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Chipotle Enchilada Meatballs

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 -8 servings
Author Amy Rains

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

  • 1.5 lbs grass fed ground beef
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper optional
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1 large egg whisked

For the Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp avocado or olive oil
  • 1.5 cups diced white onion
  • 3 cloves crushed garlic
  • 1.5 cups salsa verde*
  • 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce**
  • 2 tbsp adobo sauce
  • 1.5 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. For the Stovetop:
  2. Set your oven to broil.
  3. Make your meatballs: In a medium sized bowl, mix together ground beef spices, almond flour, and egg. Continue to mix with your hands until well combined. Roll into 1-2 inch balls (your choice, I prefer bigger meatballs). Place on a large roasting pan or cookie sheet. Move to the oven once hot, and broil for 4-5 minutes. Meatballs won't be cooked all the way, but will cook more with the sauce.
  4. Now make your sauce: In a large saucepan, heat up your oil over medium- medium high heat. Add your onions and garlic. Saute for 5-6 minutes until fragrant. Now add in salsa verde, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and chicken broth. Let the flavors meld and cook for approximately 10 minutes. Place sauce in a food processor or blender (be careful with the heat in a blender, as the top will expand with heat and you should leave a hold or opening while blending). Add in cilantro, and continue to blend until smooth and well incorporated.
  5. Return the sauce back to your pan, and add meatballs (leaving behind any residual fat). Cook for another 15 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Serve hot!
  6. For the Slow Cooker:
  7. Set your oven to broil.
  8. Make your meatballs: In a medium sized bowl, mix together ground beef spices, almond flour, and egg. Continue to mix with your hands until well combined. Roll into 1-2 inch balls (your choice, I prefer bigger meatballs). Place on a large roasting pan or cookie sheet. Move to the oven once hot, and broil for 4-5 minutes. Meatballs won't be cooked all the way, but will cook more with the sauce.
  9. Now make your sauce: In a large saucepan, heat up your oil over medium- medium high heat. Add your onions and garlic. Saute for 5-6 minutes until fragrant. Now add in salsa verde, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and chicken broth. Let the flavors meld and cook for approximately 10 minutes. Place sauce in a food processor or blender (be careful with the heat in a blender, as the top will expand with heat and you should leave a hold or opening while blending). Add in cilantro, and continue to blend until smooth and well incorporated.
  10. Place meatballs inside the slow cooker, leaving behind the residual fat. Cover with your sauce. Cook on low for 4 hours. Serve hot!
  11. For the Instant Pot:
  12. Set your oven to broil.
  13. Make your meatballs: In a medium sized bowl, mix together ground beef spices, almond flour, and egg. Continue to mix with your hands until well combined. Roll into 1-2 inch balls (your choice, I prefer bigger meatballs). Place on a large roasting pan or cookie sheet. Move to the oven once hot, and broil for 4-5 minutes. Meatballs won't be cooked all the way, but will cook more with the sauce.
  14. To make the sauce: Place salsa verde, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, chicken broth and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Now set your instant pot to saute function. Once hot, add in oil and saute onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes. Add liquid ingredients to the instant pot and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  15. Place meatballs on top of the sauce, select cancel. Secure the lid, select manual function. Cook on high pressure for 7 minutes.
  16. Use a quick release, and serve hot!

Recipe Notes

*Salsa verde can be found in the Mexican section of your grocery store. Use a brand with minimal ingredients. The Trader Joe's brand is delicious and Paleo, Whole30 compliant.

**If following a strict Paleo or Whole30 diet, it is very difficult to find complaint Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Instead, you can substitute with 1 tbsp chipotle spice, 1 tbsp tomato paste, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine the three ingredients.