Description
These Baked Salmon Meatballs with Avocado Sauce offer a healthy and flavorful twist on traditional meatballs. Made from fresh salmon and baked to perfection, the meatballs are tender and packed with herbs and spices. Paired with a creamy, zesty avocado sauce, this dish is perfect for a nutritious lunch or dinner that’s quick to prepare and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon Meatballs
- 1 lb fresh salmon, skin removed and finely chopped
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (or almond flour for low-carb)
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Avocado Sauce
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise for dairy-free)
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp water (adjust for consistency)
To Serve
- Fresh cilantro or parsley
- Lemon wedges
- Cooked quinoa, rice, or salad
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the salmon meatballs.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine finely chopped salmon, panko breadcrumbs or almond flour, egg, chopped parsley, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and onion powder. Stir thoroughly to blend all ingredients.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, ensuring they are evenly sized for consistent cooking.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the shaped meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until they are golden brown on the outside and cooked through internally.
- Prepare Avocado Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine avocado, Greek yogurt or mayonnaise, lime juice, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and water in a blender or food processor.
- Blend Sauce: Blend until smooth, adding more water gradually if the sauce needs to be thinned to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Place the baked salmon meatballs on a serving plate and drizzle generously with the creamy avocado sauce.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley and add lemon wedges on the side for an added burst of flavor.
- Complete the Meal: Serve the meatballs and sauce alongside cooked quinoa, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete, balanced meal.
Notes
- You can substitute almond flour for the breadcrumbs to make this recipe low-carb.
- For a dairy-free avocado sauce, use mayonnaise instead of Greek yogurt.
- Adjust the water amount in the avocado sauce to get the perfect creamy consistency.
- Make sure the salmon is finely chopped to help the meatballs hold together well.
- Serve immediately for the best texture, or reheat gently in the oven to keep them moist.
