Description
This recipe features flavorful baked salmon meatballs paired with a creamy avocado sauce, perfect for a healthy and delicious meal that’s easy to prepare. The meatballs are seasoned with herbs and spices, baked to perfection, and complemented by a tangy, smooth avocado sauce that adds freshness and a hint of spice.
Ingredients
Scale
The Meatballs:
- 1 pound skinless salmon cut into chunks
- ½ medium onion grated
- ¼ cup plus 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
The 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 to ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Process the Salmon: Place the salmon chunks in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, scraping the sides as needed. 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, pepper, paprika, and ground oregano to the salmon. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Form Meatballs: Take 2-tablespoon portions of the salmon mixture and roll them between your palms to form meatballs. Place the meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Meatballs: Bake the meatballs for 18 minutes or until they are firm to the touch and fully cooked through.
- Prepare the Avocado Sauce: In a food processor or blender, combine the avocado, fat-free Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lime juice, water, minced cilantro, chipotle chili powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Serve the baked salmon meatballs warm with the creamy avocado sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling.
Notes
- Use whole wheat panko breadcrumbs to add fiber and a wholesome texture.
- Adjust the chipotle chili powder in the sauce for desired spiciness.
- Cooking time may vary depending on meatball size; ensure meatballs are firm and cooked through.
- For extra moisture, you can add a small amount of olive oil to the meatball mixture if needed.
- Leftover meatballs store well in the refrigerator and can be reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
