The Zestiest Tex Mex Meatballs Recipe for Fun Family Dinners

Savory tex mex meatballs burst with vibrant southwestern flavors that dance across your palate like a culinary fiesta.

Spices weave magic through each tender bite, creating an irresistible blend of comfort and excitement.

Mexico’s bold seasonings inspire this hearty dish, promising a meal that sparks conversation and joy.

Cumin, chili powder, and cilantro infuse these protein-packed spheres with remarkable depth and character.

Perfectly seasoned ground beef becomes something extraordinary when mixed with zesty ingredients.

Jalapeños add a subtle kick that makes these meatballs impossible to resist.

Come explore a recipe that turns an ordinary dinner into an unforgettable flavor adventure.

Tex Mex Meatballs That Bring The Heat To Your Table

• Quick Weeknight Dinner Hero: Transform boring weeknight meals into a zesty fiesta with these mouthwatering Tex Mex Meatballs that come together in under 45 minutes.
• Family-Friendly Flavor Explosion: Kids and adults will love the spicy-cheesy combination that delivers bold Tex Mex flavors everyone can enjoy without complicated cooking techniques.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup by preparing this entire meal in a single cast-iron skillet, reducing dish washing and making meal preparation super convenient for busy home cooks.
• Customizable Spice Adventure: Easily adjust the chipotle sauce's heat level by adding more or less pepper, allowing each family member to personalize their dining experience according to their spice tolerance.

Ingredients for Tex Mex Meatballs

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: Hearty protein base for tender and flavorful meatballs, choose meat with moderate fat content for juiciness.
• Chorizo: Adds spicy and smoky flavor profile, optional but recommended for authentic Tex Mex taste.

• Breadcrumbs, Egg: Help bind meatballs together and provide structural integrity, use plain breadcrumbs for neutral flavor.
• Garlic, Onion Powder: Introduces deep savory notes, fresh minced garlic works as alternative.

• Chicken Broth: Creates liquid base for sauce, provides subtle depth and helps control sauce consistency.
• Chipotle Peppers in Adobo: Delivers signature smoky heat, key ingredient for Tex Mex flavor profile.
• Tomato Sauce: Provides rich, tangy foundation for enchilada-style sauce.
• Monterey Jack Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds creamy richness, sharp cheddar increases flavor complexity.

• Cumin, Chili Powder: Essential Tex Mex spice combination, ground spices ensure even distribution.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Fundamental seasoning for balancing overall taste.

• Fresh Cilantro: Bright, herbal finish that cuts through rich meatball dish.

Tex Mex Meatballs Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Craft Hearty Meatball Mixture

Grab a roomy mixing bowl and toss in ground meat with zesty seasonings.

Mix ingredients gently using your hands or a wooden spoon, ensuring everything blends smoothly without becoming tough.

Create uniform meatballs using a cookie scoop for consistent sizing.

• Ground beef
• Breadcrumbs
• Eggs
• Onion
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 2: Sizzle and Brown Meatballs

Heat a large cast-iron skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat.

Carefully place meatballs in the pan, rotating them to achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior on all sides.

This process locks in delicious flavors and creates a perfect crispy crust.

Step 3: Whip Up Spicy Chipotle Sauce

Combine all sauce ingredients in a high-speed blender.

Pulse and blend until smooth, adjusting liquid consistency as needed.

The sauce should have a rich, velvety texture that coats the meatballs perfectly.

• Canned chipotle peppers
• Tomato sauce
• Chicken broth
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Oregano

Step 4: Simmer and Infuse Flavors

Pour the vibrant chipotle sauce over browned meatballs.

Reduce heat and let everything simmer gently.

The sauce will thicken and the meatballs will continue cooking, absorbing all those incredible southwestern flavors.

Step 5: Melt Cheesy Goodness

Sprinkle a generous layer of cheese over the simmering meatballs.

Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt into a gooey, irresistible topping.

For extra pizzazz, pop under the broiler until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Step 6: Serve and Celebrate

Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve these mouthwatering Tex-Mex meatballs hot.

Perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Meatball Tips With Tex Mex Savory Blend

• Mix ingredients gently to avoid compacting the meat, which can lead to dense, hard meatballs. Light mixing keeps them tender and juicy.
• Start with less broth when blending, then gradually add more to achieve the perfect sauce thickness. This prevents a watery or overly thick sauce.
• Use a large skillet to give meatballs enough space while cooking. Turn them carefully to create a golden-brown crust on all sides for maximum flavor.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Let cheese melt naturally first, then broil briefly for a crispy top. Watch closely to prevent burning and achieve that perfect golden finish.

