Salmon Balls with Creamy Avocado Sauce Recipe
Delicious and tender salmon balls served with a smooth and creamy avocado sauce, perfect as an appetizer or a light meal. These salmon balls are flavored with fresh herbs, garlic, lemon zest, and Dijon mustard, offering a well-balanced taste. You can either bake or pan-fry them to achieve a golden crust, complemented by a refreshing avocado-yogurt dipping sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (approximately 12 salmon balls) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon Balls
- 1 pound fresh salmon, skinless and boneless
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
Creamy Avocado Sauce
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Water (to thin the sauce, if necessary)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) if you plan to bake the salmon balls. Alternatively, you can cook them on the stovetop using a skillet.
- Prepare salmon: In a large mixing bowl, dice the salmon into small pieces or pulse it in a food processor until it is coarsely chopped. Avoid pureeing completely, leaving some texture in the mixture.
- Mix ingredients: Add breadcrumbs, green onions, parsley, minced garlic, beaten egg, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, salt, and pepper to the salmon. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
- Form balls: With clean hands, shape the mixture into small balls about the size of a golf ball. If baking, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cook on stovetop (optional): Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the salmon balls and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Bake salmon balls: Place the salmon balls in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until they are firm and fully cooked.
- Prepare avocado sauce: While the salmon balls cook, combine the ripe avocado, Greek yogurt, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust sauce seasoning: Taste the avocado sauce and season with salt and pepper as needed. If too thick, add a splash of water to reach desired consistency.
- Cool and serve: Once cooked, remove the salmon balls from heat and allow them to cool slightly before serving.
- Serve: Serve the salmon balls warm with the creamy avocado sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- You can substitute the breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Adjust the lemon zest and lime juice amounts to your taste preference for more citrus brightness.
- For extra flavor, chill the salmon mixture for 15 minutes before shaping into balls.
- The avocado sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to one day; add water and stir before serving if thickened.
- Use fresh herbs and ripe avocado for best flavor and texture.
Keywords: salmon balls, avocado sauce, healthy appetizer, baked salmon, creamy dipping sauce, seafood appetizer
