Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce Recipe
These baked salmon meatballs are a healthy and flavorful dish featuring tender salmon mixed with aromatic herbs and spices, baked to perfection, and served with a creamy avocado sauce that adds a refreshing and zesty touch. Perfect for a nutritious family meal or elegant appetizer, they combine lean protein with wholesome ingredients for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Salmon Meatballs
- 1 pound skinless salmon (cut into chunks)
- ½ medium onion (grated)
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons minced cilantro
- 1 egg white
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground oregano
Creamy Avocado Sauce
- ¾ California avocado (skin & seed removed)
- 3 tablespoons fat-free plain Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ½ lime (juiced)
- 5 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and lightly coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Process Salmon: Place the salmon chunks into a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure even texture. Transfer the processed salmon to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: Add grated onion, whole wheat panko breadcrumbs, minced cilantro, egg white, minced garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano to the bowl with the salmon. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Form Meatballs: Using approximately 2 tablespoons of the salmon mixture per meatball, roll the mixture evenly between your palms to form uniform balls. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly so they cook uniformly.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they are firm to the touch and fully cooked through.
- Prepare Avocado Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine the avocado, fat-free plain Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lime juice, water, minced cilantro, chipotle chili powder, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender. Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Once the salmon meatballs are cooked, serve them hot alongside or topped with the creamy avocado sauce for a delicious and nutritious meal.
Notes
- Use whole wheat panko breadcrumbs for a healthier alternative to regular panko.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, adjust the amount of chipotle chili powder accordingly.
- You can substitute fresh herbs like parsley if you don’t have cilantro on hand.
- Make sure not to overprocess the salmon so the meatballs maintain a good texture.
- Leftover meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
