Albondigas al Chipotle (Meatballs in Smoky Chipotle Sauce)
Tender pork and beef meatballs simmered in a rich, smoky chipotle tomato sauce, served over Mexican red rice.
Made with Chipotle in adobo sauce (homemade) and Mexican red rice (arroz rojo). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time55 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.48 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix the pork and beef mince, egg, breadcrumbs, mint, cumin and half the salt in a bowl with your hands until just combined. Roll into 24 balls about the size of a golf ball.
- 2
Heat the oil in a wide, deep pan over a medium heat. Brown the meatballs in two batches for 5 minutes each, turning, then set aside.
10 min - 3
In the same pan cook the onion for 5 minutes, then the garlic for 30 seconds.
5 min 30 s - 4
Add the tomatoes, stock, remaining salt and your ready made chipotle adobo sauce (see the base recipe). Bring to a simmer.
- 5
Return the meatballs. Cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes, turning once, until cooked all the way through with no pink inside.
20 min - 6
Reheat your ready made Mexican red rice (see the base recipe) until steaming hot. Spoon the meatballs and sauce over the rice.
Tips
- Wet your hands when rolling the meatballs so the mixture does not stick, and keep them even in size so they cook at the same speed.
- Do not overmix the meat or the meatballs turn dense and rubbery.
- Check the meatballs are cooked by cutting one open. There should be no pink and the juices should run clear.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use only beef or only pork?
Yes. All beef is leaner and a little drier, so keep the sauce generous. All pork is richer and more tender.
Are these gluten free?
Yes, with gluten free breadcrumbs and gluten free stock. Check the labels on both.
Can I bake the meatballs first?
Yes. Bake at {t200} for 15 minutes on a lined tray, then finish them in the sauce for 10 minutes.
More made with chipotle in adobo sauce (homemade)
Caldo Tlalpeño de Verduras (Smoky Chipotle Vegetable Soup)
VGVGFFlautas de Tinga de Pollo (Crispy Chicken Tinga Flautas)
GFEFNFTamales de Chipotle con Queso (Smoky Chipotle Cheese Tamales)
GFEFNFPescado Zarandeado con Tortillas (Chipotle Grilled Butterflied Fish)
DFEFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.