This albondigas soup recipe was one of my family’s favorite dinners growing up. This traditional Mexican recipe is made in a slow cooker with meatballs, fresh vegetables and spices. This crock pot recipe will quickly become one of your favorites!
Mexican recipes have always been my favorite type of food to make and eat. Some of my other favorite Mexican recipes are these Homemade Chicken Enchiladas, Tilapia Fish Tacos and a refreshing glass of Horchata.
What Is Albondigas?
Growing up, my family had a very favorite Mexican restaurant we ate at all. the. time. While the girls ate way too many chips with delicious salsa, my dad and brother would always order Sopa de Albondigas as an appetizer.
Albondigas (pronounced All-bone-dig-us) is Spanish for “Meatball Soup” and it is delicious!!! Basically, it’s a delicious soup filled with meatballs and several fresh vegetables.
Mexican Albondigas Soup
My entire family has fallen in love with this soup. My oldest would eat it every day if he could.
After ordering it all the time at the restaurant, my dad came up with his own homemade recipe and has now been making it for years. Unfortunately for me, he never keeps track of what he is tossing in the pot, so duplicating his version is not going to happen exactly.
I did help him make this albondigas soup one Sunday afternoon so basis of this recipe is from that day. I then took his recipe and simplified it using a slow cooker. So while my dad slaves away at the stockpot all afternoon, I can toss mine in the crock pot and still get the same delicious flavors. Here is how to make it:
What Goes In Albondigas Soup
- Meatballs
- Beef broth
- Carrots
- Celery sticks
- Potatoes
- White onion
- Salsa
- Fresh cilantro
- Salt & pepper
How To Make Crock Pot Albondigas Soup
Meatballs – After a long day, I am all about making things easier when it comes to dinner prep. In the albondigas soup recipe below, I suggest using frozen meatballs because it’s easier and faster. If you want to spoil yourself, I would suggest making these Homemade Meatballs ahead of time and using them instead of the frozen ones.
Vegetable Prep – Wash & cut all of the vegetables into smaller bite-sized pieces.
Combine – Put all of the ingredients, except for the cilantro and salt & pepper, into the crock pot.
Cook – You can cook the albondigas soup all day on the low setting. If you’re short on time, you can cook it on high for at least 4 hours.
Final Touches – Before serving, sprinkle the cilantro over the top and then salt and pepper the soup to taste.
Recipe Tip – If you prefer a little kick to your albondigas, add some diced jalapeños to the soup recipe.
Can You Freeze Albondigas Soup?
Freezing – Yes, you can definitely freeze this soup. Once the soup has cooled, I typically just pour the leftovers into a Ziplock freezer bag. If you don’t have these, any air-tight container will do.
Reheating – When you’re ready to use it, thaw the leftovers in the refrigerator overnight and then either warm it up on the stove or in the microwave.
More Easy Soup Recipes
- Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
- Cheesy Ham & Potato Soup
- Copycat Zuppa Toscana Soup
- Easy Baked Potato Soup
- Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Albondigas Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups of beef broth
- 5 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery sticks, sliced
- 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 meduim white onion, diced
- 1 jar of salsa, approx. 2 cups
- 1 small bag of frozen meatballs, approx. 20
- chopped fresh cilantro, optional
- salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Toss all ingredients into crock pot, except the cilantro, salt and pepper.
- Cook on low all day or on high for 4 hours or until meatballs are heated through.
- Sprinkle with cilantro before serving, if desired and season with salt and pepper.
Notes
Nutrition
Other Notes
ENJOY!
Do you precooked the meatballs, or use are meatballs?
Typically I’ll use the precooked meatballs for this recipe.
Hearty & full of flavor! This will be added to our weekly menu!
This is one of my hubby’s favorite recipes! I will definitely be making it again soon!
Thanks Beth!
My parents were in town this weekend so I made it for my mom because it’s her favorite. It was super easy and she even asked me for “my” recipe. LOL
That’s awesome! I’m so glad she loved it!
Hi ans Thank you for answering all my questions..
i appreciate it all !
Of course! I appreciate you stopping by! Thanks Loretta!
Thanks :0)
Hi , making this for dinner tonight , did all what the recipe says and its filled up to the very top. I hope the veggies shrink done a bit. This does not specify what potatoes and what size they should be ,or what size of a white onion. It would be nice it it was a bit more specific .
Hi Loretta, I use large russet potatoes and a medium onion. I’ll fix the recipe card to reflect this! 🙂 I hope you love it!
Hi ,what broth there was left, it was really yummy, but we like more soup ,next time not putting 5 carrots putting 3 and 1 1/2 celery and 1/2 onion..it just to much veggis for us .My husband likes much more broth and not a lot of veggies.
Thanks
HI ,you have chicken broth listed in your how to do explanation area but you have beef broth in your written recipe.
is it chicken or beef because ?
Good catch – it is definitely beef broth! 🙂
Cant wait to make this! But curious.. can I just stick the meatballs in as soon as I’m done make them? Instead of baking them..?
I’ve never tried it before, so I’m not sure how well they’ll hold up cooking in the crock pot. If you try it, just be sure they’re in there long enough to cook all the way through.
If I make the homemade meatballs, do I freeze them before putting them in the soup? Or just plunk em in once they’re done baking?
When I’ve used homemade meatballs, I just add them in once they’re done baking.
Thanks! Made the soup last night with frozen ones, just because I was short on time. It’s delish! Do you ever substitute rice or pasta for the potatoes?
So glad to hear you liked it! I’ve never made it with rice or pasta so if you do, let me know how it turns out!
This recipe was amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Pam! This albondigas soup is definitely one of my comfort foods.
I’ve never heard of this soup, but now I can’t wait to TRY it! YUM!
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to make it for my family!
I LOVE albondigas! It’s one of my all time favorite meals 🙂
We love the flavors in this soup! I can’t wait to make it again soon
Thanks, I’m so glad you enjoyed it as much as I do!
Hi What type and brand of salsa did you use
Thanks
I’ve used several different brands but I prefer the brands that you find in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.
Hello what is the name of the salsa u use?
I’ve used several so any jarred salsa should work great!
Hi , i would like to cook this on low ,i know you mentioned all day, but how many hours for low
thanks
I usually have it cooking for at least 7 hours.