Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls Recipe
These Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls are flavorful, tender meatballs made with ground beef, jalapeño, and a blend of Mexican spices. They are seared to perfection on the stovetop, then baked in a rich sauce of Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies, topped with cheddar cheese and tortilla chips for a delicious twist. Garnished with fresh lime wedges, this dish offers a delightful balance of heat, smokiness, and tangy freshness, perfect for a hearty and comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs after searing.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with chopped onion, fresh cilantro, diced jalapeño, minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to blend all flavors.
- Add Cheese and Chips: Incorporate the shredded cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips into the meat mixture, ensuring even distribution for texture and flavor.
- Bind the Meatballs: Pour the beaten egg into the mixture, mixing well. The egg acts as a binder to help keep the meatballs together during cooking.
- Shape Meatballs: Use your hands to form the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs, making sure they are compact and uniform for even cooking.
- Sear Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and sear them on all sides until browned, about 5 minutes, to develop flavor and texture.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour the can of Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies evenly over the seared meatballs in the skillet, ensuring they are partially submerged in the sauce.
- Bake Meatballs: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through and internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot, garnished with fresh lime wedges for an optional zesty squeeze that brightens the flavors.
Notes
- The jalapeño pepper can be adjusted based on your heat preference; include seeds for more spice.
- Using an ovenproof skillet is essential for transferring the meatballs directly from stovetop to oven.
- Check the internal temperature of meatballs to ensure they are fully cooked to 160°F (71°C) for safety.
- Serve with extra crushed tortilla chips or rice for a complete meal.
- Fresh lime wedges add a nice brightness and acidity to balance the richness of the meatballs.
Keywords: Mexican meatballs, spicy meatballs, baked meatballs, ground beef recipe, jalapeño meatballs, Mexican cuisine
