Description

These Salmon Balls with Creamy Avocado Sauce offer a delicious blend of fresh, grilled salmon, flavorful herbs, and a rich, creamy avocado-cilantro sauce. Perfect for a healthy dinner or party appetizer, these bite-sized salmon balls are easy to make, packed with protein, and full of fresh flavors. Serve them as a light meal or snack, and enjoy this healthy twist on traditional salmon dishes!

Ingredients

For the Salmon Balls:

1 lb (450g) fresh salmon fillet (skin removed)

1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for a gluten-free option)

1 large egg

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp lemon zest

Salt and black pepper, to taste

2 tbsp olive oil (for grilling)

For the Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce:

1 ripe avocado

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1/4 cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream for a richer texture)

2 tbsp lime juice

1 clove garlic, minced

Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the Salmon Mixture:
Finely chop the salmon fillet or pulse it in a food processor until coarsely minced. In a large mixing bowl, combine the minced salmon, chopped parsley, cilantro, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, smoked paprika, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture thoroughly until well incorporated.
Shape the Salmon Balls:
Take small portions of the salmon mixture and roll them into balls, approximately 2 inches in diameter. You should end up with about 12-14 balls depending on the size.
Grill the Salmon Balls:
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Place the salmon balls in the pan and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Once cooked, remove the salmon balls from the pan and set them aside.
Prepare the Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce:
In a food processor, combine the avocado, fresh cilantro, Greek yogurt, lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or lime juice as necessary to balance the flavor.
Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the grilled salmon balls with the creamy avocado cilantro sauce either drizzled on top or as a dipping sauce on the side. These bites are best enjoyed fresh but can also be refrigerated for leftovers.

Notes

Spicy Kick: Add a chopped jalapeño to the avocado sauce for a little heat.
Grilling Option: You can grill the salmon balls on the barbecue for a smoky flavor. Brush them with olive oil and grill over medium heat.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Freezing: Uncooked salmon balls can be frozen. Freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Cook them directly from the freezer.
Vegan Option: Substitute the eggs with flax eggs and use dairy-free yogurt for a vegan version.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American