Hearty Mexican Meatball Soup
This Hearty Mexican Meatball Soup is a beloved family recipe that combines the rich flavors of Mexico with home-cooked comfort. Originating from a cherished friendship, this soup has been passed down through generations. The addition of tomatillos not only adds a unique flavor but also helps thicken the broth, making each spoonful a delight. While my father swears by celery, it's perfectly fine to leave it out if it’s not on hand. Feel free to personalize this recipe to suit your taste—with adjustments to seasonings and vegetables—as cooking is all about creating what you love. Whether enjoyed on a chilly evening or served at a joyful family gathering, this soup pairs wonderfully with homemade tortillas for a truly comforting meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
vegetable oil
3 tablespoons (none)
onion
1 (chopped)
garlic
3-5 cloves (minced)
celery
2 stalks (chopped (optional))
whole cumin seed
1 teaspoon (none)
low sodium vegetable broth
1 1/2-2 cups (none)
canned peeled diced tomatoes
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (undrained)
tomatillos
5-7 (papery skins removed, washed, and diced)
water
3-4 cups (none)
cilantro
1 bunch (washed and chopped)
white rice or brown rice
1/3 cup (none)
carrots
2-4 (peeled and sliced)
salt
to taste (none)
pepper
to taste (none)
lean ground beef
1 lb (none)
plain breadcrumbs or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/3 cup (none)
ground cumin
1 teaspoon (none)
garlic powder
1 tablespoon (none)
dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon (none)
egg
1 (none)
Instructions
1
In a Dutch oven or large soup pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and optional celery, along with the whole cumin seeds. Sauté until the onions become translucent, about 5 minutes.
2
Pour in the low-sodium vegetable broth and canned diced tomatoes (with their juice). Stir in the water, diced tomatillos, and chopped cilantro.
3
Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, then bring the mixture to a boil.
4
Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer. Add the sliced carrots and rice, stirring to combine.
5
In a mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, ground cumin, dried oregano, and garlic powder. Mix well.
6
Add the lean ground beef to the breadcrumb mixture, kneading until fully combined. Incorporate the egg, continuing to knead. If needed, adjust the texture with extra breadcrumbs until it feels slightly firmer than raw ground beef.
7
Using your hands, form the mixture into small meatballs, roughly 1/2-inch in size.
8
Bring the soup back to a boil before gently adding the meatballs to the pot.
9
Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the soup for about 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the flavors meld beautifully.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Mexican Meatball Soup?
This is a beloved family recipe that combines rich Mexican flavors with home-cooked comfort, often passed down through generations.
What makes the broth in this soup unique?
The addition of tomatillos adds a unique flavor and helps thicken the broth, making each spoonful delightful.
Can I leave out the celery?
Yes, while some swear by adding celery, it is perfectly fine to leave it out if it is not on hand.
What should I serve with Hearty Mexican Meatball Soup?
This soup pairs wonderfully with homemade tortillas for a truly comforting and complete meal.
What type of oil is recommended for sautéing?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
How many garlic cloves should I use?
You should use between 3 to 5 minced garlic cloves depending on your preference.
How long should I sauté the onions and garlic?
Sauté the chopped onion, minced garlic, and optional celery for about 5 minutes or until the onions become translucent.
What type of cumin is used in the soup base?
The base of the soup uses 1 teaspoon of whole cumin seeds.
Should I drain the canned tomatoes?
No, you should use one 14.5-ounce can of peeled diced tomatoes undrained, including the juice.
How do I prepare the tomatillos for the soup?
Remove the papery skins, wash them, and then dice 5 to 7 tomatillos before adding them to the pot.
What kind of broth is best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using 1.5 to 2 cups of low-sodium vegetable broth.
What type of rice can I use?
You can use 1/3 cup of either white rice or brown rice.
When do I add the carrots and rice?
Add the sliced carrots and rice once the soup mixture has been brought to a boil and the heat has been reduced to a simmer.
What ingredients are needed for the meatballs?
The meatballs consist of lean ground beef, breadcrumbs, ground cumin, dried oregano, garlic powder, and an egg.
Can I use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs?
Yes, you can use either plain breadcrumbs or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for the meatball mixture.
How big should the meatballs be?
The meatballs should be formed by hand into small spheres, roughly 1/2-inch in size.
What is the purpose of the egg in the meatballs?
The egg acts as a binder to help hold the ground beef and breadcrumb mixture together.
How do I adjust the texture of the meatball mixture?
If needed, you can add extra breadcrumbs until the mixture feels slightly firmer than raw ground beef.
How long does the soup need to simmer after adding meatballs?
The soup should simmer for about 30 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and the flavors meld.
What spices are used to season the meat?
The meat is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 1 tablespoon of garlic powder.
Is this soup suitable for family gatherings?
Yes, it is specifically mentioned as being a great choice for joyful family gatherings or chilly evenings.
How much water is added to the soup?
The recipe calls for 3 to 4 cups of water to be stirred into the broth mixture.
How do I prepare the cilantro?
Use one bunch of cilantro that has been thoroughly washed and chopped.
Can I personalize this recipe?
Yes, the recipe encourages making adjustments to seasonings and vegetables to suit your personal taste.
When do I add salt and pepper?
Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste just before bringing the mixture to its first boil.
What kind of ground beef should I use?
The recipe specifies using 1 lb of lean ground beef.
Should the soup be boiling when I add the meatballs?
Yes, you should bring the soup back to a boil before gently adding the formed meatballs to the pot.
What is the origin of this recipe?
The recipe originated from a cherished friendship and has been passed down through generations.
How many carrots are required?
You will need 2 to 4 carrots, peeled and sliced.
What type of pot should I use?
A Dutch oven or a large soup pot is recommended for preparing this meal.