Best 3 Albondigas Authentic Mexican Style Meatball Soup Recipes

Albondigas, a traditional Mexican meatball soup, is a delightful symphony of flavors and textures. This hearty and comforting dish features tender meatballs crafted from a blend of ground beef and pork, simmered in a rich and flavorful broth. The meatballs are infused with a medley of aromatic herbs and spices, including cumin, oregano, and garlic, creating a tantalizing aroma that fills the air. Served piping hot, this classic Mexican soup is often accompanied by an array of garnishes, such as chopped cilantro, diced avocado, and crumbled queso fresco, adding freshness and a vibrant pop of color to each bowl. Albondigas is a versatile dish that can be tailored to suit personal preferences, with variations including the addition of vegetables, different types of meat, or adjusting the level of spice. This article provides a collection of authentic Mexican-style meatball soup recipes, each with its unique blend of ingredients and flavors, offering a culinary journey through the diverse regional variations of this beloved dish.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

MEXICAN MEATBALL SOUP

Mexican Meatball Soup image

There are several ways to make a Mexican meatball soup, and this is one of the simplest recipes that I've found that my family absolutely loves. These Mexican Meatballs are cooked in a tomato broth flavored with cilantro & mint. A delicious and elegant dish that's perfect for a nice dinner.

Provided by Mely Martínez

Categories Beef Soups

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 Lb. tomato
¼ medium white onion
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 cups of chicken broth*
½ cup chopped cilantro
Salt to taste
1 Lb. ground beef
1 slice of bread
¼ cup milk
1 large egg (beaten.)
1 garlic clove (chopped (or 1/3-teaspoon garlic powder))
6 peppercorns or (½ teaspoon of ground pepper)
Salt to taste

Steps:

Place the tomatoes, onion, and garlic on a hot griddle to roast. Turn ccasionally to have an even roasting (about 5-7 minutes). Once roasted, place in your blender and process until you have a smooth sauce. If your tomatoes aren't juicy and your blender is having a hard time blending, add ¼ cup of water.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large saucepan at medium high heat. Once it is hot, gently pour in the sauce and cook for about 5 minutes and then add the chicken broth. Keep cooking. When it starts boiling, reduce the heat to simmer. While the sauce is cooking we will start forming the meatballs.
To from the meatballs: In a small bowl, soak the bread with the milk until it is softened, about 1 minute.
Place meat in a large bowl and make a well in the center.
Grind garlic clove and peppercorns in your molcajete (the flavors won't be able to compare if you use the dried form, but they'll still work fine). Once ground, add it to the meat, as well as the bread soaked in milk and the beaten egg. Season with salt.
Gently mix with your hands or a wooden spoon. Do not over-mix or your meatballs will be hard. Next, form the small balls (the size of a golf ball) with your hands, without forcing or putting too much pressure on the meat, and carefully drop them into the simmering tomato broth. Keep making the meatballs, repeating this process. Once all of the meatballs are in the broth, cook for another 15 to 20 minutes. 5 minutes before they're done, add the chopped cilantro and season with salt. In this step, add any extra vegetables you want in your soup to cook along with the meatballs.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1.5 cup, Calories 266 kcal, Carbohydrate 7 g, Protein 16 g, Fat 19 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Cholesterol 81 mg, Sodium 667 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 3 g

MAMA'S OLD-FASHIONED ALBONDIGAS (MEATBALL SOUP)

Mama's Old-Fashioned Albondigas (Meatball Soup) image

This is my number-one soup recipe, perfect for a cold rainy day, handed down to me by my mother. I hope you all enjoy it as much as my family has.

Provided by SpiceUpYourLife

Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Beef Soup Recipes

Time 1h25m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 25

Ingredients

1 gallon water
3 cups tomato sauce
1 yellow onion, quartered
4 tablespoons chicken bouillon (such as Knorr®)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dried oregano
3 pounds lean ground beef
3 eggs
½ cup tomato sauce
¼ cup uncooked white rice
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon seasoned salt (such as Season-All®)
1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
10 small baby potatoes
5 large carrots, sliced diagonally
5 stalks celery, sliced diagonally
2 zucchini, chopped
2 cups thickly shredded green cabbage
1 lemon, sliced into wedges
2 avocados, chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

