Description
These Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce are a healthy and flavorful dish featuring tender salmon meatballs baked to perfection and served with a zesty, smooth avocado yogurt sauce. Ideal for a nutritious dinner, this recipe combines fresh ingredients and bold spices for a delicious meal that’s easy to prepare.
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 and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Chop Salmon: Place the salmon chunks into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure even processing. Transfer the chopped salmon to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: Add the grated onion, whole wheat panko breadcrumbs, minced cilantro, egg white, minced garlic, salt, ground pepper, paprika, and oregano to the salmon in the bowl. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Form Meatballs: Using about 2 tablespoons of the salmon mixture for each, roll the mixture between your palms to form evenly sized meatballs. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm to the touch and fully cooked through.
- Prepare Avocado Sauce: In the bowl of a food processor or blender, combine the avocado, fat-free Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lime juice, water, minced cilantro, chipotle chili powder, salt, and ground pepper. Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Plate the baked salmon meatballs and serve with the creamy avocado sauce on the side or drizzled over the top for a flavorful finish.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute whole wheat panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Adjust the amount of chipotle chili powder in the avocado sauce to your preferred spice level.
- Using fresh lime juice in the sauce gives a bright citrus flavor, but bottled lime juice can be used in a pinch.
- Ensure salmon is fresh or properly thawed for best texture and flavor.
- These meatballs can be made ahead and frozen; thaw and reheat in the oven before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
