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You are here: Home / Beef / Pan-Fried Meatballs

Pan-Fried Meatballs

Douglas Cullen, This blog generates income via ads and affiliate links which earn us a small commission.

Croquetas de Carne de Res

Mexican style pan-fried meatballs stuffed with onion and cilantro, a simple dish that is easy to adapt to your tastes. Add some serrano chile, a touch of garlic, some crumbled queso fresco, or even some chopped chipotle peppers. Preparation is less than 30 minutes from start-to-finish to clean up.

Mexican Pan Fried Meatballs

These meatballs differ from the classic albóndigas as that rice isn’t mixed in with the ground beef and that each meatball doesn’t have a bit of hard-boiled egg in the center.

How to Make

Gather your ingredients first. You will need the following:

  • 2 lbs. ground beef (We prefer standard ground beef to low-fat ground beef because it makes a juicier meatball.)
  • ½ white onion
  • 12 sprigs cilantro
  • ½ tsp. black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt.
  • 5 tbsp. cooking oil
Ingredients to Make Pan Fried Meatballs

Steps

Remove the stems from the cilantro then finely chop the onion and cilantro. Reserve 1 teaspoon of cilantro to use to garnish the meatballs when served.

Finely Chopped Onion and Cilantro in Prep Bowls

Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Meatball Ingredients in Mixing Bowl

Thoroughly mix the ingredients with your hands. Gently compact the meat while mixing.

Mixed Meatball Ingredients in Stainless Mixing Bowl

Divide the mixture into 12 evenly sized balls. Use your hands to shape each ball into a slightly flattened egg-shaped pattie.

HForming Mexican Meatballs

Refrigerate the meatballs for 30 minutes to one hour. This step helps keep the meatballs together during cooking and allows the flavor from the onion and cilantro permeate the meat.

Dozen Formed Meatballs

Preheat 5 tablespoons of oil your frying pan to medium-hot then place the meatballs in the pan. Cook for 5 minutes until nicely browned.

Meatballs in Frying Pan

Turn the meatballs and cook for 5 more minutes.

Browning Meatballs in Skillet

How to Serve

Serve the meatballs with a side of rice or refried beans and your favorite salsa if you wish. Decorate the meatballs with a few bits of the reserved cilantro.

Plated Pan Fried Meatballs
Pan Fried Meatballs and White Rice
Closeup Skillet Meatballs

Variations

Here are a few variations on the meatballs that we like. The recipe is very adaptable. Mix and match add-ins to your tastes. Try these:

  • Spicy – Very finely chop ½ serrano pepper and mix with the other ingredients.
  • Garlicky – Very finely chop 2 cloves of garlic and mix with the other ingredients.
  • Cheesy – Crumble 3 ounces of queso fresco and mix well with the other ingredients.
  • Smoky – Chop two canned chipotle peppers in adobo and mix well with the other ingredients.
Mexican Skillet Meatballs
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Pan-fried Meatballs

Mexican style pan-fried meatballs stuffed with onion and cilantro, a simple dish that is easy to adapt to your tastes. Add some serrano chile, a touch of garlic, or some crumbled queso fresco. Preparation is less than 30 minutes from start-to-finish to clean up.
Course Dinner
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword ground beef, meatballs
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Servings 12 meatballs
Calories 657kcal
Author Andrés Carnalla

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. ground beef
  • ½ white onion
  • 12 sprigs cilantro
  • ½ tsp. black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt.
  • 5 tbsp. cooking oil

Instructions

  • Remove the stems from the cilantro then finely chop the onion and cilantro. Reserve 1 tsp. of cilantro to use to garnish the meatballs when served.
  • Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  • Thoroughly mix the ingredients with your hands. Gently compact the meat while mixing.
  • Divide the mixture into 12 evenly sized balls. Use your hands to shape each ball into a slightly flattened egg-shaped pattie.
  • Refrigerate the meatballs for 30 minutes to one hour.
  • Preheat 5 tablespoons of oil your frying pan to medium-hot then place the meatballs in the pan. Cook for 5 minutes until nicely browned.
  • Turn the meatballs and cook for 5 more minutes.

Notes

  • We prefer standard ground beef to low-fat ground beef because it makes a juicier meatball.
Variations
  • Spicy – Very finely chop ½ serrano pepper and mix with the other ingredients.
  • Garlicky – Very finely chop 2 cloves of garlic and mix with the other ingredients.
  • Cheesy – Crumble 3 ounces of queso fresco and mix well with the other ingredients.
  • Smoky – Chop two canned chipotle peppers in adobo and mix well with the other ingredients.
Serving
  • Serve the meatballs with a side of rice or refried beans and your favorite salsa if you wish. Decorate the meatballs with a few bits of the reserved cilantro.

Nutrition

Serving: 3meatballs | Calories: 657kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 53g | Sodium: 162mg | Sugar: 2g

More Mexican Beef Recipes

  • Authentic Albondigas
  • Beef Rolls in Tomato Sauce
  • Picadillo
  • Arrachera Tacos
  • Shredded Beef Tacos
  • Bistec a la Mexicana

More Beef

  • Birria with Consomé
  • Albondigas Mexicanas
  • Grilled Sirloin Cap Roast (Picaña)
  • Ribeye Tacos with Habanero Salsa

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Hola, I am Douglas. Let me share my love of Mexican Cuisine with you that developed over 20+ years of living in Mexico.

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D. Cullen Profile Picture

Hola, I am Douglas. Let me share my love of Mexican Cuisine with you that developed over 20+ years of living in Mexico.

More about me →


Most Popular Recipes

  • Classic Salsa Verde
  • Restaurant Style Salsa
  • Traditional Sopa de Fideo
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  • Beet Salad with Feta Cheese and Citrus Balsamic Viniagrette
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