Description
Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls are a flavor-packed dish that combines juicy beef, fresh herbs, and a cheesy surprise, making them perfect for any gathering or cozy family dinner. Each meatball offers a delightful explosion of spices, thanks to the addition of jalapeños and a melty cheddar core. These savory bites are not only easy to prepare but also highly customizable to suit your heat preference. Whether served as an appetizer, in tacos, or on their own with fresh lime wedges, these meatballs are sure to impress and keep everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped 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 to 375°F (190°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips until evenly combined.
- Add the beaten egg and mix until everything is bound together.
- Form the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear meatballs until browned on all sides (about 5 minutes).
- Pour Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies over the meatballs and transfer the skillet to the oven.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches at least 160°F (71°C).
- Serve hot with fresh lime wedges.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 meatballs (110g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 60mg