Carne Asada is a Mexican preparation of steak, usually flank steak or falda. Marinated in citrus, herbs, cumin, often jalapeño too. Then broiled or grilled. It’s delicious and flavorful. So why did I make Carne Asada MEATBALLS?

Welp, the fact is… I’m not a huge fan of leftover steak. I like my meat rare or medium rare, so re-heating makes it too tough. But I LOVE leftover meatballs.

FREE GRASS FED GROUND  BEEF FOR LIFE!!!!

Before I get into this post, I NEED to tell you. Butcher Box has THE BEST promo going on. If you sign up  THIS month, you get 2 POUNDS of their grass-fed ground beef, with each order for the life of your subscription.

The very ground beef I used to make these Carne Asada Meatballs with Arroz Amarillo. I love my Butcher Box! 

Latin Inspired Recipes

If you didn’t know, now you know… I’m Cuban! First generation American, born to Cuban immigrants. My first language was Spanish (I’m still fluent). I have spent time in Spain, all over the Caribbean and Mexico. My step-dad is from Argentina and my step-mom from Colombia.

Needless to say, I’m well versed in Latin cooking. However, being away from my family for so long, I haven’t posted too many recipes inspired by my culture on the blog. There are quite a few in my book Made Whole though!

I promise to start posting more… starting with these Carne Asada Meatballs over Arroz Amarillo (yellow rice).

Sheet Pan Taco Bowls (Whole30, AIP, Keto, Paleo)

Need help with food intolerances? Try my AIP KETO RESET! 

Carne Asada Meatballs with Arroz Amarillo

All the amazing flavors of Carne Asada in easy meatballs that are perfect for batch cooking. Served over roasted yellow cauliflower rice!

• Author: Cristina
• Prep Time: 15
• Cook Time: 30
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4-5 servings

Ingredients

Carne Asada Marinade:

Juice of 1  lemon

Juice of 1 lime

2 teaspoons fine salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2  large onion, small diced

2 cloves garlic minced

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil

2 pounds grass-fed ground beef 

2 tablespoons pastured gelatin (I use this one)

2 tablespoons psyllium husk (or flax meal)

1 tablespoons bacon fat

For Arroz Amarillo/ Yellow Rice:

6 cups frozen riced cauliflower

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon fine salt

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

3 tablespoons bacon fat

Extra Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

Mix all of the marinade ingredients in a small bowl and let it sit in the fridge overnight or at least one hour.

When ready to cook, pre-heat oven to 400F.

Add the marinade to a large bowl with the meat, gelatin, and psyllium husk. Mix well. Shape 18-20 2 inch meatballs. Brush with bacon fat.

Put meatballs in the oven, center rack. Set a timer for 25 minutes.

Right after you put the meatballs in the oven, get the rice ready. 

Toss the frozen cauliflower with the rest of the yellow rice ingredients all together on a sheet pan, then spread the rice flat out all over the sheet pan. Pop the rice in the oven too, top rack.

When your timer goes off, remove the meatballs from the oven. Set the oven to broil the rice for 5 minutes. Then remove that from the oven.

Serve 3-4 meatballs over the rice. Spoon the pan sauce over everything (yum) and sprinkle with fresh cilantro!

Notes

If you don’t to psyllium husk or flax you can use 1 tablespoon of coconut flour or 1/4 cup almond meal instead.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: for 4 meatballs
• Calories: 426
• Fat: 26
• Carbohydrates: 7
• Fiber: 4
• Protein: 36

Chicken Satay + Grilled Zucchini (Whole30, Paleo, Keto, Nut Free)