Whether you're serving them up as an appetizer or as a sandwich, this recipe for spicy meatballs slathered in a spicy chipotle-lime sauce is sure to please. Make a big batch and freeze them for easy cooking!
Spicy Meatballs Recipe in Chipotle-Lime Sauce
Meatballs! Oh yes! Meatballs are ALWAYS a popular food. They are the perfect little bite, just right to serve up in party situations.
Of course you can make them very large if you'd like, but forming them into tiny little balls just slightly less than about 1 ounce, you'll guarantee a party appetizer that will disappear in no time.
Trust me on this!
Of course parties are GREAT for making the meatballs, but there are other reasons to make meatballs, like... JUST BECAUSE.
Seriously, why do we need an actual REASON for making meatballs other than the fact that they taste crazy AWESOME? We don't! At least I don't.
Patty and I love a good meatball, and they're really not difficult to make in the slightest, so yep, meatballs are on the menu often.
They're great for piling up over lightly toasted buns for a tasty meatball sandwich.
Or just skip the bread and serve them on their own, or perhaps over rice or with cooked noodles.
So many ways to enjoy meatballs!
Spicy Meatballs in Chipotle-Lime Sauce Ingredients
- Ground Beef.
- Ground Pork.
- Eggs.
- Onion. Chopped.
- Jalapeno Peppers. Chopped.
- Garlic Cloves. Chopped.
- Chipotle Sauce.
- Taco Seasoning Blend.
- Cumin.
- Panko Breadcrumbs.
- Chicken Broth.
For the Chipotle-Lime Sauce
- Olive Oil.
- Onion. Small, chopped.
- Jalapeno Pepper. Chopped.
- Garlic Cloves. Chopped.
- Chipotle Sauce.
- Tomato Paste.
- Honey.
- Chicken Broth.
- Lime Juice.
One thing I've been doing lately is making extra large batches of meatballs, then freezing some of them so that I can cook them up quickly later on. It's easy. Once your meatballs are formed, just set them onto a lined baking sheet then set them into the freezer.
Once they are frozen through, scoop them into a plastic bag and seal them up until you need them, then cook them up in the oven. I've made them ahead like this, brought them to a party, and cooked them in the host's kitchen.
Works great!
I made these slightly spicy with jalapeno peppers in the mix, though you can easily adjust the heat level up or down to your personal preference. Incorporate hotter peppers to up that heat level. Serranos are always good here, though a habanero pepper will REALLY up that heat level.
Or, incorporate a spicy chili powder or chili flakes, or some of your favorite spicy seasonings to zest them up.
You'll get plenty of ZING from the chipotle-lime sauce, though, so no need to go TOO crazy with the extra spices. I got you covered!
Let me know how these turn out for you, okay? Curious to hear how you like them! Enjoy...
Recipe Tips & Notes
- You can make these meatballs very large if you'd like, but forming them into tiny little balls just slightly less than about 1 ounce, you'll guarantee a party appetizer that will disappear in no time.
- Consider making extra large batches of meatballs, then freezing some of them so that you can cook them up quickly later on.
- I made these slightly spicy with jalapeno peppers in the mix, though you can easily adjust the heat level up or down to your personal preference.
Storage & Leftovers
Storing your Spicy Meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge may allow to keep them for up to 3-4 days. To maximize the storage life, make sure to refrigerate the dish promptly and reheat properly.
Try Some of My Other Popular Spicy Meatball Recipes
If you make this recipe, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #ChiliPepperMadness on Instagram so we can take a look. I always love to see all of your spicy inspirations. Thanks! -- Mike H.
Spicy Meatballs in Chipotle-Lime Sauce – Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 eggs
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 jalapeno peppers chopped
- 6 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup chicken broth
FOR THE CHIPOTLE-LIME SAUCE
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 5 ounce can chipotle sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ cup chicken broth
- Juice from 1 lime
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Mix the ground beef and pork together in a large bowl with the eggs, onion, peppers, garlic, chipotle sauce, seasonings, panko and broth. Hand mix, but do not overmix, or the meatballs can become mealy.
- Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1.25 inches in diameter. I usually get 40 meatballs out of this recipe.
- Set them onto a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake them for 30-40 minutes, or until they are cooked through.
- While the meatballs are cooking, heat a large pot to medium heat and add the olive oil.
- Add the onion and jalapenos. Cook them down for 5 minutes to soften.
- Add the garlic and cook another minute, stirring.
- Stir in the chipotle sauce, tomato paste, honey and chicken broth. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the meatballs are done.
- Swirl in the lime juice, then add the meatballs to the sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes or so, spooning the sauce over the meatballs.
- Serve on buns for sandwiches or on an appetizer platter for a party.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Rem says
Wow! I'm certainly going to make more of those soon! Awesome on a bun covered with melted Jack cheese. Thanx for yet another great recipe.
Mike Hultquist says
Great way to serve it, Rem! I'm trying that! Thanks.
Remy says
Hi Mike I cannot find any chipotle sauce in my area. Can I substitute with puréed chipotles in adobo sauce?
Mike Hultquist says
Remy, yes, that is the perfect substitute. Same flavor, really. Enjoy!
Deana says
Can I used a jar of jalapenos or do I need fresh?
Mike Hultquist says
You can use jarred, Deana. Fresh is best, but jarred work when that's all you have. =)
Judy Jacobi says
THANK YOU for so many lo-carb (KETO friendly) recipes with such great flavor! Everything I've tried has been packed with flavor and is either low in carbs or easily adaptable. In this recipe I omitted the honey, mixed my own taco seasoning (some have corn syrup solids or sugar) and substituted the bread crumbs with almond flour. They were amazing! Also thank you for turning me on to new flavors like Jamaican Curry and giving me new applications for ingredients I already use. Brilliant!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks so much, Judy! Super happy you're finding lots of recipes you enjoy! Cheers! And thanks for sharing. =)
Terry says
Hi Mike,
I am not familiar with the 5 oz can of chipotle sauce. Is this chipotle peppers in adobo sauce? I’ve done a few searches but cannot find anything else other than bottled chipotle hot sauce.
Thanks!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Terry, yes, basically the same thing. If you can only find the chipotles in adobo, you can process the whole thing to make a sauce. Enjoy!
EDDIE DROHAN says
The meatballs were nice and spicy. The sauce was delicious. Served over brown rice. Recommend this recipe to all
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Eddie. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Dave Gingerich says
Double the sauce!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Oh yeah! Always room for more sauce!