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Spicy Meatballs in Chipotle-Lime Sauce served on a white plate
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5 from 3 votes

Spicy Meatballs in Chipotle-Lime Sauce – Recipe

Whether you're serving them up as an appetizer or as a sandwich, this recipe for meatballs slathered in a spicy chipotle-lime sauce is sure to please. Make a big batch and freeze them for easy cooking!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 300kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist

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

Heat Level: Medium
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 prefernce. 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal