Description
Salmon balls with creamy avocado sauce become a delightful dinner adventure that brings Mediterranean flavors straight to your kitchen table. Quick and easy protein-packed bites combine tender fish, herbs, and a luscious green sauce for a meal that feels like a culinary escape.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cans salmon (6 ounces / 170 grams each), drained and flaked
- 1 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 1 ripe avocado
Binding and Moisture Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Flavor and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ¼ cup green onions, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons water
- Olive oil for baking or frying
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet or heat a skillet with a thin olive oil layer.
- Grab a large mixing bowl. Combine 12 ounces (2 cans) drained salmon, 1 beaten egg, ¼ cup Greek yogurt, ¼ cup chopped green onions, ¼ cup fresh parsley, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 cup breadcrumbs, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly with your hands until the mixture holds together when pressed. The consistency should feel slightly sticky but compact.
- Scoop out 1–2 tablespoon portions and roll into compact balls. Your batch should yield 16–18 salmon spheres.
- For baking, arrange balls on the prepared sheet. Lightly drizzle with olive oil. Roast at 400°F for 18–20 minutes, rotating halfway through until golden and crisp.
- For pan-frying, cook balls in batches over medium heat. Rotate every 2–3 minutes until golden brown, approximately 8–10 minutes total.
- Create the sauce by blending 1 ripe avocado, ¼ cup yogurt, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 garlic clove, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons water until silky smooth.
- Plate the hot salmon balls and serve immediately with the creamy avocado sauce alongside.
Notes
- Chop salmon finely by hand for the best texture, avoiding a mushy consistency that can happen with food processors.
- Chill the salmon mixture for 30 minutes before forming balls to help them hold together during cooking.
- Use fresh salmon for the most vibrant flavor, and choose wild-caught if possible for a more sustainable option.
- For a gluten-free version, replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers to maintain the binding properties.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes (bake) or 8-10 minutes (pan)
- Category: Salmon
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 255 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg