Description
Delicious and easy-to-make salmon balls served with a refreshing creamy avocado sauce. These salmon balls combine fresh salmon with herbs, breadcrumbs, and spices, cooked either by baking or stovetop frying, making them a perfect appetizer or light meal that is flavorful and healthy.
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
- Prepare for Cooking: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) if baking the salmon balls. Alternatively, be ready to cook them on the stovetop by heating olive oil in a skillet.
- Chop Salmon: Dice the fresh salmon into small pieces or pulse in a food processor until coarsely chopped, ensuring some texture remains rather than pureeing it completely.
- Mix Ingredients: Combine the salmon with breadcrumbs, green onions, parsley, minced garlic, beaten egg, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form Salmon Balls: Using 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: If using a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and add the salmon balls. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Bake Salmon Balls: If baking, place the salmon balls in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until they are firm and cooked through.
- Prepare Avocado Sauce: While the salmon balls cook, blend the ripe avocado, Greek yogurt, lime juice, and chopped cilantro in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy.
- Season Sauce: Taste the creamy avocado sauce and add salt and pepper as needed. Thin the sauce with a splash of water if it is too thick for your liking.
- Cool Slightly: Remove cooked salmon balls from heat and let them cool slightly before serving to maintain their shape and texture.
- Serve: Serve the warm salmon balls accompanied by the creamy avocado sauce for dipping, making a delightful and nutritious dish.
Notes
- For best texture, avoid over-processing the salmon; it should be coarsely chopped, not pureed.
- You can substitute plain yogurt with dairy-free yogurt to make the sauce dairy-free.
- Adjust lemon zest and lime juice to your taste for more zestiness.
- These salmon balls can be frozen uncooked; bake or cook directly from frozen adding a few extra minutes to cooking time.
- Serve with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
