Spicy Chipotle Meatball Soup (Albondigas al Chipotle)
Savor the rich and spicy flavors of this traditional Mexican meatball soup, known as Albondigas al Chipotle. Combining tender meatballs filled with ooey-gooey Chihuahua cheese and simmered in a vibrant chipotle-tomato broth, this dish is perfect for chills. Each spoonful bursts with the freshness of mint and tomatillos, balanced by the smokiness of chipotle peppers. Ideal for gatherings, this soup serves 25 and is sure to warm your heart and soul.
N/A
Servings
240
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bolillo-type bread
1/2 (In pieces)
Milk
1/4 cup (For soaking)
Tomatillos
5 (Cleaned and quartered)
Mint leaves
8 (Finely chopped)
Onion
1 small (Finely chopped)
Garlic clove
1 (Peeled and finely chopped)
Cumin
1/4 teaspoon (Ground)
Ground beef
1/2 kg (Raw)
Salt and pepper
To taste (For seasoning)
Chihuahua-style cheese
50 g (Cut into small cubes)
Tomatoes
4 large (Quartered)
Garlic clove
1 (Peeled)
Onion
1 small (Quartered)
Chipotle chile
1-2 (To taste)
Water
1/4 cup (For pureeing)
Vegetable oil
1 teaspoon (For cooking)
Chicken broth
4-5 cups (As needed)
Bay leaf
1 (For flavor)
Instructions
1
1. Begin by soaking the bolillo bread pieces in milk for about 5 minutes until soft. Once softened, use your hands to break the bread into a paste-like consistency.
2
2. In a mortar and pestle (or food processor), combine the finely chopped onion, garlic, tomatillos, mint, and cumin. Grind until the mixture forms a smooth paste.
3
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with the paste, salted to taste. Gently fold in the soaked bolillo mixture. Mix with your hands until well incorporated.
4
4. Take a handful of the meat mixture and encase a small cube of Chihuahua cheese inside to form a meatball about 4 cm in diameter. Place the formed meatballs on a tray and set aside.
5
5. For the sauce, blend the quartered tomatoes, quartered onion, whole garlic clove, chipotle chiles, and water until you achieve a smooth puree.
6
6. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Pour in the sauce and allow it to boil for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7
7. After the sauce has thickened, add the chicken broth and bay leaf. Season with salt to taste and bring the mixture to a boil again.
8
8. Reduce the heat, gently add the prepared meatballs into the pot, and let it simmer on medium heat for 30 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
9
9. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs or a dollop of sour cream, and enjoy the spicy goodness of this traditional dish!
Nutrition Information
14g
Fat
12g
Carbs
18g
Protein
0.8g
Fiber
1.2g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Chipotle Meatball Soup?
It is a traditional Mexican meatball soup, known as Albondigas al Chipotle, featuring cheese-filled meatballs in a chipotle-tomato broth.
What is the traditional name for this dish?
The traditional name for this dish is Albondigas al Chipotle.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to serve 25 people.
What kind of cheese is hidden inside the meatballs?
Small cubes of Chihuahua-style cheese are encased inside each meatball.
What type of bread is used as a binder for the meatballs?
The recipe uses half a piece of Bolillo-type bread soaked in milk.
How do you prepare the bread binder?
Soak the bolillo pieces in milk for 5 minutes until soft, then break them into a paste-like consistency by hand.
What aromatics are ground into a paste for the meat mixture?
Finely chopped onion, garlic, tomatillos, mint, and cumin are ground together into a smooth paste.
How big should the meatballs be?
Each meatball should be approximately 4 cm in diameter.
What are the main ingredients in the chipotle sauce?
The sauce is a puree of quartered tomatoes, onion, a garlic clove, chipotle chiles, and water.
How long should the sauce boil before adding the broth?
The sauce should be boiled for about 8 minutes in vegetable oil until it thickens.
What kind of broth is used for the soup base?
The recipe calls for 4 to 5 cups of chicken broth.
How long do the meatballs need to simmer in the soup?
The meatballs should simmer on medium heat for 30 minutes or until cooked through.
What herb is used to add freshness to the meatballs?
Eight finely chopped mint leaves are included in the meatball paste.
How many calories are in a serving of this soup?
There are 240 calories per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains 18g of protein.
How much fat is in one serving of Albondigas al Chipotle?
There are 14g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
Each serving contains 12g of carbohydrates.
What is the fiber and sugar content?
The soup has 0.8g of fiber and 1.2g of sugar per serving.
How many ingredients are needed in total?
There are 18 ingredients required for this recipe.
What type of meat is used for the meatballs?
The recipe uses 1/2 kg of raw ground beef.
Is there a specific leaf used for flavoring the broth?
Yes, one bay leaf is added to the broth for extra flavor.
How many chipotle chiles should be added?
The recipe suggests 1 to 2 chipotle chiles, depending on your spice preference.
How many tomatillos are used in the meatball paste?
Five cleaned and quartered tomatillos are used to make the aromatic paste.
What oil is best for cooking the sauce?
One teaspoon of vegetable oil is used to fry the sauce.
How much cumin is added to the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of ground cumin.
What is the suggested garnish for serving?
Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh herbs or a dollop of sour cream.
What are the primary tags associated with this recipe?
The tags include mexican, soup, meatballs, spicy, comfort food, and chipotle.
Can I use a food processor for the aromatics?
Yes, you can use either a mortar and pestle or a food processor to grind the onion, garlic, and tomatillos.
How much Chihuahua cheese is needed?
You will need 50 grams of Chihuahua-style cheese cut into small cubes.
How many tomatoes are required for the sauce?
The recipe uses 4 large quartered tomatoes for the sauce puree.