Beef chili meatballs in tomato broth
Flavourful spicy beef chili meatballs in tomato broth are delish, healthy and baked in an oven.
I think I made beef chili hundreds of times and this time I thought, NO, it is too easy and too boring. I said to myself, FUCK IT, it and I went for a new take on my classic beef chili.
Here, I am sharing my recipe for beef chili meatballs baked in tomato butter broth , oh my, I am telling you guys, this is the real deal.
How to make beef chili meatballs in tomato broth
Minced beef - I used beef with 20% fat content for the best results. I have combined it with onions, chilies, limes, spices, eggs and breadcrumbs and of course red kidney beans and corn. I mean I just love this combo of spice, tanginess and sweetness. These beef chili meatballs are not shy with flavour, oh no!
Of course, I have to warn you that you need to be patient while making this dish. Making 60 meatballs may seem boring BUT it also can be treated as a calming exercise... After your calming exercise of rolling 60 meatballs you browned them on the pan. Easy. Then you place meatballs on a large baking tin, pour over tomato and butter broth and sprinkle cheese and bake your balls in the oven for about 20 minutes. As easy as that!
Tips to make the best meatballs:
- Do not be scared of fat. Fat means flavour, therefore I recommend using minced beef with 20% fat content.
- Mix meat with spices and the rest of the ingredients in advance and place bowl in the fridge. This will help flavours to blend nicely.
- These recipe if great for batch cooking. You can freeze cooked in meatballs for up to 3 months. This is a big batch meal as I always freeze my meatballs for the days when I am lazy and not bothered to cook. Or there may be the case that my better half forgot to make dinner and frozen meatballs come to rescue.
- I use kitchen scale to weigh meat, so I am sure the size of each meatball is the same.
What do beef chili meatballs in tomato broth taste like?
These beef chili meatballs are juicy and tender. They taste like beef chili - spicy, tangy, sweet and are baked in amazing tomato and butter broth. They are a perfect option for people on low carb diet. Serve with avocado, yoghurt and a choice of fresh vegetables.
If you are looking for more recipes with minced beef, I can recommend you the following:
Chives and chipotle beef burgers
Click this link to see all my recipes with minced beef
I hope you will make my recipe and if you do, please leave a comment below and let me know your feedback. You can also find me on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Gab and Gettr. Please say hi and do not forget to tag me in if you make my recipe. I love seeing your creations.
Recipe source – my own.
Buen provecho!
Flavourful beef chili meatballs baked in tomato butter broth.
- 1000 g beef (minced, 20% fat)
- 2 onions (large, peeled and cut into chunks)
- 2 egg (large)
- 9 garlic (cloves, peeled)
- 3 limes (juice from 3 limes)
- 100 g breadcrumbs (normal, not panko)
- 30 g coriander (fresh)
- 4 red chilies (seeds removed, chopped)
- 2 tbsp salt (table)
- 1 tbsp black pepper (powder)
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper (powder)
- 2 tbsp parsley (dried or fresh)
- 2 tbsp cumin (powder)
- 1 can red kidney beans (just beans, brine poured away, I used small can , 198g)
- 1 can corn (just corn, brine poured away, I used small can, 198g)
- oil (for frying)
- 400 ml chicken stock
- 200 g tomato puree (one tube)
- 80 g butter
- 300 g cheese (Mexicana and cheddar, mixed)
- tortilla
- romaine lettuce
- Greek yoghurt
- avocado
- tomatoe (sugardrop)
In a food processor add onions, chilies, lime juice, coriander and garlic. grind all ingredients into a paste. Set aside.
In a large bowl add meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, spices, corn and onion paste.
Using the same food processor put red kidney beans inside and pulse 3 times. This step is supposed to cut beans into smaller pieces BUT do not mash the beans.
Then add beans to the meat and using your hands mix all the ingredients very well. When all the ingredients are ready, cover the bowl with cling film and place bowl into the fridge for at least 1 hour.
Prepare large pan and vegetable oil.
Prepare large baking tray lined with foil.
In a medium cup add hot chicken stock, tomato puree and butter, mix it well and set aside.
When you are ready to cook, take the scale and portion meat into 50g balls. This is what I have done and I have ended up with 60 meatballs. You can portion your meatballs bigger or smaller.
Preheat the oven to 170C Fan.
Heat up a pan and brown all the meatballs in batches.
When all the meatballs are browned, transfer them on a prepared baking tray, pour over tomato butter broth. Scatter pieces of cheese and bake in he oven for about 20 min.
Serve hot on tortilla with lettuce, tomato, avocado and Greek yoghurt.
Drizzle with lime and sprinkle with chili flakes.