Baked Salmon Meatballs With Creamy Avocado Sauce Recipe

The Tastiest Baked Salmon Meatballs With Creamy Avocado Sauce Recipe

Succulent salmon transforms into delightful meatballs that dance with Mediterranean flavors.

These tender baked salmon meatballs with creamy avocado sauce promise a seafood experience unlike any other.

Fresh herbs and zesty spices mingle perfectly within each bite-sized morsel.

The creamy avocado sauce adds a luxurious, silky dimension that complements the rich salmon.

Light yet satisfying, these meatballs break away from traditional protein presentations.

Each forkful delivers a harmonious blend of oceanic freshness and creamy smoothness.

You’ll savor every moment of this delectable culinary adventure.

Baked Salmon Meatballs With Creamy Avocado Sauce

  • Savor Hearty Comfort: Cowboy Beans deliver a robust, satisfying meal packed with rich flavors that warm you from the inside out.
  • Master One-Pot Wonder: This recipe simplifies cooking by using a single pot, reducing cleanup and making meal preparation a breeze for busy home cooks.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Crowd Magnet: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and barbecues, these beans bring a delicious southwestern-style dish that everyone will love.
  • Customize with Ease: Flexible ingredients allow you to adjust spice levels, swap meats, or add extra toppings to suit individual tastes and dietary preferences.

Ingredients Needed For Salmon Meatballs And Avocado Sauce

Main Proteins:
  • Salmon: Fresh fish that provides the primary protein and flavor for the meatballs.
  • Egg: Binds the meatball ingredients together and adds moisture.
Meatball Binders and Seasonings:
  • Breadcrumbs, Parsley, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance the texture and add depth of flavor to the salmon meatballs.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Avocado, Sour Cream (or Greek Yogurt), Lemon Juice, Garlic: Create a creamy, tangy sauce that complements the salmon meatballs.
Cooking Additions:
  • Olive Oil: Helps brown the meatballs and adds a subtle richness to the dish.

Cooking Instructions For Baked Salmon Meatballs

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Zone

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking sheet by either lining it with parchment paper or giving it a light brush of oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Blend the Salmon Magic

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine your salmon ingredients:
  • Finely chopped salmon
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Beaten egg
  • Fresh parsley
  • Garlic powder
  • Paprika
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Dive in with your hands and mix everything until the ingredients become best friends and form a cohesive mixture.

Step 3: Shape Your Seafood Treasures

Gently roll the salmon mixture into bite-sized balls, each about the size of a golf ball.

Arrange these ocean gems evenly on your prepared baking sheet, giving them some breathing room.

Step 4: Enhance with Golden Drizzle

Tenderly splash a bit of olive oil over the meatballs to help them develop a gorgeous golden-brown exterior.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Let the meatballs dance and cook for 12-15 minutes until they’re firm and cooked through.

Step 6: Whip Up the Creamy Green Sauce

While the meatballs are baking, create your luxurious sauce:
  • Ripe avocado
  • Sour cream
  • Lemon juice
  • Minced garlic

Blitz everything in a blender until ultra-smooth and creamy. Season with a pinch of salt and a crack of black pepper.

Step 7: Bring It All Together

Once the meatballs are done, let them rest for a moment. Plate them up and generously drizzle or serve the avocado sauce on the side for dipping.

Enjoy your oceanic delights!

Tips For Perfect Salmon Meatballs With Avocado Sauce

  • Refrigerate the salmon meatball mixture for 15-20 minutes before forming to help bind ingredients and prevent crumbling during baking.
  • Select high-quality, fresh salmon for the best flavor and texture in your meatballs.
  • If the mixture seems too dry, add an extra tablespoon of beaten egg or a splash of olive oil to ensure moist meatballs.
  • Use a light coating of cooking spray on your hands when forming meatballs to prevent the mixture from sticking.
  • Swap sour cream with coconut yogurt or cashew cream to make the avocado sauce suitable for dairy-free diets.

Flavor Twists To Enhance Salmon Meatballs

  • Tuna Transformation: Replace salmon with canned or fresh tuna for a similar protein-packed seafood meatball experience.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
  • Vegan Veggie Balls: Substitute salmon with mashed chickpeas, add nutritional yeast, and use flax egg to create a plant-based alternative.
  • Herb-Infused Version: Experiment with different herbs like dill, chives, or cilantro instead of parsley to change the flavor profile.

