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Baked salmon meatballs with creamy avocado sauce on a plate

Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce

These tender salmon meatballs are cozy, bright, and perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, complemented by a creamy avocado sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Protein
  • 1 pound skinless salmon chunks for that fresh clean flavor
Binders & Crunch
  • 0.25 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs plus 2 tablespoons for binding and crunch
  • 1 large egg white to hold everything together without heaviness
Aromatics & Veggies
  • 0.5 medium onion grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced for that classic punch
  • 3 tablespoons minced cilantro to brighten the mix with fresh herb notes
Spices
  • 0.75 teaspoon salt to spice things up right
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground pepper to spice things up right
  • 0.5 teaspoon paprika to spice things up right
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground oregano to spice things up right
Creamy Avocado Sauce
  • 0.75 whole California avocado for the creamy avocado sauce
  • 3 tablespoons fat-free plain Greek yogurt for the creamy avocado sauce
  • 1 clove garlic minced for the avocado sauce
  • 0.5 whole lime juiced for the avocado sauce
  • 5 tablespoons water for the avocado sauce
  • 2 tablespoons minced cilantro for the avocado sauce
  • 0.375 teaspoon chipotle chili powder ¼ to ½ teaspoon for the avocado sauce
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt for the avocado sauce to taste
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground pepper for the avocado sauce to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the salmon dry and roughly chop if needed, then grate the onion and mince garlic and cilantro so everything is ready to mix.
Mixing
  1. Combine salmon, grated onion, 2 tablespoons whole wheat panko, egg white, 3 tablespoons cilantro, 2 minced garlic cloves, 0.75 tsp salt, 0.5 tsp pepper, paprika, and oregano in a bowl and gently mix until evenly combined.
Forming and Coating
  1. Form the mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs and roll each lightly in the remaining 0.25 cup panko for extra binding and crunch.
Baking
  1. Place meatballs on a lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, until cooked through and slightly firm to the touch.
Serving
  1. Blend avocado, Greek yogurt, 1 minced garlic clove, lime juice, water, 2 tbsp cilantro, chipotle powder, 0.25 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp pepper until smooth; spoon over warm meatballs.

Notes

Keep salmon cold while working to maintain firm texture and easier shaping. Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to avoid a dense texture. Use a quick-read thermometer; salmon meatballs are done at 145°F. If the mixture feels too wet, add the additional 2 tablespoons panko a bit at a time. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.