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Hearty Mexican Albondigas Soup Recipe

Hearty Mexican Albondigas Soup Recipe
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Hearty Mexican Albondigas Soup is a comforting and flavorful traditional Mexican meatball soup featuring tender ground beef meatballs, aromatic spices, fresh vegetables, and a vibrant tomato-based broth. Perfect for chilly evenings, this easy-to-prepare soup delivers a wholesome and satisfying meal with authentic flavors and nutritious ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/4 cup cooked white rice
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Soup Base

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup chopped zucchini
  • 1 (14 oz) can crushed or diced tomatoes
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Garnishes (optional)

  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Fresh lime juice
  • Crumbled queso fresco
  • Diced avocado
  • Thinly sliced radishes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and a pinch of cumin. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly distributed without overworking. Shape the mixture into small, golf-ball-sized meatballs and set aside on a plate.
  2. Sauté the Base Vegetables: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic and sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add chopped carrots and zucchini, cooking for another 5 minutes to soften the vegetables.
  3. Build the Broth: Add the crushed canned tomatoes, beef broth, oregano, chili powder, ground cumin, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the pot. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to allow the flavors to meld together.
  4. Cook the Meatballs: Carefully drop the prepared meatballs into the simmering broth one by one, making sure they don’t stick together. Cover the pot and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and tender.
  5. Finish and Garnish: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed. Just before serving, stir in freshly chopped cilantro and parsley to brighten the flavors. Serve hot and enjoy.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to keep meatballs tender.
  • Make meatballs small enough to cook evenly and stay juicy.
  • Simmer the soup gently to keep broth clear and meatballs intact.
  • Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve their bright flavor.
  • Meatballs can be made a day ahead to save time.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mexican albondigas soup, meatball soup, hearty soup, traditional Mexican recipe, comforting soup, easy Mexican soup

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/hearty-mexican-albondigas-soup-recipe/