Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. These delicious meatballs are packed with bold Mexican flavors that will leave your taste buds craving more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Great flavors: The combination of spices like cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika creates a delicious and zesty taste.
- Quick prep time: These meatballs come together in no time, making them perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
- Perfect for meal prep: Make a batch of these meatballs ahead of time for easy meal prep throughout the week.
Ingredient Notes:
- Ground beef: Adds a rich and savory flavor to the meatballs.
- Onion, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic: These aromatics bring a depth of flavor to the dish.
- Spices: Cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika add a Mexican flair to the meatballs.
- Cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips: Provide a cheesy and crunchy texture to the meatballs.
- Egg: Helps bind the ingredients together.
- Olive oil: Used for cooking the meatballs.
- Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies: Adds a tangy and spicy kick to the dish.
- Lime wedges: For a fresh and citrusy garnish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, spices, cheddar cheese, tortilla chips, and beaten egg.
- Form the mixture into meatballs and brown them in a skillet with olive oil.
- Add the Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through.
- Serve the meatballs with fresh lime wedges for a burst of citrus flavor.
Helpful Tips:
- For a spicier kick, leave the seeds in the jalapeño pepper.
- Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Use lean ground beef to avoid excess grease in the meatballs.
- Let the meatball mixture sit in the fridge for 30 minutes before forming them to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve the meatballs on a bed of rice or with a side of Mexican street corn for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions:
These Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls pair well with a side of Mexican rice, black beans, and a refreshing margarita for a festive meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
To store leftovers, place the meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I freeze these meatballs? Yes, you can freeze the cooked meatballs for up to 3 months.
- Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef? Yes, ground turkey is a great alternative for a lighter option.
- How spicy are these meatballs? The level of spiciness can be adjusted by adding more or less jalapeño pepper.
- Can I make these meatballs ahead of time? Yes, these meatballs are perfect for meal prep and can be made ahead of time.
Conclusion:
Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls are a delicious and flavorful dish that is sure to impress your family and friends. Give this recipe a try and let us know how it turns out! Enjoy!
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Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls are flavorful meatballs with a kick, perfect for a party or game day snack. They are made with ground beef, jalapeño, spices, and cheese, then baked to perfection.
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
For Serving:
- 1 can (15 oz) Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies
- Fresh lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, combine ground beef, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cheddar cheese, tortilla chips, and beaten egg.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for about 20-25 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs with Mexican-style tomatoes and garnish with fresh lime wedges.
Notes
- You can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less jalapeño.
- These meatballs can be served as appetizers or as a main dish with rice or tortillas.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg