Salmon Balls with Creamy Avocado Sauce Recipe
These Salmon Balls with Creamy Avocado Sauce offer a delightful twist on traditional seafood appetizers. Made with fresh salmon, herbs, and a blend of savory ingredients, these tender, flavorful balls can be baked or pan-fried to golden perfection. Paired with a smooth, tangy avocado yogurt sauce, this recipe is perfect for a healthy snack, appetizer, or light meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (about 16 salmon balls) 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- 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.
- Prepare the Salmon: In a large mixing bowl, dice the salmon into small pieces or pulse it in a food processor until coarsely chopped, ensuring not to puree it completely to maintain texture.
- Mix Ingredients: Add breadcrumbs, green onions, parsley, minced garlic, beaten egg, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, salt, and pepper to the salmon. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Form Salmon Balls: Using clean hands, shape the salmon mixture into small golf ball-sized balls. If baking, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cook on Stovetop: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add salmon balls and cook for 3-4 minutes per 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 firm and fully cooked.
- Prepare Avocado Sauce: While the salmon balls cook, blend ripe avocado, Greek yogurt, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy.
- Season Sauce: Taste and season the avocado sauce with salt and pepper. If too thick, add water in small amounts to reach desired consistency.
- Cool and Serve: Once cooked, remove salmon balls from heat and let cool slightly before serving.
- Serve: Serve warm salmon balls accompanied by the creamy avocado sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch and better texture.
- You can bake or pan-fry the salmon balls depending on your preference.
- Don’t over-process the salmon in the food processor; maintain some texture for better mouthfeel.
- The avocado sauce can be thinned with water or lime juice for preferred dipping consistency.
- Serve these as appetizers or with a light salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: salmon balls, avocado sauce, seafood appetizer, healthy snack, baked salmon balls, creamy avocado dip
