Spanish Meatballs with Sherry and Garlic

Kitchen Team @ Spooning and Forking

Spanish meatballs with sherry and garlic simmer in a velvety sauce enriched by fortified wine and nutty undertones. Garlic balances the richness, making this dish elegant enough for dinner parties yet easy enough for weeknights, always satisfying alongside bread, rice, or roasted vegetables.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine European, Mediterranean, Spanish

Servings Servings

Calories 435 kcal

Ingredients

300 g Minced beef
300 g Minced pork
1 Onion small, finely chopped
4 cloves Garlic minced
50 g Breadcrumbs
1 Egg medium
2 tbsp Milk full fat
1 tsp Smoked paprika
½ tsp Ground nutmeg
3 tbsp Olive oil extra virgin
400 g Tomatoes tinned, chopped
150 ml Sherry dry fino
1 Bay leaf
2 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped
Sea salt to taste
Black pepper freshly ground, to taste

Instructions

Mix the beef, pork, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, paprika, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until combined. Shape into walnut-sized meatballs and place on a tray.
Heat olive oil in a wide pan and brown the meatballs in batches, turning until golden on all sides. Set aside once browned.
In the same pan, add the garlic and cook gently until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the sherry, scraping up any caramelised bits from the bottom. Simmer for a few minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in the tomatoes, add the bay leaf, and season lightly. Return the meatballs to the pan, spoon the sauce over, and simmer for 20–25 minutes until cooked through. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Notes

Using a mixture of pork and beef ensures both tenderness and flavour. The garlic is more prominent here than in other recipes, so don’t be shy, it mellows beautifully during cooking.

The choice of sherry is important. Fino or manzanilla provides dryness and balance, while oloroso gives a deeper, slightly sweet note. If you prefer a richer sauce, you can experiment with medium sherry. Nutmeg adds a subtle background warmth that ties the dish together.

Nutrition

Calories: 435kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 29gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 810mgPotassium: 720mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 920IUCalcium: 50mgIron: 3.5mg

Keyword Dinner party, Elegant albondigas, Fortified wine, Garlic sauce, Garlic sherry, Nutty flavour, Savoury meatballs, Sherry meatballs, Spanish sherry, Tapas recipe

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