Lemon sauce meatballs is a dish that combines the tradition of classic meatballs with a fresh and tangy touch thanks to the lemon sauce. Meatballs have a very ancient origin, with roots in various cultures around the world, but it is in Mediterranean and Latin American cuisines where they have found countless variations. In Latin American countries, meatballs have different names and preparations: in Mexico they are usually served with red or green sauces, in Argentina they are enjoyed as part of stews or with mashed potatoes, and in countries like Colombia and Venezuela they are included in broths or soups. This dish is known as "albóndigas" in most Spanish-speaking countries, but it may also be called "bolitas de carne" or simply "bola de carne" in some regions. The lemon sauce that accompanies this recipe provides a refreshing flavor that contrasts very well with the texture and flavor of the meat.
Lemon sauce meatballs
How to prepare Lemon Sauce Meatballs
To begin, prepare the lemon sauce by combining an 8 oz can of tomato sauce with the zest of two lemons, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste, and a tablespoon of chopped mint. This mixture will be the fresh and aromatic base for the sauce that will accompany the meatballs.
In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients for the meatballs: ground beef, bread, garlic, parsley, mint, paprika, salt, pepper, and eggs. Make sure to integrate all the elements well until you get a homogeneous mixture.
Form balls the size of a walnut with this mixture, shaping them uniformly so they cook evenly.
Carefully place the meatballs in the slow cooker, distributing them evenly so the sauce can cover them completely.
Pour the prepared lemon sauce over the meatballs in the pot, making sure they are well covered by the liquid mixture.
Cover the pot and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to become tender and juicy.
Finally, serve the meatballs with white rice on the side, enjoying a delicious and balanced combination.
Ingredients (13)
- Beef
- Bread
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Mint
- Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
- Eggs
- Tomato Sauce
- Lemons
- Lemon Juice
- Salt And Pepper
Instructions (10 steps)
- 1 Lemon sauce: 8 oz can of tomato sauce
- 2 zest of 2 lemons
- 3 1/4 cup of lemon juice
- 4 salt and pepper to taste
- 5 1 tablespoon of chopped mint
- 6 Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs and form walnut-sized balls
- 7 Place in the slow cooker
- 8 Mix the sauce ingredients and pour over the meatballs
- 9 Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours
- 10 Serve with rice