Description
Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce is a healthy, flavorful seafood dish combining tender salmon meatballs packed with protein and omega-3s with a smooth, zesty avocado sauce. Quick and easy to prepare, this recipe offers a fresh and vibrant meal perfect for lunch, dinner, or appetizers that impresses with its wholesome goodness and versatility.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salmon Meatballs
- 1 lb fresh salmon fillets, finely chopped or pulsed
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers/almond flour for gluten-free)
- 1 large egg
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Avocado Sauce
- 1 ripe avocado
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream (or coconut/cashew cream for dairy-free)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Water or extra lime juice, to adjust consistency (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Salmon: Finely chop or pulse fresh salmon fillets in a food processor until you achieve a coarse, even texture ideal for forming meatballs.
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, gently mix the chopped salmon with breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, fresh dill and parsley, salt, and pepper until well incorporated without overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form the Meatballs: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, shape the mixture into uniform meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter to ensure even cooking.
- Bake the Meatballs: Place the salmon meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes until firm and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Prepare the Creamy Avocado Sauce: While the meatballs bake, blend ripe avocado, lime juice, Greek yogurt, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency by adding a bit of water or lime juice if needed.
- Serve Together: Drizzle the creamy avocado sauce over the warm baked salmon meatballs or serve on the side as a dip. Garnish with additional fresh herbs, chili flakes, or lime zest as desired.
Notes
- Use fresh salmon for the best texture and flavor.
- Do not overmix the salmon mixture to keep meatballs tender rather than dense.
- Ensure meatballs are uniform in size for even baking.
- Check doneness by ensuring meatballs are firm and reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Use perfectly ripe avocados for a creamy, non-bitter sauce.
- Chill the avocado sauce in the fridge for 15 minutes before serving for enhanced flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: baked salmon meatballs, avocado sauce, healthy seafood appetizer, gluten free salmon recipe, creamy avocado dip, omega-3 rich meal
