An incredible Albondigas Soup which is a traditional Mexican meatball soup loaded with vegetables and full of flavor.
WHAT IS ALBONDIGAS SOUP
Albondigas soup is a traditional Mexican Soup and albondigas simply means meatballs. In Mexico albondigas are usually served in a light broth with all sort of vegetables.
Meatball soup is a true comfort food, whether it’s my old time favorite Romanian meatball soup or Italian meatball soup. I am, however, very fond of this Mexican style meatball soup. It’s quite light but very hearty and you can load it with vegetables.
I ended up only using carrots and potatoes because that’s all I happened to have in the fridge, but you can use green beans, zucchini, yellow squash or celery.
HOW TO MAKE ALBONDIGAS SOUP
The beauty of this soup is also how simple it is. But I love all the different herbs in this soup. I finally got a chance to use quite a few of the different herbs hubs is trying to grow. Fresh mint, oregano, parsley and cilantro. I used them all. And what a great aroma and flavor it gives to the soup. There’s nothing like fresh herbs.
These fragrant herbs are in the meatballs too, so as you bite into each albondiga you will get all these beautiful flavors.
So next time you’re in the mood for a soup, and you really want something comforting, give this albondigas soup a try. It’s delicious and it’s hearty.
LOOKING FOR MORE SOUP RECIPES? TRY THESE:
- Romanian Meatball Soup
- Italian Wedding Soup
- Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Beef Stroganoff Soup
Albondigas Soup
Ingredients
For Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef extra lean
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 1/2 cup rice long grain, uncooked (I used Basmati)
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/4 cup mint fresh, chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley fresh, chopped
- 1/4 cup oregano fresh, chopped or about 1 tbsp dry oregano
- 1 tsp cumin ground
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp pepper or to taste
For Albondigas soup
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 large onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large carrot chopped to your liking
- 2 medium potatoes peeled and chopped into 1 inch cubes
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (1 can)
- 3 cups beef broth low sodium
- 3 cups water
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp cilantro fresh, chopped
- 2 tbsp parsley fresh, chopped
Instructions
- In a bowl add all the meatball ingredients together and mix well. Shape into meatballs about 1 inch in diameter. You should get about 25 to 30 meatballs, depending on how big you make them. Place meatballs in fridge until ready to add to soup.
- Heat the olive oil in a heavy bottom 5 qt pot to medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until onion is translucent, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add chopped carrots and potatoes to pot and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes until you get a nice caramelization going.
- Add the tomatoes, broth, water and seasonings. Bring to a boil and turn down heat and let simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Add meatballs to pot one at a time, slowly. Using a wooden spoon slowly stir. Cover and let cook over low to medium heat for another 15 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through. Add lemon juice and herbs and taste and adjust for seasoning.
Video
Notes
- If you have extra meatballs or don't use them all, you can place them in an airtight container and freeze them until ready to use.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Nutrition
Originally published August 14, 2014.
Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. Made it last night for dinner and it was a hit! Beautiful fresh flavors and easy to follow recipe. Thank you!
Delicious, I used turkey and rather using beef broth I used chicken broth
Made it and changed it alittle. Super yummy
made this tonight for dinner and it was another hit! I really enjoyed the flavors of this delicate tasting soup. Husband even said “this one’s a keeper!”
Thanks, will do it. Like you’re video
Made this today and it was delicious!!
I see how you can make it your own depending on what’s in your fridge.
The only changes made: toasted rice, added chipotle chili during step 2 for broth and omitted cayenne. Might add some baked white corn tortilla strips as a garnish next time. Thank you for sharing
Yum! That sounds SO good. We’ll have to try your suggestions out 🙂
Have you ever tried salsa instead of the diced tomatoes? I’ve always done it this way and it is so good! Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Oh yum, what an awesome idea! I’ll definitely try that out next time.
Condiments are necessary to complete this soup presentation: small warmed flour tortillas for dipping or putting tiny meatballs in, diced sweet onion, sliced lime wedges…drizzle over the warm soup….also I used pork sausage instead of beef..use toasted jalapeño/cheese crumbs to bind meatballs.
Made this yesterday for the family, delicious and perfect for this time of year. Took me back to my childhood.
So happy to hear this!
This is excellent! I love it and my husband love it too.
I made this yesterday for my husband who was coming home from a business trip and wanted to eat something home cooked and comforting after numerous meals on the road. I cooked it on the stove and then put it in the crockpot on warm for about 6 hours until he got home. It was excellent. We loved the flavors and the broth was exceptional. The meatballs were delicious and not too dense. Yum.
This is the best ever recipe I have found for Albondigas Soup, I used ground turkey and it was a hit.
Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
We’re so glad you love the recipe 🙂 thank you for the comment!
I make it, so delicious
This soup recipe was super delicious! I loved it’s authentic taste and it was not hard to make. All my picky eaters at home loved it too! Thank you, it will become a treasured recipe in my home!
Great recipe! Tried it exactly as described above. Loved it! Thanks.
I have made the soup many times everyone always loves it I never really follow a recipe but I saw this one and I thought why not I have never used parsley but it sounded good and I never put onion in the meatballs but what the heck why not…So I followed this recipe, however I did not have beef broth I instead used beef bouillon cubes and it turned out wonderfull!!!! I will be using this recipe for years
Thank you
That’s funny, I almost always never make meatballs without onion. 🙂
I’ve never made albondigas as a soups but when I make them I use ground pork and beef mixed together with all the seasons and some bread crumbs. For the sauce part I use chipotle in the can and tomatoes. I def will be trying this recipe but with the the chipotle. I like the spicy flavor 😊
Made the recipe exactly as called for with fresh herbs. Wonderful! Our family loved it. We will be making it again. Thank you for sharing.