There’s nothing quite like gathering around a pot of soup that’s been lovingly simmered from scratch, especially when it’s as satisfying and soul-warming as A Hearty Delight: Albondigas Soup. This beloved Mexican comfort dish packs tender, flavor-packed meatballs, colorful vegetables, and aromatic herbs into a rich broth that’s equal parts cozy and nourishing. Whether you’re serving up a busy weeknight dinner or looking to impress at a dinner party, this albondigas recipe will quickly become a go-to that brings everyone running to the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of A Hearty Delight: Albondigas Soup lies in its wholesome yet simple ingredient list. Each component plays an important role, lending bold flavors, vibrant colors, and hearty textures to make every spoonful memorable.
- Ground Beef: The star of the soup, delivering rich flavor and juicy, satisfying meatballs.
- Uncooked White Rice: Mixed right into the meatballs, the rice gives them a lovely, tender bite as it cooks up soft and fluffy.
- Large Egg: This binds the meat mixture together, keeping those delicious meatballs intact as they simmer.
- Fresh Cilantro: Chopped cilantro brings a fresh, herbal pop to both the meatballs and as a finishing garnish.
- Ground Cumin: That unmistakable earthy warmth, essential for authentic Mexican flavor.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These pantry staples add subtle depth and keep the prep oh-so-easy.
- Salt & Black Pepper: To enhance every ingredient and truly bring the whole soup together.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing, it adds a bit of extra richness and helps develop a flavorful base.
- Onion & Garlic: Classic aromatics that fill your kitchen with an irresistible, savory fragrance.
- Carrots & Celery: These veggies add delicate sweetness, subtle crunch, and beautiful color.
- Zucchini: Tossed in at the end, zucchini stays bright and tender, perfect for soaking up all those lovely flavors.
- Diced Tomatoes: Canned tomatoes meld everything together with tangy depth and juiciness.
- Beef Broth: The flavor-packed foundation for your soup, giving it just the right richness.
- Dried Oregano & Bay Leaf: Classic seasonings that slowly infuse the broth with savory, aromatic notes.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): Add a gentle touch of heat that wakes up all the other flavors.
- Chopped Cilantro & Lime Wedges: Essential for serving, these zesty additions brighten up every bowl.
How to Make A Hearty Delight: Albondigas Soup
Step 1: Mix Up the Meatballs
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, uncooked rice, egg, chopped cilantro, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Gently mix everything together—hands work best for this—to keep the meat tender. Scoop out about a tablespoon at a time and roll into little meatballs, roughly one inch across. You’ll end up with a batch of perfectly sized meatballs ready to absorb tons of flavor as they cook.
Step 2: Create the Aromatic Base
Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for about two minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the kitchen fills with that swoon-worthy aroma and the onion starts turning translucent. This step helps lay down a deeply flavorful foundation for your soup.
Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables
Add the sliced carrots and celery to the pot, and let them cook with the aromatics for about five more minutes. The vegetables will start to soften and their natural sweetness will come forward, complimenting the savory elements of the soup down the line.
Step 4: Build the Broth
Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, beef broth, dried oregano, bay leaf, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if you’re a fan of a touch of gentle heat. Bring the soup up to a gentle boil, letting all those flavors start to mingle and meld beautifully.
Step 5: Add the Meatballs
Carefully drop the raw meatballs into the broth one by one. They’ll cook gently right in the soup—a signature step for authentic albondigas. Lower the heat and let everything simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, until the meatballs are fully cooked and the rice inside is tender and fluffy.
Step 6: Finish with Zucchini
Stir in the chopped zucchini during the last ten minutes of cooking time. This keeps it perfectly tender without becoming mushy, and its mild flavor soaks up every bit of that herby, tomato-rich broth.
Step 7: Taste and Serve
Fish out the bay leaf, then give your soup a taste for salt and pepper, adjusting as needed. Ladle A Hearty Delight: Albondigas Soup into big bowls, topping each with extra chopped cilantro and a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice. Every serving is bright, fresh, and irresistibly homey.
How to Serve A Hearty Delight: Albondigas Soup
Garnishes
Bright, flavorful garnishes really make this soup sing. Sprinkle on plenty of chopped cilantro and serve with juicy lime wedges on the side. For an extra pop, add thinly sliced radishes, diced avocado, or a swirl of crema. These toppings take A Hearty Delight: Albondigas Soup to a whole new level.
Side Dishes
A Hearty Delight: Albondigas Soup shines beautifully on its own, but a warm stack of tortillas or a crusty piece of bread on the side is a must for soaking up every last bit of flavorful broth. You can also serve it with rice or a simple Mexican-style salad for a heartier spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the soup in mini bowls or mugs at your next party for a memorable appetizer, or make it the centerpiece of a build-your-own soup bar with lots of garnishes and toppings. You can even offer A Hearty Delight: Albondigas Soup family-style, letting everyone help themselves straight from the pot for that cozy, shared-meal feeling.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover A Hearty Delight: Albondigas Soup will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors deepen and the broth becomes even richer as it sits, which means the soup is often even better the next day!
Freezing
This soup freezes exceptionally well. Ladle cooled A Hearty Delight: Albondigas Soup into freezer-safe containers (leave some space for expansion) and store for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results, and keep in mind the rice may soften slightly but still tastes delicious.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the soup in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally until everything is hot all the way through. You can also microwave individual portions; just be sure to cover and stir halfway through. If the broth thickens too much in the fridge, add a splash of water or broth to bring it back to your preferred consistency.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey (or even chicken) makes a lighter, equally delicious albondigas. Just follow the same instructions and enjoy a slightly leaner version of A Hearty Delight: Albondigas Soup.
What if I want to make it spicier?
For extra heat, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a diced jalapeño with the aromatics. You can always finish each bowl with a sprinkle of your favorite hot sauce, too!
Is it possible to prepare the meatballs ahead?
Yes, you can mix and form the meatballs up to a day ahead. Keep them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to drop them into the simmering soup.
Can I add different vegetables?
Definitely. Corn kernels, potatoes, or even peas all work well in A Hearty Delight: Albondigas Soup. Just add firmer vegetables earlier, so they soften in step with the carrots and celery.
How do I prevent the meatballs from falling apart?
Be gentle when mixing the meatball ingredients and don’t overwork them. Forming them firmly (but not compacting too much) helps them hold together as they simmer gently in the broth.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for a comforting, flavorful meal that brings everyone to the table, A Hearty Delight: Albondigas Soup is a true standout. With each bite, you’ll taste tradition, love, and vibrant flavors that keep you coming back for more. Give it a try — your kitchen will smell amazing, and your family or friends will be begging for seconds!
Print
A Hearty Delight: Albondigas Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course, Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Warm up with a bowl of comforting Albondigas Soup, a traditional Mexican meatball soup packed with hearty flavors and wholesome ingredients. This recipe is easy to make and perfect for a cozy night in.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¼ cup uncooked white rice
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
For Serving:
- additional chopped cilantro
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix ground beef, rice, egg, cilantro, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Form into small meatballs.
- Cook the Soup: Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. Add carrots and celery. Stir in tomatoes, broth, oregano, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes. Add meatballs and simmer. Add zucchini and cook until tender.
- Serve: Remove bay leaf. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
- You can use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Enhance the soup with corn or potatoes.
- Leftovers taste delicious the next day!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
