The Best Albondigas Soup Recipe: A Cozy Mexican Meatball Delight

Crafting authentic albondigas soup brings memories of cozy kitchen moments with my abuela.

Meatballs dance delicately in a rich, aromatic broth that warms your soul from the first spoonful.

Mexican culinary traditions shine through every carefully seasoned bite of this comforting dish.

Generations have perfected these tender meat spheres, blending herbs and spices with remarkable precision.

Hearty vegetables complement the savory meatballs, creating a balanced and satisfying meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Tender beef mingles with rice, creating soft, flavorful spheres that melt in your mouth.

Fall in love with this classic recipe that promises to transport you straight to the heart of mexico.

Why Albondigas Soup Is Hearty, Meaty, And Comforting

• Create Satisfying Comfort Food: Dive into a hearty soup packed with tender meatballs, fresh vegetables, and rich flavors that warm you from the inside out.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: Learn how to perfectly form meatballs and create a delicious broth with basic ingredients and straightforward cooking steps.
• Nutrition in One Pot: Enjoy a balanced meal featuring protein-rich meat, nutritious vegetables, and filling rice, all simmered together in a single delightful pot.
• Crowd-Pleasing Family Dinner: Serve a versatile dish that appeals to both kids and adults, making mealtime easy and enjoyable for everyone around the table.

Ingredients You Need For Albondigas Soup Magic

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: Provide the base and rich flavor for the hearty meatballs.
• Eggs: Help bind the meat mixture together and add moisture.

• Salt, Pepper, Cumin: Create a well-balanced and aromatic flavor profile for the meatballs.

• Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and adds a subtle richness to the soup.
• Onions, Garlic: Offer a foundational aromatic base with deep, savory notes.
• Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Contribute a tangy and slightly sweet undertone to the broth.
• Chicken Broth: Serves as the liquid foundation for the soup, adding depth and complexity.

• Carrots, Zucchini: Provide additional texture, nutrition, and freshness to the soup.
• Rice: Adds substance and helps thicken the soup while creating a more filling meal.

• Cilantro: Offers a bright, fresh finish and enhances the overall flavor of the soup.

How To Make Albondigas Soup Step By Step

Step 1: Mixing Meat Magic

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine ground beef, ground pork, eggs, salt, pepper, and cumin. Gently blend the ingredients until they’re perfectly mixed. Be careful not to overwork the meat, as this can make the meatballs tough.

Step 2: Shaping Meatball Masterpieces

Roll the meat mixture between your palms, creating small, uniform meatballs about the size of a golf ball. The goal is to make bite-sized spheres that will cook evenly and look appetizing.

Step 3: Sautéing Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Toss in chopped onions and minced garlic, sizzling them until they become fragrant and turn a beautiful golden translucent color, which takes about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Building Flavor Foundation

• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Chicken broth

Stir everything together and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, creating a rich, flavorful base for the soup.

Step 5: Introducing Meatballs

Carefully drop the prepared meatballs into the simmering broth. Make sure they’re fully submerged in the liquid. Let them cook for 10 minutes, allowing them to absorb the delicious flavors.

Step 6: Adding Vegetable Goodness

• Diced carrots
• Chopped zucchini
• Rice

Continue simmering for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the rice becomes tender and the meatballs are completely cooked through.

Step 7: Final Touches and Serving

Give the soup a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove from heat and sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro on top. Serve piping hot and enjoy this comforting Mexican-inspired soup that’s sure to warm hearts and satisfy hunger.

Tips For Juicy Meatballs In Albondigas Soup

• Meat Mixing Mastery: Gently combine ingredients to avoid tough meatballs, using light hand movements for a tender texture.
• Rice Cooking Precision: Add rice near the end to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect al dente consistency.
• Broth Boost: Use homemade chicken broth for deeper, richer flavor that elevates the entire soup's taste profile.
• Low-Sodium Option: Swap regular broth with reduced-sodium version and control salt levels by seasoning gradually while tasting.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace regular rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative that keeps the soup's authentic Mexican essence.

