Smoky Chipotle Meatballs with Cilantro-Lime Rice

Fragrant, flavorful cilantro-lime rice is always delicious, but you can make it a meal by pairing it with smoky chipotle meatballs. This is a delicious summertime recipe that makes for great leftovers when you double the batch!

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword Cilantro Lime, Meatballs, Rice

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1

Servings servings

Calories 607kcal

Author Cara Harbstreet

Ingredients

Smoky Chipotle Meatballs

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup minced red onion
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tbsp cumin
1 tsp ground chipotle
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp kosher salt

Cilantro-Lime Rice

1 cup U.S.-grown brown basmati rice
4-5 cups water
1/4 tsp kosher salt or to taste
2 tbsp grapeseed oil
2 tbsp lime juice
1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
kosher salt and pepper to taste

For Serving

Diced cherry tomatoes
Grated queso fresco
Additional cilantro
Crema or sour cream

Instructions

To Make the Brown Rice

Gently rinse and drain the uncooked rice and measure the water. Bring the water to a boil, salt the water to taste, then add the rice. Reduce heat and maintain a steady boil for 30 minutes, uncovered.
Drain the cooked brown rice in a colander, then return to the saucepan. Cover, then allow the rice to sit (off heat) for 10 minutes while you finish preparing the meatballs and garnishes.
Remove the lid and fluff with a rice paddle or fork. Add the remaining ingredients for the Cilantro-Lime rice and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with the accompanying meatballs and garnishes.

To Make the Meatballs

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Add all ingredients for the meatballs to a large mixing bowl. With clean or gloved hands. Mix together, being careful to overwork the ground beef to avoid a tough texture.
Once well mixed, shape into golf-ball-sized meatballs (about 3/4 oz) and place on a lined baking sheet 1/2" to 1" apart. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the outside of the meatballs begins to brown and the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F.

To Serve

Assemble the bowls by serving the Cilantro-Lime Rice topped with 1/4 of the prepared meatballs. Top with diced tomatoes, additional cilantro, grated queso fresco, and crema or sour cream if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

If using a rice cooker, reduce the amount of water to 1 3/4 cups. Add the water, rice, and salt to the bowl of the rice cooker and follow the settings/directions for brown rice (adjust cook time as needed).

Nutrition