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Authentic Mexican Albondigas Soup Recipe

Close-up of a white bowl filled with flavorful albondigas soup, featuring meatballs, carrots, potatoes, and rice.
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Make this hearty and flavorful Albondigas Soup, featuring tender homemade meatballs and a rich vegetable broth. This traditional Mexican Meatball Soup is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
  • 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion (for meatballs)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion (for soup base)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 small zucchini, diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the meatballs: In a medium bowl, combine the ground meat, rice, 1/4 cup onion, egg, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined; do not overmix.
  2. Form the mixture into small, uniform meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. You should have about 18-20 meatballs.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the meatballs lightly on all sides. You may need to do this in batches. Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside.
  4. In the same pot, add the 1/2 cup onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced tomatoes. Bring the liquid to a simmer.
  6. Carefully add the browned meatballs, carrots, and potatoes to the simmering broth. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
  7. Add the diced zucchini and continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 10-15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the vegetables are tender.
  8. Taste the broth and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  9. Serve the Albondigas Soup hot, garnished generously with fresh cilantro.

Notes

  • For extra flavor in your meatballs, add 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh mint along with the other meatball ingredients.
  • If you want a richer broth, use beef broth instead of chicken broth.
  • To keep this recipe low-carb, omit the rice in the meatballs and substitute with 1 tablespoon of almond flour or skip the binder entirely.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://seventhflavour.com/albondigas-soup-authentic-mexican-meatball-soup/