ham loaf before, I hope you’ll give this old-fashioned recipe a try. And if you grew up eating it, maybe it will bring back a few good memories of your own.

This recipe was shared on Weekend Potluck@ Sweet Little Bluebird.

Print Pin

HAM LOAF WITH BROWN SUGAR GLAZE

Sharing this Ham Loaf recipe with you is like sharing an old fashioned, comfort food dinner with you, A Ham Loaf is basically like a meat loaf but is made with ground pork and cooked ham. 

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Ham Loaf, Ham Loaf with Brown Sugar Glaze

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8 slices

Calories 418kcal

Author pamelashank2015

Ingredients

• Ham Loaf:
• 1 lb cooked ham cut in cubes
• 1 lb ground pork
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion chopped
• 1 Tablespoon green bell pepper diced
• 1 Tablespoon red bell pepper diced
• 1 teaspoon stone ground mustard
• 1/2 cup finely crumbled bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• Glaze:
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 3 Tablespoons vinegar may use apple cider or white
• 3-4 slices pineapple
• 3-4 Marciano cherries

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 11 x 7 or 13 x 9 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• Place ham cubes in food processor and pulse until meat is crumbly texture.
• Place ham, ground pork, eggs, salt, pepper, onions, green and red bell peppers, and mustard in a large mixing bowl.
• Pulse 1-2 slices of bread in a food processor to make fine crumbles. Place bread crumbs in a small bowl, and stir in the milk. Add mixture to meat. Combine ingredients well, using your hands, like making a meat loaf. Form into a loaf and place in baking pan.
• In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, dry mustard, and vinegar. Press mixture onto top of ham loaf. Arrange pineapple slices and cherries over the brown sugar.
• Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, allow to set 5-10 minutes.
• Transfer to a serving platter and cut into desired size slices. Serves 4

Notes

NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER. Calorie count provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

HELPFUL TIPS

• This has the appearance of a meatloaf but is a lighter texture and is sweeter. It is a great way to use leftover ham. 
• Ham Loaf is a unique main dish and for many it is a nostalgic one. Others enjoy trying it for the first time.
• This ham loaf can be made ahead of time. I like to prep the ham loaf a few hours, or evening before I will be serving it.  Place the loaf in a baking dish and wrap tightly with Cling Wrap. Refrigerate, add topping and bake as directed.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.