Flavorful Twists On Classic Albondigas Soup

• Spicy Mexican Albondigas: Add diced jalapeños and chipotle peppers to the meatball mixture for a fiery kick. Include extra chili powder in the broth to enhance the heat and depth of flavor.
• Mediterranean-Style Albondigas: Replace ground pork with lamb and incorporate oregano, mint, and feta cheese into the meatballs. Use vegetable broth and add olives and spinach for a Mediterranean touch.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Version: Substitute rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs in the meatball mixture and ensure all broth ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Hearty Vegetarian Alternative: Create meatballs using lentils, black beans, and mushrooms as protein base.

What To Serve With Albondigas Soup For Full Comfort

• Pair with Mexican Lager: Crisp, light Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo Especial perfectly complements the rich, hearty flavors of albondigas soup, cutting through the meaty broth with refreshing brightness.
• Serve with Warm Corn Tortillas: Soft, freshly heated corn tortillas provide an ideal accompaniment, helping to soak up the delicious broth and adding a traditional Mexican touch to the meal.
• Match with Zesty Margarita: A classic margarita with fresh lime juice balances the soup's savory profile, offering a tangy and slightly spicy counterpoint that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Complement with Spanish Red Wine: A medium-bodied Tempranillo from Spain brings robust, earthy notes that harmonize beautifully with the soup's meat and vegetable components, creating a sophisticated pairing.

How To Store Albondigas Soup The Right Way

• Store leftover Albondigas Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal flavor.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, ensuring meatballs and vegetables remain intact and tasty when thawed.
• Gently warm refrigerated or thawed soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup appears too thick, maintaining its original consistency and rich flavor.
• Consider storing meatballs and broth separately to prevent rice from becoming mushy.

Albondigas Soup FAQs You’ll Want Nearby

• What are albondigas?

Albondigas are traditional Mexican meatballs typically made with a mixture of ground beef and pork, seasoned with spices like cumin, and served in a flavorful broth-based soup.

• Is this soup nutritious?

Yes, this soup is packed with protein from the meatballs and vegetables like carrots and zucchini, making it a balanced and wholesome meal with essential nutrients.

• Can I make albondigas soup spicy?

Absolutely! You can add diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a dash of hot sauce to increase the heat and give the soup an extra kick of spiciness.

• Are these meatballs gluten-free?

The basic recipe can be gluten-free if you use gluten-free breadcrumbs or omit them.

Albondigas Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 50-55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mexican albondigas soup weaves comfort and tradition into a hearty culinary experience. Tender meatballs swim alongside fresh vegetables in a rich broth, inviting you to savor each spoonful of home-cooked warmth.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 2 eggs

Vegetables:

• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup zucchini, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/4 cup rice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, eggs, salt, pepper, and cumin. Gently mix until well incorporated, being careful not to overwork the meat.
2. Form small, uniform meatballs by rolling the meat mixture between your palms, creating bite-sized spheres approximately 1-inch in diameter.
3. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir to combine and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
5. Carefully drop the prepared meatballs into the simmering broth, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cook for 10 minutes.
6. Introduce diced carrots, chopped zucchini, and rice to the pot. Continue simmering for an additional 15-20 minutes until rice is tender and meatballs are cooked through.
7. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving hot.

Notes

• Choose lean ground beef and pork to reduce fat content while maintaining rich flavor profile.
• Roll meatballs gently with wet hands to prevent sticking and ensure smooth, compact texture.
• Avoid overmixing meat mixture to keep meatballs tender and prevent tough, dense results.
• Allow meatballs to simmer slowly for maximum tenderness and deeper flavor absorption.
• Swap white rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice for lower-carb, gluten-free alternative.
• Add extra vegetables like spinach or kale for increased nutritional value and vibrant color.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt intake without compromising taste.
• Freeze leftover soup in airtight containers for quick, convenient meals up to 3 months.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg