Description
Delicious and healthy baked salmon meatballs served with a creamy, zesty avocado sauce. These salmon meatballs are flavored with fresh herbs and spices, baked to perfection for a light yet satisfying meal. The creamy avocado sauce adds a refreshing and tangy touch, making it a perfect low-fat, high-protein dish suitable for health-conscious eaters.
Ingredients
Scale
For the 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
For the 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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Salmon: Place the salmon chunks in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, scraping down the sides as needed. Transfer the finely chopped salmon to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: Add grated onion, whole wheat panko breadcrumbs, minced cilantro, egg white, minced garlic, salt, ground pepper, paprika, and oregano to the bowl with the salmon. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Form Meatballs: Using about 2 tablespoons of the salmon mixture, roll portions between your palms to form evenly sized meatballs. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to ensure proper cooking.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until they are firm to the touch and cooked through.
- Prepare Avocado Sauce: Meanwhile, combine avocado, fat-free plain Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lime juice, water, minced cilantro, chipotle chili powder, salt, and ground pepper in a food processor or blender. Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Serve the baked salmon meatballs warm, accompanied by the creamy avocado sauce for dipping or drizzling.
Notes
- Use whole wheat panko breadcrumbs for a healthier fiber boost; if unavailable, regular panko can be substituted.
- Adjust the chipotle chili powder in the avocado sauce based on your preferred spice level.
- Egg white is used to bind the meatballs while keeping them lean and low fat.
- Make sure salmon is fresh or properly thawed if using frozen for best texture and flavor.
- The avocado sauce can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours; stir before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs with 2 tablespoons avocado sauce
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: salmon meatballs, baked salmon, avocado sauce, healthy dinner, low-fat recipes, gluten-free alternative, seafood meatballs
