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Home » Soup » Albondigas Soup

Published: January 8, 2019 Last Modified: March 4, 2019 By Sara 128 Comments

Albondigas Soup

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Albondigas Soup | Meatball Soup | Mexican Soup #soup #meatballs #beef #rice #glutenfree #dinner #dinneratthezoo #comfortfood

This albondigas soup is made with beef and rice meatballs which are simmered in a seasoned tomato broth along with potatoes, carrots and zucchini. A hearty soup that both kids and adults will enjoy!

I make soup almost every week, my kids adore chicken tortellini soup, cabbage roll soup, and this Mexican style albondigas meatball soup.

Albondigas Soup | Meatball Soup | Mexican Soup #soup #meatballs #beef #rice #glutenfree #dinner #dinneratthezoo #comfortfood Albondigas Soup | Meatball Soup | Mexican Soup #soup #meatballs #beef #rice #glutenfree #dinner #dinneratthezoo #comfortfood

Albondigas soup made with beef meatballs, vegetables and potatoes.

I’ve professed my love for soup many times, but sometimes I crave something different than your standard chicken noodle. This albondigas soup is a Mexican style soup loaded with veggies, potatoes and tender spiced meatballs. It’s full of bold flavors and totally satisfying!

What are albondigas?

Albondigas is the Spanish word for meatballs, often translated as “small meatballs”. The type of meatballs traditionally found in albondigas soup are made with ground beef and use rice as a binding agent.

How do you make albondigas soup?

The first step is to make your meatballs. I use a combination of lean ground beef, cooked rice, garlic, cilantro and cumin. The beef mixture is formed into small balls which then get dropped into the soup. The soup is made with tomatoes, onion, carrots, zucchini, potatoes and spices. Once the meatballs have cooked in the broth, dinner is ready!

Ground beef, rice, herbs and garlic in a mixing bowl.

Many albondigas recipes call for uncooked rice in the meatballs. I prefer to use cooked rice because the meatballs don’t have to simmer for as long. I find that an extended simmer time to soften raw rice can sometimes cause the meatballs to break apart in the soup. You can absolutely use uncooked rice if you prefer, use 1/4 cup of uncooked rice instead of the 1/2 cup of cooked rice that this recipe calls for. Just be sure to adjust your cook time accordingly.

Tips for albondigas soup

  • Be sure to cut your potatoes into small pieces so that they’ll be done at the same time as the meatballs.
  • This recipe is written to be mild in terms of spice level. If you prefer hot and spicy food, you can add some crushed red pepper flakes or a few teaspoons of hot sauce to the broth.
  • Albondigas soup makes great leftovers! Simply reheat your soup on the stove top or in the microwave.
  • This soup is hearty enough to stand as a complete meal, but I often serve it with a side of bread or tortilla chips.
  • Mint is a traditional addition to albondigas soup. I typically don’t use it because my kids don’t care for it, but feel free to add a small amount of chopped fresh mint leaves to the meatballs if you like.

Uncooked beef and rice meatballs on a sheet pan.

Slow cooker albondigas soup

This recipe is a great candidate for the slow cooker! Simply add the prepared meatballs and the rest of the soup ingredients to the crock pot, then cook on low for 4-6 hours. If you’re worried about your meatballs falling apart in the slow cooker, you can briefly broil them before adding them to the pot so that they’ll hold their shape better.

Vegetables, tomatoes and herbs in a soup pot.

Once you try this amazing soup, it’s sure to become part of your regular dinner rotation! The beef and rice meatballs come out so light and tender, and they pair perfectly with the savory broth, creamy potatoes and fresh veggies.

A bowl of albondigas soup with meatballs, carrots, zucchini and tomatoes.

More soup recipes to try

  • Mexican Chicken Soup
  • Chicken Taco Soup
  • Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
  • Ham Bone Soup
  • Farro Soup with Meatballs
Albondigas soup made with beef meatballs, vegetables and potatoes.
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4.98 from 73 votes

Albondigas Soup

This albondigas soup is made with beef and rice meatballs which are simmered in a seasoned tomato broth along with potatoes, carrots and zucchini. A hearty soup that both kids and adults will enjoy!
Course Soup
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 269kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

For the meatballs

  • 1 pound ground beef I use 90% lean
  • 1/2 cup cooked white rice
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

For the soup

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 3 carrots peeled, quartered and sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups Russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 15 ounce can diced tomatoes do not drain
  • 8 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 large zucchini quartered and sliced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • For the meatballs. Place the beef, rice, garlic, egg, cilantro, cumin, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined.
  • Roll the meat mixture into 3/4 inch sized meatballs. Place the meatballs on a tray.
  • For the soup. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and carrot and cook for 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the potatoes, beef broth, tomatoes, tomato sauce, cumin and oregano to the pot. Bring to a simmer.
  • Simmer for 10 minutes. Drop the meatballs into the soup and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
  • Add the zucchini and cook for 5 minutes more. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Sprinkle with chopped cilantro, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 678mg | Potassium: 1060mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 5580IU | Vitamin C: 24.2mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 4.2mg
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Filed Under: Dinner, Soup

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    Comments

    1. Christi says

      December 25, 2022 at 5:56 pm

      5 stars
      Your albondigas recipe was sooo very good! I’m taking the leftovers over to my sister in laws tomorrow so she can sample my new dish! I am famous for always adding or omitting things from recipes to fit what I like. Thank you for the wonderful soup while the temperature outside is 3 degrees here! Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas

      Reply
    2. Tara says

      November 6, 2022 at 1:18 pm

      What / how much is considered a serving?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 7, 2022 at 8:56 am

        It’s 1 1/2 cups

        Reply
    3. Catherine says

      November 5, 2022 at 12:40 pm

      Hi! I can’t wait to try this recipe. Will Jasmine rice work, or does it need to be long grain? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 7, 2022 at 8:59 am

        Jasmine rice should work fine!

        Reply
    4. Theresa says

      October 25, 2022 at 2:35 pm

      Could I do this in a crockpot?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        October 26, 2022 at 1:39 pm

        Yes that should work!

        Reply
    5. Crystal says

      October 18, 2022 at 7:12 am

      Can I used quinoa instead of rice?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        October 19, 2022 at 11:02 am

        I think it could work but I haven’t tested it this way!

        Reply
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