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Albondigas Soup (Mexican Meatball Soup) | Learn Recipe 2023

Albondigas soup is a traditional Mexican meatball soup (albondigas means “meatballs” in Spanish) that my mother has cooked for our family for more than 50 years.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Igredients
Instructions
Ser
ve

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 quarts chicken stock or beef stock

1 quart water

1/2 cup tomato sauce

1/2 pound green beans, strings and ends removed, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 large carrots, peeled and sliced

1/3 cup white rice

1 pound ground beef

1/4 cup (loosely packed) chopped fresh spearmint leaves

1/4 cup (loosely packed) chopped fresh parsley

1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups frozen or fresh peas

1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano

1 dash cayenne, optional

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Method

1.Make the soup base:
Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot (5-quart) over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook a minute more.

Add the stock, water, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the green beans and carrots.

2.Prepare the meatballs:
Mix the uncooked rice into the meat on a large bowl, along with the spearmint leaves and parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix in the raw egg.

Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs.

3.Add the meatballs to the soup, let simmer, and add peas:
Gently add the meatballs to the simmering soup, one at a time. Cover and let simmer for 1/2 hour.

Add the peas towards the end of cooking. Add a few pinches of oregano and sprinkle with salt and pepper, and a dash of cayenne, to taste.

4.Serve:
Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.