ClockPlayEmailInstagramLinkSMSTwitterYouTubeWhatsAppXSearchClockRight ArrowArrow DownCaret downCaret upCaret leftCaret rightHamburger MenuPop OutThumbs upThumbs up buySpeechAudio onReplayPlusMinusSad smiley faceNo resultsSwapMoreYour grocery bagSuccessShop Tasty MerchYour Cart (empty)Your CartFacebookPinterestEmailPrintSmsTwitterWhatsappCommentTips Highlights
Skip to Content
CuisineNorth AmericanMexicanSoupsMeat LoafHigh-FiberLow-SugarHigh-ProteinUnder 1 HourSpecial OccasionOne-Pot or PanMeal PrepBig BatchStove TopDutch OvenWinterFallWeeknightLunchDinnerLow-CarbHealthyComfort Food

Albondigas (Mexican Meatball Soup)

featured in So You Made Too Much Rice? We've Got You

Albondigas is a traditional Mexican soup of beef and turkey meatballs simmered in a fragrant tomato and chicken broth. Filled with vegetables and spices, it’s hearty and delicious. Don’t forget the toppings! Sliced avocado, shaved radishes, cilantro, crumbled queso fresco, and serrano peppers add even more flavor and texture.

Aleya Zenieris, Amanda Berrill & Karla T. Vasquez
Tasty Team
86% would make again
Total Time

1 hr 15 min

1 hr 15 min

Prep Time

10 minutes

10 min

Cook Time

1 hr 5 min

1 hr 5 min

Albondigas (Mexican Meatball Soup)
Total Time

1 hr 15 min

1 hr 15 min

Prep Time

10 minutes

10 min

Cook Time

1 hr 5 min

1 hr 5 min

Ingredients

for 8 servings

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef (425 g)
  • 1 lb ground turkey (425 g)
  • ½ cup long grain rice (100 g)
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Mccormick® ground cumin
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro (10 g), finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil

Soup

  • 1 cup white onion (150 g), medium, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon oregano, (preferably Mexican oregano)
  • ½ teaspoon Mccormick® ground cumin
  • 1 dried ancho chile
  • 2 large carrots
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped in 1/2 in(1.24 cm)
  • ¼ lb red potato (105 g), chopped into ½-inch (1.24 cm) pieces
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 2 cans diced tomato
  • 4 cups unsalted chicken stock (960 mL)
  • lime juice, to taste

For Serving

  • avocado, sliced
  • radish, thinly shaved
  • fresh cilantro, chopped
  • queso fresco, crumbled
  • serrano pepper, thinly sliced
  • Lime wedge
  • hot sauce

Nutrition Info

  • Calories 327
  • Fat 17g
  • Carbs 14g
  • Fiber 20g
  • Sugar 5g
  • Protein 30g

Estimated values based on one serving size.

Preparation

  1. Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground turkey, rice, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, and cilantro and gently mix together until well combined. Use an ice cream scoop or your hands to shape the meatballs into 1½-inch balls, about the size of a golf ball. You should have about 25 meatballs.
  2. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the canola oil and warm for about 1 minute. Working in batches, add the meatballs in a single layer and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining meatballs.
  3. Make the soup: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the onion to the pot, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom with a wooden spoon. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent, 5–7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 2–3 minutes. Add the cumin, oregano, and ancho chile and continue cooking for another minute, until fragrant.
  4. Add the carrots, celery, potatoes, salt, pepper, tomatoes and their juices, and stock and stir to combine. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for 30–35 minutes, until the vegetables have softened.
  5. Add the meatballs and cook, covered, until cooked through, 15–20 minutes.
  6. Season the soup with salt, pepper, and lime juice to taste.
  7. Immediately ladle the soup into bowls, discarding the ancho chile. Top with avocado, radishes, cilantro, queso fresco, serrano peppers, and a generous squeeze of lime juice. Serve with hot sauce on the side.
  8. Enjoy!
  9. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place. Download the Tasty app and never lose a recipe again.

Related Recipes

Albondigas (Mexican Meatball Soup)