Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls Recipe

Introduction

These Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls are a flavorful twist on classic meatballs, packed with bold spices and a cheesy surprise. Perfect for a casual dinner or a fun appetizer, they bring a zesty touch to any meal.

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, leave the jalapeño seeds in or add a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture.
• Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
• Try adding a handful of chopped green onions for added freshness.
• If you don’t have tortilla chips, breadcrumbs or crushed crackers make good alternatives.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. For longer storage, freeze the cooked meatballs and sauce separately for up to 2 months.

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 and keep them refrigerated for a few hours before cooking, or freeze them raw. Just thaw completely before cooking.

What can I serve with these spicy meatballs?

They go great with rice, warm tortillas, or a fresh green salad to balance the flavors.

Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 130 reviews

These Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls are flavorful, tender beef meatballs infused with aromatic spices, fresh cilantro, and jalapeños, baked in a savory Mexican-style tomato sauce. Perfect as a hearty appetizer or main dish, they bring a deliciously spicy twist to classic meatballs, garnished with fresh lime for an extra zesty finish.

• Author: Leo
• 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 1x2x3x

Meatball Mixture

• 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

Cooking

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

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs after searing.
2. Make Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped onion, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all the spices and vegetables.
3. Add Binding Ingredients: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips ensuring they are well incorporated. Then, pour in the beaten egg and mix everything well to help bind the mixture.
4. Form Meatballs: Using clean hands, shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs, making sure they are even in size for consistent cooking.
5. Sear Meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and sear them, browning all sides evenly. This should take about 5 minutes and adds great flavor and texture.
6. Add Tomato Sauce: Pour the can of Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies over the seared meatballs in the skillet to coat them with the spicy sauce.
7. Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes, or until fully cooked through and tender.
8. Serve: Remove from oven and serve the spicy meatballs hot, garnished with fresh lime wedges to squeeze over for a bright, tangy finish.

Notes

• Deseeding the jalapeño controls the heat level; keep seeds if you prefer spicier meatballs.
• Use an ovenproof skillet for easy transfer from stovetop to oven without transferring meatballs.
• For a gluten-free option, verify that the crushed tortilla chips are gluten-free or substitute with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
• Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
• Serve with rice, tortillas, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Keywords: spicy meatballs, Mexican meatballs, baked meatballs, ground beef recipe, jalapeño meatballs, Mexican-style tomatoes, cilantro, easy dinner