Pairing Ideas For Salmon Meatballs Dishes

  • Pair Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complements the salmon's delicate flavor and cuts through the creamy avocado sauce with its bright, zesty notes.
  • Create Herbal Garnish Salad: Prepare a light mixed green salad with fresh dill, arugula, and cucumber to echo the meatballs' herbal undertones and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich sauce.
  • Match Citrus-Infused Sparkling Water: Craft a lemon or lime-infused sparkling water to enhance the dish's bright, fresh qualities and cleanse the palate between bites of the rich salmon meatballs.

Best Storage Tips For Salmon Meatballs And Sauce

  • Store cooled salmon meatballs and avocado sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Keep sauce in a sealed container to prevent browning.
  • Place meatballs in a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 2 months. Freeze sauce in a separate container.
  • Warm meatballs at 350F for 10-12 minutes, spreading them on a baking sheet. Prevent drying by covering with foil. Gently reheat sauce separately.
  • Reheat meatballs on medium power in 30-second intervals, checking to avoid overcooking. Stir sauce before serving to restore creamy texture.

FAQs

  • Can I use canned salmon for the meatballs?

Yes, you can use canned salmon as an alternative. Just drain the salmon thoroughly and remove any skin or large bones before chopping and mixing with other ingredients.

  • Is there a gluten-free option for the breadcrumbs?

Absolutely! Replace regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or ground almond flour to make the recipe gluten-free.

  • How can I ensure the salmon meatballs stay moist?

Don’t overmix the ingredients and avoid overcooking. Bake just until the meatballs are firm and cooked through, which typically takes 12-15 minutes.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Baked Salmon Meatballs With Creamy Avocado Sauce Recipe

Baked Salmon Meatballs With Creamy Avocado Sauce Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Mouthwatering baked salmon meatballs with creamy avocado sauce promise a delightful culinary journey through Mediterranean flavors. Quick, healthy, and packed with protein, these tender meatballs will make diners crave more with each savory bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) fresh salmon fillet, skin removed and finely chopped

Binding and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Creamy Avocado Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a light oil coating to prevent sticking.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend salmon, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until the mixture holds together uniformly.
  3. Craft uniform meatballs using hands or a small scoop, aiming for consistent 1 to 1.5-inch spheres that will cook evenly.
  4. Arrange meatballs on the prepared sheet with adequate spacing to ensure proper heat circulation.
  5. Drizzle a thin layer of olive oil over the meatballs to promote golden-brown caramelization during baking.
  6. Roast in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, checking for a firm texture and complete internal cooking.
  7. Simultaneously, transform the avocado sauce ingredients in a blender, combining ripe avocado, sour cream, lemon juice, and minced garlic until achieving a silky, homogeneous consistency.
  8. Enhance the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting seasoning to personal preference.
  9. After removing meatballs from the oven, allow a brief cooling period to set their structure.
  10. Present the warm salmon meatballs accompanied by the creamy avocado sauce, either drizzled on top or served as a complementary dipping option.

Notes

  • Ensure salmon is fresh and finely chopped for consistent texture and better binding of meatballs.
  • Pat salmon dry before mixing to prevent excess moisture that could make meatballs fall apart.
  • Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture for a subtle kick of heat and extra flavor complexity.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 335 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 230 mg
  • Fat: 23 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Maya Thompson

Maya Thompson

Culinary Content Creator & Nutrition Enthusiast

Expertise

Healthy single-serving recipes, Meal prepping for individuals, Integrating nutrition into everyday cooking, Vegetarian and plant-based cuisine​

Education

The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Nutrition, meal planning, and culinary techniques for healthy living.


Maya found her passion in the kitchen by mixing good food with good energy. After earning her culinary degree at The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College, she made it her mission to keep cooking simple, wholesome, and packed with flavor.
At Steelhead Diner, Maya shares easy, healthy recipes built for real life. For Maya, great food seems like a celebration of everyday moments, made better one fresh bite at a time.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star