Description
Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls are flavorful beef meatballs infused with bold Mexican spices, fresh cilantro, jalapeño, and cheddar cheese. Searing them first locks in the juices, then baking them with Mexican-style tomatoes creates a delicious, saucy dish perfect for a satisfying meal. Garnished with lime wedges, these meatballs offer a vibrant, spicy taste with a comforting texture.
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 the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs once seared.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, blend together the ground beef, chopped onion, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly mixed.
- Add cheese and tortilla chips: Mix in shredded cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips to the meat mixture to enhance texture and flavor.
- Incorporate egg: Pour in the beaten egg and mix thoroughly to bind all ingredients together.
- Form meatballs: Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs for even cooking.
- Sear the meatballs: Heat olive oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides for about 5 minutes to develop a flavorful crust.
- Add tomatoes: Pour the can of Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies over the seared meatballs in the skillet.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked through.
- Serve with lime: Remove from the oven and serve hot, garnished with fresh lime wedges for a zesty finish.
Notes
- Deseeding the jalapeño reduces heat; leave seeds in for spicier dishes.
- Use an ovenproof skillet to avoid transferring meatballs to another dish for baking.
- Crushed tortilla chips add crunch and help bind the meatballs.
- Serve with rice or tortillas for a complete Mexican-inspired meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
