Imagine coming home to the rich, smoky aroma of Easy Chipotle Meatballs simmering away in your slow cooker, greeting you at the door. After a quick saute in the skillet, complex flavors develop as the meatballs slowly cook. By the time evening rolls around, you're welcomed by succulent, spicy meatballs that are bursting with flavor. Plus, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, so you can focus on unwinding after a long day.
Easy Chipotle Meatballs are the perfect way to spice up your dinnertime routine.
With juicy, tender meatballs infused with the smoky heat of chipotle peppers and simmered in a rich and savory sauce, you have a meal that is sure to bring a little zest to your dinner table.
Best of all, it doesn't require a lot of hands-on time or require that your pantry is full of exotic ingredients.
Whether you're looking to spice up your weeknight dinner routine with a healthy slow cooker recipe or impress guests without breaking a sweat, this recipe is your ticket to a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: We recommend using ground beef for its rich flavor and perfect texture. If you're looking to lean things down a bit, feel free to substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
- Onion: Chopped fine onion adds a sweetness and depth of flavor that's hard to beat. No onions at home? Try shallots or even a bit of onion powder in a pinch.
- Breadcrumbs: Use gluten-free or regular. Almond flour also works if you are watching carbs.
- Milk: Just a splash helps keep the meatballs moist. Dairy-free? Almond milk or any plant-based milk will do the trick - just make sure it is unsweetened.
- Eggs: Acting as a binder, lightly beaten eggs hold all the goodness together. For an egg-free version, consider a “flax egg” (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg).
- Chili Powder, Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Cumin, Sea Salt: This blend of spices and seasonings brings our meatballs to life with warmth and complexity. Feel free to adjust the amounts based on your taste preferences or swap out for any spices you love.
- Fire-Roasted Crushed Tomatoes: These add a smoky depth to our sauce. Can’t find fire-roasted? Regular crushed tomatoes will work just fine, perhaps with a dash more smoked paprika.
- Chicken Broth: This brings our sauce to the perfect consistency. You could use veggie broth or water if you prefer.
- Garlic: Fresh chopped garlic infuses our dish with that irreplaceable aroma and flavor. In a pinch, garlic powder is better than no garlic at all.
- Ground Coriander: Adds a lemony, floral note to the mix. No coriander? A little bit of lemon zest could mimic some of that brightness.
- Chipotles in Adobo: These bring the heat and the signature chipotle flavor. Adjust the amount based on your heat preference, or use a bit of smoked paprika and a dash of hot sauce if you're out.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro garnish adds a pop of color and freshness. Not a fan? Green onions or parsley can also dress up your meatballs beautifully.
Tips and Tricks
- Get Handsy with It: When mixing your meatball ingredients, don't be afraid to ditch the spoon and dive in with your hands! This not only ensures that everything is mixed thoroughly but also helps you feel the texture, making sure it's just right for forming those perfect meatballs.
- Ice Cream Scoop for the Win: For consistently sized meatballs, use a small ice cream scoop. Not only does this keep them uniform (hello, even cooking!), but it also saves you a ton of time.
- Brown is Beautiful: Don't rush the browning process of your meatballs in the skillet. That lovely, caramelized crust adds an incredible depth of flavor and texture.
- Slow and Low is the Way to Go: The slow cooker is your best friend here, allowing all those gorgeous flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Spice to Your Liking: The chipotles in adobo add a kick that's hard to beat, but remember, not all taste buds are created equal. Feel free to adjust the amount to suit your family’s spice tolerance.
- Freeze for Later: If you're like me and always looking for a quick meal solution, these meatballs freeze beautifully. Just lay them out on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then pop them into a freezer bag. Voila! A homemade meal is ready when you are.
- Make It a Meal: Serve these beauties over a bed of fluffy rice, quinoa, or even zoodles for a complete, satisfying dish. The sauce from the meatballs acts as the perfect "gravy" to tie everything together.
More Meatball Recipes
- Greek Meatballs with Feta Sauce: Imagine biting into tender, herby meatballs while a creamy feta sauce dances on your taste buds.
- Meatball Casserole: On nights when comfort food is calling your name, this Meatball Casserole answers with a hearty hello. It's like a warm hug in a dish, and even the pickiest eaters at my table ask for seconds.
- Vegetarian Quinoa Meatballs: These Vegetarian Quinoa Meatballs are packed with flavor and protein, proving once and for all that plants can party too. They're a hit in my household on Meatless Mondays!
- Turkey Quinoa Meatballs: Lean, mean, and oh-so-satisfying, these Turkey Quinoa Meatballs are my go-to when I'm looking for a lighter option that doesn't skimp on flavor. They're perfect for meal prep and pack a protein punch that keeps us going.
Easy Chipotle Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion chopped fine
- 1 cup gluten free breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt divided
- 28 oz fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- 3 chipotles in adobo chopped
- Cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine ground beef, onion, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon cumin and ¾ teaspoon sea salt. Using a tablespoon, scoop meat out and form into meatballs.
- Preheat a skillet to medium and spray well with oil. Cook meatballs until browned. Coat a slow cooker with cooking spray and transfer meatballs. In a blender, combine tomatoes, chicken broth, garlic, coriander, chipotles and remaining ½ teaspoon cumin and ¾ teaspoon sea salt. Process until smooth. Pour on top of meatballs and cook on high for 3 hours.
Shannon Graham
You had me at chipotle! YUM!