Spicy Meatballs

If you're looking for a summer time dish that can be made in under 30 minutes, you need to try these Spicy Meatballs! Make the meatballs and sauce ahead of time, then assemble in lettuce cups just before serving.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Mexican

Diet Diabetic, Kosher, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Low Salt

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 17

Total Time 27

Servings servings

Calories 305kcal

Author Alana Lieberman

Cost $15

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

1 pound (16 ounces) grass fed ground beef I used 85% lean, 15% fat
1 large egg
¼ cup plain breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon El Yucateco Red Chile Habanero Hot Sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Sauce

1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon El Yucateco Red Chile Habanero Hot Sauce
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

To Assemble

small lettuce cups iceberg or butter lettuce work great!
thinly sliced purple cabbage
matchstick carrots
thinly sliced green onion
cilantro
lime wedges

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon El Yucateco Red Chile Habanero Hot Sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper to a large bowl. Mix just to combine but do not overmix.
Form meat mixture into 1 ½ to 2-inch meatballs and place them spaced out on the baking sheet.
Bake meatballs in the oven for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 155 to 160 degrees F.
While meatballs cook, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet, add tomato sauce, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon El Yucateco Red Chile Habanero Hot Sauce, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Whisk to combine.
Simmer sauce, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn, for 3 to 5 minutes to thicken before adding in the meatballs. Coat each meatball in the sauce.
To assemble, place lettuce cups on a serving platter. Top with sliced purple cabbage and matchstick carrots. Add 1 to 2 meatballs on top. Serve garnished with green onions and fresh cilantro. Squeeze fresh lime juice over top.

Notes

Meatballs should be served warm. If making ahead, store meatballs with the sauce and reheat just before serving. Then, place on top of lettuce cups.
For a sweet and spicy dish, add 1 more tablespoon of light brown sugar to the sauce.

Nutrition