Albondigas Recipes, Ingredients, and Nutritional Information

Albondigas is a traditional Mexican meatball soup that is packed with flavor and nutrition. This hearty soup is perfect for cold winter nights or when you need a comforting meal. In this guide, we will explore the origin of Albondigas and provide some delicious recipes for you to try.

What is Albondigas?

Albondigas is a popular Mexican soup made from meatballs, vegetables and herbs in a savory broth. The word “albondigas” comes from the Arabic word “al-bunduq”, which means hazelnut, as the small meatballs resemble the size of a hazelnut. This dish is believed to have originated in Spain during the Arab occupation and was later introduced to Mexico.

Albondigas Soup Recipe

Here is a classic Albondigas soup recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 cup cooked rice
• 1 egg
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 cups beef broth
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 potato, peeled and diced
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix together the ground beef, cooked rice, egg, onion, garlic, cilantro, salt, and pepper until well combined.
2. Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. Heat the beef broth in a large pot over medium-high heat.
4. Add the carrots, celery, zucchini, and potato to the pot.
5. Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste.
6. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce heat to low.
7. Gently add the meatballs to the soup and simmer for 20 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
8. Serve hot with additional cilantro sprinkled on top.

Albondigas Recipe

If you want to enjoy Albondigas without the soup, here is a recipe for Albondigas that you can serve as an appetizer or main dish.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 cup cooked rice
• 1 egg
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix together the ground beef, cooked rice, egg, onion, garlic, cilantro, salt, and pepper until well combined.
2. Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.
5. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Albondigas with Chipotle Sauce Recipe

For those who love a little bit of spice, here’s a recipe for Albondigas with a smoky chipotle sauce:

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper For the sauce:
• 2 dried chipotle peppers
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 cup beef broth

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper until well combined.
2. Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.
5. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
6. In the same skillet, sauté the onion and garlic until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
7. Add the diced tomatoes, cumin, cinnamon, honey, beef broth, and chipotle peppers. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
8. Add the meatballs back to the skillet and coat them with the chipotle sauce.
9. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked.
10. Serve hot with rice or tortillas.

Nutritional Information

Here is the nutritional information for our classic Albondigas soup recipe:

• Calories: 291
• Fat: 15g
• Carbohydrates: 19g
• Protein: 20g
• Sodium: 1372mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 5g

FAQs

1. Can I use turkey or chicken instead of ground beef for Albondigas soup? Yes, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef in this recipe.
2. Can I make Albondigas ahead of time? Yes, you can make the meatballs ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before adding them to the soup or cooking them.
3. Can I freeze Albondigas soup? Yes, you can freeze Albondigas soup in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
4. Can I add other vegetables to Albondigas soup? Yes, feel free to add any vegetables you like such as corn, green beans, or bell peppers.
5. What other sauces can I serve with Albondigas meatballs? Some popular dipping sauces include salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

Conclusion

Albondigas is a delicious and comforting Mexican soup that is perfect for chilly nights. With these three recipes, you can enjoy Albondigas in different ways and even add your own twist to them. Don’t forget to try the chipotle sauce for an extra kick of flavor. Enjoy!