Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls Recipe

Introduction

These Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls offer a flavorful twist on classic meatballs, packed with bold spices and a hint of heat. Perfect for a fun appetizer or a satisfying main dish, they bring vibrant Mexican flavors to your table.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 jalapeño pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 can (15 oz) Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies
• Fresh lime wedges, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped onion, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Step 3: Add the shredded cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips to the mixture, ensuring everything is thoroughly combined.
4. Step 4: Pour the beaten egg into the mixture and mix well. The egg will help bind the ingredients together.
5. Step 5: Using your hands, form the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs.
6. Step 6: Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat.
7. Step 7: Add the meatballs to the skillet, searing them until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
8. Step 8: Pour the can of Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies over the meatballs in the skillet.
9. Step 9: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
10. Step 10: Serve hot with lime wedges on the side for an extra zesty kick.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, include the seeds of the jalapeño or add a dash of hot sauce to the mixture.
• Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
• Serve with warm tortillas or over rice for a fuller meal.
• Fresh cilantro on top adds a bright, fresh flavor before serving.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. For longer storage, freeze the meatballs in sauce for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs up to the searing step, then cover and refrigerate them for a few hours before cooking. Alternatively, make the entire dish ahead and reheat when ready to serve.

What can I serve with these spicy meatballs?

These meatballs pair well with rice, warm tortillas, or a crisp green salad. Serving with lime wedges enhances the flavors with a fresh citrus note.

Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 149 reviews

• Author: anna
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls are flavorful meatballs packed with ground beef, fresh herbs, and bold spices inspired by Mexican cuisine. Seared to develop a savory crust and then baked in zesty Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies, these meatballs offer a perfect blend of smoky, spicy, and cheesy tastes. Served with fresh lime wedges, they make a great appetizer or main dish with a tangy twist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 jalapeño pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce and Garnish

• 1 can (15 oz) Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies
• Fresh lime wedges, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs later.
2. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped onion, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices.
3. Add Cheese and Chips: Incorporate the shredded cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips into the meat mixture, mixing thoroughly to combine all flavors and textures.
4. Bind with Egg: Pour the beaten egg into the mixture and mix well. The egg acts as a binder to help hold the meatballs together during cooking.
5. Form Meatballs: Using your hands, shape the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs to ensure even cooking.
6. Sear Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat, then add the meatballs. Sear them until browned on all sides, approximately 5 minutes, to create a flavorful crust.
7. Add Sauce: Pour the Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies over the seared meatballs in the skillet, coating them with sauce.
8. Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through.
9. Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot, garnished with fresh lime wedges to add a zesty brightness.

Notes

• For extra heat, leave some seeds in the jalapeño pepper or add a dash of cayenne pepper to the mixture.
• Ensure the skillet used for searing is ovenproof to allow seamless transfer to the oven.
• Serve with rice, tortillas, or a fresh salad to complete the meal.
• The crushed tortilla chips add a nice crunch and help retain moisture in the meatballs.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: Mexican meatballs, spicy meatballs, baked meatballs, ground beef recipe, jalapeño meatballs, cheesy meatballs