I decided to make some hand formed meat balls from pork for the first time yesterday. Let me make it clear i did not do anything fancy at all. all i did was mix some italian sausage seasoing with 10lbs of ground pork then I hand formed them into balls (which I believer are a bit too big). I trayed them up 8 balls in a 10s tray and 5 trays. I sold only 2 packages before leaving today. I am not confident I did it right. the balls are probably 1.5 inches in diameter..too me I think they are a little big. Also I think there is a little more to making a meatball than just seasoning and forming it. basically i just have italian sauage balls is that all a meat ball really is? What do you folks do? how big should they be? I want to try this again and I want to make sure I am doing it right . We are getting alot of pork that we need to work out some how and someone told me meat balls will sell well.
fdarn- , hey at least you tried it-so kudos to that, but a couple observations- the first is, what is the average package retail? if this is a new item-some folks are trying it for the first time, so it's easier to take a first time risk at under 5.00 ring than over 5.00 (in these parts) if you put a less amount is a 2 black tray- and make them smaller, so it's perceived as more-they may sell better
bravo for trying!!!!!
you could make a sign- "Free bird-ball" with every purchase of meatballs!!
we make them on the first of the month but we have a mold we use, nice round balls. as mainemeatman said, you tried, give it another try or two, try 4,6, 8 in a pack. Have you tried meatloaf with some of your pork trim, or a beef & pork sausage 70/30, what about just ground pork for burgers. you have a deli in your store where you could make their pork sausage patties.maybe some pork stew meat, cube pork, pork & pepper stirfly
I think your mix is right on. Pork is pretty much the cheapest now, so it's the smartest to work with. Make sure your weight is 0.08-0.10 for each ball on your Hobart. You'll need to weigh every one. If you do this and maximize your merchandising you will come out ahead. Make sure your price takes into account your labor in making them. I'd imagine $5.99-6.99/lb will cover it (I know it sounds high). You can probably command even higher margin levels if you price by each. You can probably cushion your margin if you get a solid clientele on those sales.
thank you. that is good information there and that is what i am going to shoot for next time.. maybe even tomorrow. everything from trying smaller trays with smaller amounnts to the weigh of each ball are things that make it all come clear. I am just glad i got the mixture right i was afraid you were all going to say i should have mixed it with ketchup and egg or something like that. ..one thing though I was thinking about chopping up some green peppers and mixing that with the pork. what do all think?
is this better? did this today. of the ones I did friday i sold all but 2 packs. I took the last two packs and smashed them down and sold them as patties then tried this. Deithyrian I think you are right I want to make my meatballs winners. I want people addicted to them. I am a real amatuer with seasoning and spices. if anyone has any cool spice combinations for meatballs that your customers just love please feel free to share I promise your secret recipe will be safe here
-- Edited by fdarn on Sunday 29th of January 2012 05:32:45 PM
Remember that a meatball is not unlike a pizza - you start with a blank slate of ingredients and then just have fun :) From what it sounds like, you made a pork sausage meatball. While this can be tasty - I would suggest you get creative with spices and stay clear of boring. Anyone can make a standard meatball at home - they'll pay for yours if they blow their taste buds away :)
When I made them at my old store I always kept them the same size (for my hands it was a 4 finger grab into my palm tightly, then rolled) - and threw in seasonings until it smelled right. I always used beef, but having pork or beef/pork meatballs is always tasty! For presentation, I arranged them in a 4D - either 2x4 or 3x4 depending on who rolled them. As long as your package is under ten bucks most people won't even take price into account. It's only when they see 4 digits that they start thinkin :)
