Where does Albóndigas en salsa come from?

Albóndigas en salsa — country of origin: Spain.

What is Albóndigas en salsa made of?

Minced beef, minced pork, egg, bread, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, olive oil.

Which allergens does Albóndigas en salsa contain?

Contains cereals and gluten-containing products. Contains eggs and egg products.

Albóndigas en salsa

Spanish meatballs of minced meat bound with bread and egg, browned and then simmered in a tomato or almond-and-onion sauce. A common home and bar dish across Spain.

Also known as: Albóndigas de carne en salsa · Albondigas en salsa · Spanish meatballs in sauce

Allergens & declarations

Contains

Cereals (gluten)

Wheat

Contains cereals and gluten-containing products

Egg

Contains eggs and egg products

This describes the classic recipe, so you know what to ask about. It is not a declaration for any particular kitchen — recipes and suppliers vary, and only the restaurant can tell you what is in the dish it serves.

In detail

Albóndigas en salsa are Spanish meatballs made from minced meat and bread, browned and then simmered in a sauce.

What it really is

Classic Spanish albóndigas are shaped from minced beef and pork mixed with bread soaked in milk or stale bread, egg, garlic, onion and parsley, with salt and pepper. The meatballs are rolled in flour or left plain, browned in olive oil, then simmered in a sauce. The sauce is usually built on a base of onion, garlic and tomato, often thickened with a little flour, and sometimes finished with white wine or stock. Many regional versions add almonds, pine nuts or saffron to the sauce.

The dish is distinguished from Spanish croquettes, which are fried, breaded and filled with a thick béchamel, and from Italian-style meatballs, which are usually served with pasta and a tomato sauce. Albóndigas are cooked in the sauce rather than only fried, and the sauce is part of the dish. The origin is not disputed as Spanish, but the exact regional recipes vary widely.

How it's served

Served hot as a tapa or a main course, with the meatballs and sauce in one dish.
Often eaten with crusty bread to take up the sauce.
Sometimes served with rice or potatoes in a family meal.
Commonly ordered in bars as a small portion alongside other tapas.

Name the meat as beef and pork (or the meat used), and state the sauce base, such as tomato, or almond and saffron.
Flag allergens: contains EGGS, WHEAT (from bread and flour), and MILK if the bread is soaked in milk or the sauce is finished with cream.
State if almonds or pine nuts are in the sauce, since these are not always obvious to guests.
Specify whether the meatballs are served with rice, potatoes or bread.

Typical ingredients

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Frequently asked questions

What is Albóndigas en salsa?: Spanish meatballs of minced meat bound with bread and egg, browned and then simmered in a tomato or almond-and-onion sauce. A common home and bar dish across Spain.
Where does Albóndigas en salsa come from?: Albóndigas en salsa — country of origin: Spain.
What is Albóndigas en salsa made of?: Minced beef, minced pork, egg, bread, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, olive oil.
Which allergens does Albóndigas en salsa contain?: Contains cereals and gluten-containing products. Contains eggs and egg products.
What is Albóndigas en salsa also known as?: Albóndigas de carne en salsa, Albondigas en salsa, Spanish meatballs in sauce.