Description
A comforting and flavorful Mexican soup featuring tender homemade meatballs simmered in a savory tomato broth with vegetables. Perfect for a hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 bay leaf
- Lime wedges and extra cilantro for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, uncooked rice, egg, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined and form into small meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add carrots, potatoes, and zucchini to the pot. Stir and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
- Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes. Add the bay leaf and bring the soup to a gentle boil.
- Carefully add the meatballs to the simmering soup. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 30-35 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and vegetables are tender.
- Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra cilantro if desired.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free beef broth and check spice ingredients.
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep the albondigas light and tender.
- Consider swapping beef for ground turkey or pork.
- For a spicier version, add a minced jalapeño or chipotle chili powder to the meatballs.
- For a vegetarian version, use plant-based ground meat and vegetable broth.
- Add corn, bell peppers, or green beans for more vegetables.
- Chill meatballs for 15 minutes before adding to the soup to help them hold their shape.
- Use fresh herbs like cilantro at the end to brighten flavors.
- Mexican meatball soup tastes even better the next day.
- Brown rice can be used if pre-cooked.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Mexican, Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 calories
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Mexican Meatball Soup, Albondigas, Authentic Albondigas Recipe, Spicy Albondigas Soup, Albondigas de Res Recipe, How to Make Mexican Meatball Soup, Best Albondigas Soup Recipe, Easy Albondigas Recipe, Traditional Mexican Soup with Meatballs, Albondigas Soup Ingredients, Albondigas Recipe with Rice, Hearty Mexican Meatball Stew, Slow Cooker Albondigas Soup, Vegetable Albondigas Soup, Albondigas Soup for Beginners, Mexican Comfort Food Albondigas, Authentic Beef Meatball Soup, Homemade Albondigas Recipe, Albondigas Soup with Mint, Classic Mexican Albondigas