Pour water into a large stockpot over high heat. Stir in 3 cups tomato sauce, yellow onion, chicken bouillon, garlic, and 1 tablespoon dried oregano. Bring broth to a slow boil.
Combine ground beef, eggs, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, white rice, 1/4 cup cilantro, seasoned salt, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and cumin in a large bowl. Squeeze mixture with your hands until thoroughly mixed.
Scoop 1/4 cup of beef mixture and form in a ball. Lower gently into boiling broth. Repeat with remaining beef mixture.
Stir potatoes, carrots, and celery into the broth. Cover and simmer until meatballs and potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in zucchini and cabbage. Cover and simmer until cabbage is tender, about 10 minutes.
Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice and garnish with avocado and 1/4 cup cilantro.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 368.6 calories, Carbohydrate 29.5 g, Cholesterol 127.8 mg, Fat 15.3 g, Fiber 5.5 g, Protein 29.2 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 1125.3 mg, Sugar 7.2 g

SOPA DE ALBóNDIGAS (MEXICAN MEATBALL SOUP)

Sopa de Albóndigas (Mexican Meatball Soup) image

Ask 10 people for a recipe for a particular dish, and you'll probably get 10 different recipes. Mexican sopa de albóndigas is no exception. Most variations are likely to involve vegetables, rice, a tomato-based broth and, inevitably, meatballs. Wesley Avila, the chef of Guerrilla Tacos in Los Angeles, learned this recipe from his mother, who learned it from her grandmother. His meatballs are hefty in size but light in density, and follow his family's tradition of adding uncooked white rice to the pork-beef mixture before shaping it into balls and cooking: "My mom always told me that when the rice is done, the soup is ready," Mr. Avila said. "She used it almost as a timer." The toppings - piled on as you would atop chili - skew cheffy, but they are entirely optional.

Provided by Alexa Weibel

Categories dinner, soups and stews, main course

Time 2h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 26

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1/2 cup uncooked long-grain rice
1/3 cup chopped fresh mint
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
4 medium carrots, peeled and cut on an angle into 1/2-inch slices
3 medium celery stalks, peeled and cut on an angle into 1/2-inch slices
1 large red potato, cut into 1-inch cubes
Kosher salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons dried oregano, preferably Mexican
2 teaspoons ground cumin
8 cups chicken stock (2 quarts)
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
Crumbled queso fresco, panela or cotija
2 avocados, halved lengthwise, pitted and thinly sliced crosswise or diced
Mini sweet peppers, thinly sliced into rounds
Serrano and habanero chiles, very thinly sliced
Small fresh cilantro sprigs or chopped fresh cilantro
Lime wedges, for squeezing

Steps:

Prepare the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the beef, pork, rice, mint, garlic, salt and pepper. Using your hands, gently mix until well combined. Pinch off 2-ounce portions and gently roll between your palms to form golf ball-size rounds, transferring rounds to a sheet pan. (You should have about 28 meatballs.)
In large pot, combine the olive oil, onion, carrots, celery and potato; season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste, garlic, bay leaves, oregano and cumin, and cook over medium, stirring frequently, until fragrant and tomato paste starts to caramelize, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and tomato sauce and bring to a simmer over high.
Once the stock begins to bubble, reduce the heat to medium-low. Carefully add the meatballs, one by one, distributing them evenly in the pot until they're all submerged. If necessary, reduce the heat to reach a low simmer (this will keep the meatballs tender), and cook until the meatballs and rice are cooked through, about 40 minutes. (Resist the urge to stir for the first 20 minutes, otherwise you risk breaking the meatballs apart before they've firmed up.) Skim any impurities from the surface as the soup simmers.
Season to taste with salt. Divide the soup among bowls, about four or five meatballs per portion, and set out bowls of whatever garnishes you like.

Tips:

Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The better the quality of your ingredients, the better your soup will be. Choose fresh, ripe tomatoes, flavorful ground beef, and a variety of fresh herbs.
Don't overcook the meatballs: The meatballs should be cooked through, but not overcooked, or they will become tough. Cook them just until they are no longer pink in the center.
Use a good quality broth: The broth is the base of the soup, so it's important to use a good quality one. You can use homemade broth, or a store-bought broth that is low in sodium.
Add vegetables: Vegetables add flavor, texture, and nutrients to the soup. Add your favorite vegetables, such as carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes.
Season to taste: Season the soup with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add a squeeze of lime juice or a dollop of sour cream to brighten the flavors.

Conclusion:

Albondigas soup is a delicious, hearty, and flavorful soup that is perfect for a cold day. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own preferences. So next time you're looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, give albondigas soup a try.