This sopa de albondigas (meatballs soup) is such a creative way to transform a plain beef soup into something more special and yummy.
This soup is a complete lunch by itself. You have protein, veggies, and carbs if you add some rice — personal advice. You’ll get a Mexican flavor packed soup.
How to make the Albondigas?
The meatballs are the soul of this recipe. They are the strong flavor — along with the jalapeños — of this soup otherwise plain.
The key it’s to season the meat with the right ingredients. I prefer to only add dry or powder ingredients. Some people add finely chopped onion or bell pepper. I prefer to keep my meatballs without weird chunks.
My basic go-to albondigas season is:
- garlic powder
- paprika
- dry coriander
- cumin
- salt
- black pepper
Besides that season, I add the infallible mix of egg and breadcrumbs. This will compact the meatballs and prevent them from falling apart while cooking on the soup.
How to make the soup base?
Every single time I have to make soup I remember my mom. She always tells me “haz un sofrito” — make a sofrito. This means that instead of boiling all the ingredients, I cook first the onion, the garlic and the tomato paste with a bit of oil. This way a flavorful base is created and when you pour the beef broth you get a deeper soup.
In the “sofrito” for this albondigas soup, I also add a small jalapeño — because Mexico — to get a spicier yet subtle result.
After I get this base done, I add the beef broth, the veggies (carrot and zucchini), the meatballs and some coriander for more South American flavor.
Final tip: add some lime juice. The acidity will balance all the flavor and will tone down a bit the greasy taste that beef broth sometimes has. I promise you that you won’t regret a few drops of lime juice.
Mexican Albondigas Soup
Ingredients
For the soup:
- 3 cups beef broth
- 3 cups of water
- 1 onion cut into dices
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 carrot cut into medium size pieces
- 1 zucchini cut into medium size pieces
- 1 handful of fresh coriander
- 1 small jalapeño deseeded and cut into tiny pieces
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Lime optional but highly recommended
For the meatballs:
- 200 gr ground beef
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dry coriander
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients for the meatballs. Using your hand, mix it well until you get a homogeneous mixture. Make medium size balls (this recipe serves 8 – 10 meatballs).
- In a big pot heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, the garlic, the tomato paste, and the jalapeño and cook for a couple minutes until it’s fragrant.
- Pour the water and the beef broth. When it starts to boil add the meatballs and the fresh coriander. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the zucchini and the carrots and cook for 15 – 20 minutes until the carrot is fork tender.
- Serve the soup and add some drops of lime juice.
I’m Maria and I love cooking—and mostly EATING—food from all around the world. I’ve been sharing my abuela’s secret Latin-American recipes for the last 7 years with the world on this blog. I’ve been a full-time food blogger for many years and I’m always trying new delicious meals that don’t require a culinary degree or a Michelin-star chef. I also love traveling, cats, and knitting.