These Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce are a delicious and healthy twist on traditional meatballs, featuring fresh salmon and flavorful spices. Paired with a creamy avocado sauce that has a hint of lime and chipotle, this dish is light, nutritious, and packed with vibrant flavors. Perfect as an appetizer or a main course, these salmon meatballs are ideal for seafood lovers looking for a wholesome, easy-to-make meal.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound skinless salmon, cut into chunks
- 1/2 medium onion, grated
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons minced cilantro
- 1 egg white
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
For the Creamy Avocado Sauce:
- 3/4 California avocado, skin and seed removed
- 3 tablespoons fat-free plain Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- 5 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or giving it a light coat of oil.
- Combine Meatball Ingredients : In a food processor, add the salmon chunks and pulse a few times until the salmon is finely chopped but not pureed. Transfer the salmon to a mixing bowl and add grated onion, panko breadcrumbs, minced cilantro, egg white, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano.
- Form and Place Meatballs : Using your hands or a small scoop, shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, making sure to space them out evenly.
- Bake the Meatballs : Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly golden on the outside.
- Blend the Sauce Ingredients : In a blender or food processor, combine the avocado, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lime juice, water, cilantro, chipotle chili powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy, adjusting the seasoning and chili powder to your taste.
- Modify the Texture: If the sauce appears too thick, gradually stir in a bit more water until you achieve your preferred consistency.
- Serving : Serve the baked salmon meatballs warm with the creamy avocado sauce on the side for dipping, or drizzle the sauce over the meatballs. Garnish with extra cilantro if desired.
Conclusion
These Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce are a refreshing and healthy seafood dish with a kick of spice. The zesty, creamy avocado sauce perfectly complements the salmon meatballs, adding richness and a burst of flavor. This recipe is versatile enough to be served as an appetizer, snack, or light main course, and is sure to impress at any gathering.
Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce
Flavorful baked salmon meatballs served with acreamy, zesty avocado sauce, perfect for a light, healthy meal or appetizer.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound skinless salmon cut into chunks
- 1/2 medium onion grated
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons minced cilantro
- 1 egg white
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
For the Creamy Avocado Sauce:
- 3/4 California avocado skin and seed removed
- 3 tablespoons fat-free plain Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 lime juiced
- 5 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder adjust to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or giving it a light coat of oil.
- Combine Meatball Ingredients : In a food processor, add the salmon chunks and pulse a few times until the salmon is finely chopped but not pureed. Transfer the salmon to a mixing bowl and add grated onion, panko breadcrumbs, minced cilantro, egg white, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano.
- Form and Place Meatballs : Using your hands or a small scoop, shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, making sure to space them out evenly.
- Bake the Meatballs : Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly golden on the outside.
- Blend the Sauce Ingredients : In a blender or food processor, combine the avocado, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lime juice, water, cilantro, chipotle chili powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy, adjusting the seasoning and chili powder to your taste.
- Modify the Texture: If the sauce appears too thick, gradually stir in a bit more water until you achieve your preferred consistency.
- Serving : Serve the baked salmon meatballs warm with the creamy avocado sauce on the side for dipping, or drizzle the sauce over the meatballs. Garnish with extra cilantro if desired.