Description
Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls are flavorful meatballs made from seasoned ground beef mixed with fresh herbs, cheese, and crushed tortilla chips, seared on the stovetop, then baked in a spicy tomato and green chili sauce. Perfectly zesty and cheesy, served with fresh lime wedges for an added citrus punch.
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, chopped onion, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly mixed.
- Add Cheese and Chips: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips to the meat mixture, ensuring everything is thoroughly combined for texture and flavor.
- Bind Mixture: Pour the beaten egg into the mixture and mix well; the egg acts as a binder to hold the meatballs together.
- Shape Meatballs: Using your hands, form the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs, making sure they are compact to prevent falling apart.
- Sear Meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and sear them until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes, to develop flavor and texture.
- Add Sauce: Pour the can of Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies over the browned meatballs in the skillet, coating them evenly.
- Bake Meatballs: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through and the sauce is bubbling.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot, garnished with fresh lime wedges for an extra zesty kick.
Notes
- Deseeding the jalapeño reduces the heat for a milder flavor; leave seeds if you prefer more spiciness.
- Using an ovenproof skillet saves on cleanup by allowing you to sear on the stove and finish cooking in the oven in one pan.
- Make sure the meatballs are compact to prevent them from falling apart during searing and baking.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, as canned tomatoes may vary in salt content.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the crushed tortilla chips are gluten-free.
