Mini albóndigas 🍲
Ingredients
The broth:
• 3–4 Roma tomatoes
• ½ white onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp chipotle
• 1 tbsp chicken & tomato bouillon
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 4–5 cups water
Mini meatballs:
• 1 lb ground beef
• ¼ cup white rice (uncooked)
• ¼ cup finely chopped onion, tomato & cilantro
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt & pepper
Veggies:
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 zucchini, diced
• 2 potatoes, diced
• Fresh cilantro
How to make it:
1. Blend tomatoes, onion, garlic, chipotle, bouillon, broth, and water until smooth.
2. Pour into a pot with a little oil, bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer.
3. Mix all meatball ingredients by hand.
4. Roll into mini meatballs and gently drop into the broth. Cover and cook 15–20 minutes.
5. Add potatoes, carrots, and zucchini. Simmer until tender.
6. Finish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
Warm tortillas on the side & you’re set 🤍 Save this one.
Making mini albóndigas is a comforting and rewarding cooking experience. What I love about this recipe is the combination of flavors from the chipotle and tomato broth, which adds smokiness and depth to the soup. The meatballs are enhanced by the addition of uncooked rice, which not only gives them a nice texture but also helps them hold together during cooking. Including diced carrots, zucchini, and potatoes boosts the nutritional value and creates a hearty meal that's perfect for any season. When preparing this dish, I found blending the broth ingredients together until smooth ensures a consistent and velvety base. Simmering the broth gently before adding the meatballs allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Rolling the meat mixture into small, uniform balls helps them cook evenly and quickly. Adding the vegetables after the meatballs have cooked helps maintain their shape and prevents overcooking. In my experience, serving this soup with fresh warm tortillas or crusty bread makes it a complete and satisfying meal. A squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro at the end brighten the flavors nicely, adding freshness. This recipe is also versatile—you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken, and the vegetables can be adjusted based on what you have on hand. Overall, mini albóndigas soup offers a perfect balance of spicy, savory, and fresh flavors with a comforting texture. It’s an excellent choice for family dinners or meal prepping as the flavors develop even more after a day or two.



























































Sabroso