Best Ways to Store Tex Mex Meatballs and Enjoy Again

• Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Transfer cooled meatballs and sauce to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Properly stored, they will last 2-3 months. Label the container with the date for easy tracking.
• Place meatballs and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat. Stir gently and add a splash of broth if the sauce seems dry. Warm for 5-7 minutes until heated through, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Arrange meatballs in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until temperature reaches 165°F throughout.

Great Combos For Tex Mex Meatballs

• Boost Flavor Pairing: Complement the spicy, smoky Tex Mex Meatballs with crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial, cutting through the rich sauce and cleansing the palate.
• Create Texture Contrast: Serve warm, soft flour tortillas alongside the meatballs, perfect for soaking up the chipotle enchilada sauce and adding a delightful corn-based chewiness.
• Elevate Side Dish: Prepare Mexican-style cilantro lime rice with black beans, which provides a cool, fresh counterpoint to the hearty, spicy meatball dish and adds nutritional balance.
• Cool Down Accompaniment: Top the meatballs with a dollop of tangy Mexican crema or sour cream, offering a creamy, cooling element that softens the chipotle's heat and adds richness.

Spicy Styles of Tex Mex Meatballs

• Gluten-Free Meatball Variation: Replace breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free tortilla chips or almond flour to maintain texture while accommodating gluten sensitivities.
• Vegetarian Protein Option: Swap ground meat with plant-based crumbles or black beans mixed with quinoa, using similar spices to preserve the Tex Mex flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Friendly Version: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, and replace traditional breadcrumbs with finely grated parmesan cheese to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute cheese with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives, ensuring the meatballs remain creamy and flavorful while meeting dairy restriction needs.

FAQs

• What makes the Tex Mex Meatballs unique?

These meatballs combine traditional meatball techniques with vibrant Tex-Mex flavors, using a spicy chipotle enchilada sauce and blending Mexican-inspired ingredients like cheese and cilantro for a bold taste experience.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly as a leaner protein alternative. Just ensure the ground turkey has enough fat content (around 85/15) to keep the meatballs moist and flavorful.

• How do I know the meatballs are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 160°F (71°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into a meatball to ensure there’s no pink in the center.

• What if I don't have a high-speed blender for the sauce?

A regular blender or food processor works fine. If you don’t have either, you can whisk the sauce ingredients together, though the texture might be slightly less smooth.

Tex Mex Meatballs Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Tex-Mex meatballs bring spicy southwestern flair to your dinner table, promising a flavor explosion that dances between zesty and comforting. Packed with bold chili, cumin, and cilantro, these hearty meatballs will make you crave another bite before the first one ends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound lean ground beef (about 90% lean)
• 0.5 pound ground pork
• 1 large egg

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 0.33 cup white or yellow onion, diced small
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 3–4 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1.5 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, finely minced, for garnish

Binding and Cheese:

• 0.5 cup crushed Ritz Crackers (seasoned bread crumbs or crushed Fritos may be substituted)
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, for browning

Chipotle Enchilada Sauce:

• 1 (15-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
• 2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce OR 0.25 cup chipotle sauce
• 0.25 cup white or yellow onion, diced small
• 2–3 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano (regular oregano may be substituted)
• 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth (plus more

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Instructions

1. Craft a savory mixture by gently combining ground meat with aromatic spices, herbs, and seasonings in a spacious mixing vessel. Blend ingredients meticulously without compressing the protein to maintain a tender texture.
2. Shape the protein mixture into uniform, compact spheres using a precise portioning tool, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
3. Activate a heavy-bottomed skillet with a drizzle of olive oil, heating to a shimmering temperature that facilitates rapid caramelization of the meatball exterior.
4. Carefully transfer meatballs into the sizzling pan, rotating periodically to achieve a rich, golden-brown crust on all surfaces.
5. Construct a vibrant chipotle enchilada sauce by pulverizing smoky peppers, tomatoes, and aromatic spices in a high-powered blending apparatus. Adjust liquid volume to create a smooth, pourable consistency.
6. Cascade the crimson sauce over the bronzed meatballs, reducing heat to allow gentle simmering and flavor melding.
7. Monitor the culinary alchemy as the sauce thickens and meatballs reach optimal internal temperature, occasionally stirring to prevent scorching.
8. Generously crown the dish with a cascade of shredded cheese, allowing it to melt into a molten blanket through residual heat or brief broiling.
9. Garnish with verdant cilantro leaves, presenting a visually stunning and flavor-packed Tex-Mex inspired creation ready for immediate consumption.

Notes

• Ensure even mixing of meatball ingredients by using a light touch, preventing dense and tough meatballs that can result from overmixing.
• Use a cookie scoop for consistent meatball size, promoting uniform cooking and professional-looking presentation.
• For a gluten-free version, swap breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds to maintain texture and binding.
• Control sauce thickness by gradually adding broth, allowing flexibility for desired consistency without compromising flavor intensity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg