Go Back
Albondigas

Albondigas (Meatballs) in Chipotle Sauce with Spanish Rice

5 from 4 votes
Albondigas in Chipotle Sauce is a traditional Mexican dish featuring meatballs, or albondigas, that are simmered in a rich and smoky chipotle sauce. The meatballs are typically made with a mix of ground beef, rice, egg, herbs like cilantro, and seasonings. Once formed, they are cooked directly in a tomato-based sauce that gets its distinctive flavor from chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, which adds a smoky heat to the dish.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Servings4

Ingredients  

For the Albondigas (Meatballs)

  • 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef, 90% lean
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 5 fresh mint leaves, chopped (plus 2 whole sprigs for the sauce)
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, cut into small pieces
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1/4 tbsp ground black pepper

For the Chipotle Sauce

  • 3 tomatoes (jitomates)
  • 1 small onion, roughly chopped
  • 1-2 Chipotle peppers in adobo, to taste
  • 2 tbsp chicken bouillon (or chicken broth for a lighter flavor)
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil

For Serving

  • Cooked Spanish rice
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions 

Prepare the Meatballs

  1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped onion, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, chopped mint leaves, and the 2 beaten eggs. Mix well using your hands or a spatula until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
  2. Form small meatballs, about the size of a golf ball. As you shape each one, place a small piece of the hard-boiled egg in the center and carefully seal the meat around it, forming a smooth ball.
  3. Set the prepared meatballs aside.

Make the Chipotle Sauce

  1. In a blender, combine the tomatoes, roughly chopped onion, chipotle peppers, chicken bouillon, and 1 cup of water. Blend until you have a smooth sauce.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully pour in the tomato-chipotle sauce and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes fragrant.
  3. Add the whole mint sprigs to the sauce for extra flavor.

Cook the Albondigas

  1. Once the sauce is boiling, gently place the meatballs into the pot, making sure they are fully submerged in the sauce.
  2. Lower the heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer the meatballs in the sauce for 30 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Serve and Enjoy

  1. After 30 minutes, remove the pot from heat and discard the mint sprigs.
  2. Serve the albondigas hot with a side of fluffy Spanish rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired, and enjoy your hearty, flavorful albondigas in chipotle sauce!