Hot Tamale Meatballs

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Spice up your dinner routine with these bold and flavorful Hot Tamale Meatballs! Packed with a mouthwatering blend of ground beef, ground pork, and cornmeal, these tender meatballs are seasoned to perfection with chili powder, cumin, and paprika. Simmered in a rich tomato sauce infused with diced green chiles and a touch of chicken broth, every bite delivers a smoky, slightly spicy kick reminiscent of classic tamales. Perfect as a zesty appetizer, taco filling, or served over rice, this easy 45-minute recipe (prep and cooking included) is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Garnished with fresh cilantro, these meatballs are a vibrant, protein-packed dish you’ll want to make again and again!

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 30 min
• Total Time: 45 min
• Servings: 4 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

18 items

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 0.5 lb Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Cornmeal
• 1 large Egg
• 3 tbsp Milk
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp Onion powder
• 1 tsp Ground cumin
• 1.5 tsp Chili powder
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 1 15-oz can Crushed tomatoes
• 1 4-oz can Diced green chiles
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 0.5 cup Chicken broth
• 2 tbsp Fresh cilantro

📝 Instructions

7 steps

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, cornmeal, egg, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.

2. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside on a plate or tray.

3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total. Remove the browned meatballs and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, add the crushed tomatoes, diced green chiles (with their juice), tomato paste, and chicken broth. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

5. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Add the meatballs back into the skillet, ensuring they are coated in the sauce.

6. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F/71°C).

7. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve warm. These meatballs pair perfectly with rice, tortillas, or as an appetizer on their own.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (403.9g)

Calories		661
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		43.6 g	56%
	Saturated Fat	14.5 g	73%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	4.0 g
Cholesterol		164 mg	55%
Sodium		833 mg	36%
Total Carbohydrate		31.9 g	12%
	Dietary Fiber	4.8 g	17%
	Total Sugars	7.3 g
Protein		35.5 g	71%
Vitamin D		0.6 mcg	3%
Calcium		80 mg	6%
Iron		4.8 mg	27%
Potassium		888 mg	19%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1572 cal (59.2%%)

Protein: 569 cal (21.4%%)

Carbs: 513 cal (19.3%%)