Hearty Southwest Ale-Infused Meatball Soup
Indulge in this robust Southwest Ale-Infused Meatball Soup, where savory turkey meatballs blend seamlessly with vibrant flavors and hearty ingredients. This soup is filled with tender meatballs, zesty tomatoes, and nutritious black beans, all enhanced by the rich depth of dark ale. Inspired by traditional Mexican flavors, this dish is perfect for cozy dinners and gatherings, serving as the centerpiece or a hearty complement to any meal. Don't forget the garnish! Top each bowl with a dollop of creamy sour cream, fresh cilantro, and crunchy tostada chips for an extra touch of joy. Let the rich aromas and comforting textures wrap you in warmth as you savor each delicious sip. Enjoy responsibly and savor the spirit of Southwest cuisine!
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground turkey
1 lb (none)
Large egg
1 (none)
Oatmeal
1.5 cups (none)
Red pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
Cumin
1 teaspoon (ground)
Mexican oregano
1 teaspoon (dried)
Dark beer
1 pint (none)
Chicken broth
14 ounces (canned)
Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
8 ounces (canned)
Tomato sauce
8 ounces (canned)
Canned black beans
15.25 ounces (drained and rinsed)
Black pepper
2 teaspoons (ground)
Chipotle chiles in adobo
2 (diced)
Sweet 'n Low
1 packet (none)
Sour cream
to garnish (dollop)
Cilantro
to garnish (fresh sprig)
Tostadas
to serve (broken into pieces)
Instructions
1
In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, oatmeal, red pepper, cumin, and Mexican oregano. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
2
Shape the mixture into 12-14 large meatballs, or about 24 smaller ones if preferred. Note: The mixture might be sticky, so wetting your hands can help.
3
Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes. They will appear dry, but they will absorb moisture from the soup later.
4
In the meantime, drain and rinse the canned black beans, setting them aside.
5
In a crock pot, combine the baked meatballs, oregano, dark ale, Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, black beans, black pepper, chicken broth, tomato sauce, and Sweet 'n Low. Stir until well mixed.
6
Finely dice the chipotle chiles in adobo. Adjust the number of chiles based on your spice preference, using 1 for mild to 3 for more heat.
7
Add the diced chiles to the crock pot and gently stir again to incorporate.
8
Cover the pot and cook on LOW for 3 hours, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully.
9
When ready to serve, ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with a dollop of sour cream, a sprig of fresh cilantro, and a few tostada chips for crunch.
10
Open your favorite dark ale, toast to a hearty meal, and enjoy!
11
Bon appétit!
Nutrition Information
37g
Carbs
22g
Protein
6g
Fiber
1.7g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in the Hearty Southwest Ale-Infused Meatball Soup?
The main protein in this recipe is ground turkey.
What type of beer is recommended for this soup?
The recipe recommends using a pint of dark ale to provide a rich depth of flavor.
How many meatballs does this recipe make?
You can make 12 to 14 large meatballs or approximately 24 smaller ones.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
How long do you bake the meatballs?
The meatballs should be baked for 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
What setting should I use on my crock pot?
Cook the soup on the LOW setting for 3 hours.
Can I adjust the spiciness of this soup?
Yes, you can adjust the heat by using 1 chipotle chile for mild spice or up to 3 for more heat.
What binder is used for the meatballs?
A large egg and 1.5 cups of oatmeal are used as binders for the ground turkey meatballs.
Which spices give the soup its Southwest flavor?
The soup uses cumin, Mexican oregano, red pepper, and chipotle chiles in adobo for its Southwest profile.
Are the black beans used in the soup drained?
Yes, the canned black beans should be drained and rinsed before being added to the crock pot.
What should I do if the meatball mixture is too sticky to handle?
Wetting your hands with water can help you shape the meatballs more easily if the mixture is sticky.
What type of tomatoes are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies.
Is there any sweetener in the soup?
One packet of Sweet 'n Low is included to help balance the flavors.
How much protein is in a serving?
Each serving provides about 22 grams of protein.
What are the recommended garnishes for serving?
Garnish each bowl with a dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro, and broken tostada chips for crunch.
How many carbohydrates are in this soup?
There are 37 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fiber does the soup contain?
The soup contains 6 grams of fiber per serving.
Can I use regular oregano if I don't have Mexican oregano?
While Mexican oregano is specified for its unique flavor, you can substitute regular oregano if necessary.
Do the meatballs stay dry after baking?
They may appear dry after the 15-minute bake, but they will absorb moisture and flavor from the soup base in the crock pot.
What is the purpose of the chicken broth?
The chicken broth acts as the primary liquid base for the soup along with the dark ale and tomato sauce.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe contains 1.7 grams of sugar.
What is the prep for the chipotle chiles?
The chipotle chiles in adobo should be finely diced before being added to the crock pot.
Should the baking sheet be greased?
The recipe suggests lining the baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Is this soup considered a comfort food?
Yes, the description highlights it as a hearty comfort food inspired by traditional Mexican flavors.
How much black pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of ground black pepper.
What size can of black beans is needed?
You will need one 15.25 ounce can of black beans.
Can I use this recipe for a gathering?
Yes, it is described as perfect for cozy dinners and gatherings as a centerpiece meal.
Does the recipe include salt?
Salt is not explicitly listed, but sodium is provided by the chicken broth, canned tomatoes, and beans.
What kind of tomato sauce is used?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of canned tomato sauce.
How do I serve the tostadas?
The tostadas should be broken into pieces and served on top of or alongside the soup for crunch.