Charmie's Albondigas

Warm, comforting, and packed with vibrant flavors, Charmie's Albondigas is a traditional Mexican meatball soup that brings heartiness and freshness to your table. Tender, handmade meatballs made from a mix of ground beef, ground pork, aromatic spices, and uncooked rice are gently simmered in a rich tomato-infused broth alongside colorful vegetables like carrots, zucchini, and potatoes. The addition of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of zesty lime elevates this wholesome dish, making it a go-to option for cozy family dinners. Ready in just an hour, this one-pot wonder combines bold flavors and simple techniques to create a nourishing, satisfying meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. Whether served as a starter or a main course, this albondigas recipe is sure to become a beloved staple in your kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 0.5 lb ground pork
• 0.25 cup uncooked long-grain rice
• 1 large egg
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 medium zucchini, chopped
• 1 medium potato, diced
• 1 15 oz can canned diced tomatoes
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 0 optional lime wedges, for serving

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, rice, egg, minced garlic, onion, cilantro, cumin, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2

Mix the meat mixture until evenly combined but do not overwork it to avoid dense meatballs.

Step 3

Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a plate. This should yield approximately 20-24 meatballs.

Step 4

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large stockpot over medium heat.

Step 5

Add the diced onion into the pot and sauté until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice, chicken broth, water, and oregano. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 7

Carefully drop the prepared meatballs into the simmering broth, one at a time, to prevent breaking them apart.

Step 8

Add the sliced carrots, chopped zucchini, and diced potato to the soup. Stir gently to combine.

Step 9

Lower the heat and let the soup simmer uncovered for about 30-35 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

Step 10

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 11

Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4007.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2686.0

Total Fat 164.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 57.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14.0g
Cholesterol 753.3mg	0%
Sodium 6939.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 133.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.0g	0%
Total Sugars 33.5g
Protein 179.5g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 621.5mg	0%
Iron 23.1mg	0%
Potassium 5818.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.2%

Protein: 26.3%

Carbs: 19.5%