Homemade Albondigas Soup Recipe (Mexican Meatball Soup)

What Is Albondigas Soup?

Good question! Albondigas soup is a popular Mexican soup, also known as Mexican meatball soup. In Spanish, “albondigas” translates directly to “meatballs.” This comforting soup has tender meatballs, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful broth, perfect for those chilly evenings. The rich flavors, nutritious ingredients, and warm broth make this soup a family favorite.

Ingredients and Supplies to Make Homemade Meatballs and Albondigas Soup

The rice and seasonings in the meatballs really make them unique and the soup special. Include this recipe in your weekly soup meal planning rotation! 

Meatballs

• Lean ground beef (or substitute with ground turkey or ground sausage)
• Cooked white long grain rice
• Minced garlic
• Large egg
• Chopped cilantro
• Ground cumin
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Optional: Add chopped mint to the meatballs for a unique flavor

Soup

• Olive oil
• Diced onion
• Minced garlic cloves
• Carrots, peeled, quartered, and sliced
• Russet potato, peeled and diced
• Beef broth (or substitute with chicken broth)
• Diced tomatoes, not drained
• Ground cumin
• Dried oregano
• Zucchini, quartered and sliced
• Optional Vegetables: Corn, green beans, celery, squash
• Chopped cilantro for garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Variations

Feel free to make this recipe your own by trying out different variations:

• Meat options: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or sausage for a different flavor profile. Ground turkey adds a lighter taste, while sausage brings a bit of spice and richness to the dish.
• Vegetable options: Add other veggies like corn, green beans, celery, or squash to enhance the soup’s flavor and nutrition.
• Add fresh mint: Chopped mint gives the meatballs a unique and refreshing flavor that many people love. The mint adds a surprising twist that elevates the meatballs and complements the savory elements of the soup.

Supplies

• Medium bowl
• Large stock pot

Kitchen Tool Tip

My favorite kitchen tool for this recipe is my Herb Kitchen Scissors. They make chopping herbs quick and easy, and they’re affordable too. Want to save more time in the kitchen? Check out these other cool kitchen gadgets.

How to Make Albondigas Soup

Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs

Combine raw ground beef (or your choice of ground turkey or sausage) in a large bowl with cooked rice, garlic, egg, cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. Form the meat mixture with your hands or a small cookie scoop into small 3/4-inch round meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet or back in the large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Vegetables

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large stock pot on the stovetop. Add the diced onion and sliced carrots, and cook for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.

Step 3: Add Broth and Potatoes

Add the diced potatoes, beef broth, diced tomatoes (with their juices), ground cumin, and dried oregano. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Add Meatballs

Gently add the prepared meatballs to the simmering broth. Let the soup simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through.

Step 5: Add Zucchini and Finish Cooking

Add the sliced zucchini (or other optional vegetables like corn, green beans, celery, or squash) to the pot. Simmer for another 10 minutes or until the zucchini is tender.

Step 6: Season and Serve

Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped cilantro and other fresh herbs, such as fresh mint, and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious albondigas soup!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does albondigas mean?

‘Albondigas’ is the Spanish word for ‘meatballs.’ Because of its main ingredient, this dish is often called Mexican meatball soup.

2. What is the secret to making tender meatballs?

The secret to tender meatballs is not overworking the mixture. Overmixing the meat can make your meatballs dense and tough. Mix until just combined, and be gentle when forming the meatballs. Adding ingredients like cooked rice or bread crumbs helps create a soft texture.  Also, do not make the meatballs too large, which could result in uneven cooking.

3. Do I not cook the meatballs before adding them to the soup?

Nope, the meatballs are cooked right in that delicious savory broth. When you slowly simmer all the ingredients in one pot, they will be tender and flavorful. The best part is that there is only one pot, so there is less cleanup!

4. Why do my albondigas fall apart?

If your albondigas are falling apart, it could be because the mixture needs more binding agents, such as egg or rice. Mixing thoroughly also helps them to hold together. It’s important to combine the ingredients well to ensure they stick together.

5. How do you keep meatballs perfectly round?

To keep meatballs round, chill them for about 15 minutes before cooking. Cooking meatballs cold helps them maintain their shape. Browning them lightly on all sides before adding them to the soup can also help.

Final Thoughts

Hope you enjoy this easy albondigas soup recipe! It’s perfect for a cozy meal during the colder months, but it’s so delicious you’ll want it year-round. Serve it with some homemade tortilla chips for a nice crunch.

After you make this dish a couple of times, try experimenting with the ingredients. There are so many different ways to make albondigas soup, and each variation brings a new flavor to the table. Whether you add extra vegetables, swap out the meat, or try mint in the meatballs, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this traditional Mexican meatball soup.

More Favorite Mexican Recipes:

• Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Burrito & Salad Copycat Recipe
• Healthy Taco Bowl Recipe with Avocado Lime Dressing
• Tasty Steak Fajita Freezer Meal Recipe
• Low Carb Mexican Skillet Dinner

More Cozy Soup Recipes:

• Green Keto Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe
• Copycat Zupas Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup Recipe
• Crockpot Lentil Soup with Sausage
• Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Easy Albondigas Soup Recipe

One of the best albondigas soup recipes you'll ever try! Delicious, hearty, and perfect for the cool fall and winter months.

4.66 / 5 ( 26 Reviews )

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Serves: 12

Adjust Servings: 12

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Medium bowl
• Large stock pot

Ingredients

Meatballs

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ cup cooked white rice
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Soup

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• ½ diced onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 3 carrots peeled, quartered and sliced
• 1 large Russet potato peeled and diced (1 1/2 cups)
• 6 cups beef broth
• 15- ounce can diced tomatoes not drained
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 medium zucchini quartered and sliced
• Chopped cilantro for garnish
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, combine raw ground beef with cooked rice, garlic, egg, cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper. Make small meatballs, about 3/4-inch, and place on a tray.
• In a large stock pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and carrot, cook for 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Add potatoes, broth, tomatoes, cumin, oregano, and bring to a simmer.
• Add meatballs. Simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add zucchini and simmer for another 10 minutes or until zucchini is tender.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 9g | Sodium: 687mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g