Salmon Balls with Creamy Avocado Sauce: Healthy Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Love

Are you on the hunt for a quick and easy dinner that packs a punch in flavor? Look no further! These Salmon Balls with Creamy Avocado Sauce come together in about 30 minutes and are perfect for a busy weeknight meal that your family will adore! What I love about this recipe is its flexibility, feel free to switch up the ingredients based on what you have or even use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal. Trust me; once you try these, they’ll become a regular on your dinner table!

Ingredient Breakdown

  • Fresh Salmon Fillet – 1 lb (450g)
  • Fresh Parsley – 1/4 cup, finely chopped
  • Fresh Cilantro – 1/4 cup, finely chopped
  • Breadcrumbs – 1/2 cup (or almond flour for gluten-free option)
  • Large Egg – 1
  • Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
  • Smoked Paprika – 1 tsp
  • Lemon Zest – 1 tsp
  • Salt and Black Pepper – To taste
  • Olive Oil – 2 tbsp (for grilling)
  • Ripe Avocado – 1
  • Fresh Cilantro – 1/4 cup, chopped
  • Greek Yogurt – 1/4 cup (or sour cream for a richer texture)
  • Lime Juice – 2 tbsp
  • Garlic – 1 clove, minced
  • Salt and Pepper – To taste

How to Make Salmon Balls with Creamy Avocado Sauce

Step 1: Prepare the Salmon Mixture

Start by preheating your grill, medium heat is perfect! Now, in a large mixing bowl, flake the salmon into bite-sized pieces. You want to make sure there are no bones, and it should look light and flaky. Add in the minced garlic, fresh parsley, cilantro, breadcrumbs, egg, the smoked paprika, lemon zest, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Mix everything gently using your hands until just combined (you want it to stick together without being overworked). You’re looking for a lovely textured mixture that smells amazing! It should take about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Shape the Salmon Balls

Now, the fun part! Using your hands, form small balls, about the size of golf balls, don’t worry about being perfect; they’ll all hold together once grilled. Place them on a plate while you shape the rest. You should get about 12-15 salmon balls, depending on size.

Step 3: Grill the Salmon Balls

Drizzle your grill with a little olive oil to prevent sticking and carefully place the salmon balls on it. Grill for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should be about 140°F). Keep an eye on them to avoid burning, nobody likes dry salmon!

Step 4: Prepare the Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce

While those glorious salmon balls are grilling away, let’s whip up the sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the ripe avocado, fresh cilantro, Greek yogurt, lime juice, and one clove of minced garlic. Blend until smooth and feel free to add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Take a quick moment to transport yourself to flavor town, trust me, you won’t want to skip this!

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the salmon balls are grilled to perfection, it’s time to plate! Serve them with a generous drizzle of your creamy avocado sauce on top or on the side for dipping, either way, the flavor combo is incredible! Toss in a fresh side salad or some roasted veggies, and you’ve got yourself a fantastic meal!

Salmon Balls with Creamy Avocado Sauce

Why I Love This Recipe

This is my go-to recipe when I need something healthy yet comforting after a long day seriously, it’s a lifesaver! I’m a real sucker for anything you can whip up quickly, and these salmon balls are no exception. Plus, they are perfect for the picky eaters in the family. I cannot tell you how many times my kids asked for seconds! And the best part is, you can use whatever you have on hand to customize it to your liking!

If you loved this salmon balls recipe, be sure to check out my Baked Boursin Salmon, my Smoked Salmon Potato Salad, or my Spicy Salmon Sushi Bake Recipe! Trust me, these dishes bring the same joy to your table!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes! It’s a lifesaver for those busy weeknights when you need dinner fast.

Minimal Cleanup Required

Since we’re grilling, you don’t have to worry about pots and pans piling up after dinner! Just one bowl for mixing and the grill to clean, and that’s it!

Customizable

You can mix and match ingredients based on what you have in your fridge. Got leftover cooked veggies? Toss them in the salmon mixture! Don’t have Greek yogurt? Use whatever creamy option you fancy.

Crowd-Pleaser

Whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining friends, these salmon balls are sure to be a hit! They’re flavorful, nutritious, and always spark conversation around the dinner table.

Comfort Food

Loaded with tons of flavor, the creamy avocado sauce adds a luxurious touch that makes this otherwise simple dish feel indulgent.

Serving and Storage Tips

What to Serve With This

These salmon balls are fantastic served over a bed of greens, with a side of rice, or alongside some roasted veggies. You could even serve them in tacos with fresh slaw! Pair it with a zesty white wine or a refreshing sparkling water.

How Long It Keeps

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days! Just make sure they’re sealed in an airtight container.

Best Method to Reheat

To reheat, simply microwave them for about 30-45 seconds until warmed through or pop them back on the grill for a few minutes to regain that nice crispy exterior.

Freezer Friendly?

Yes! These salmon balls freeze well! Just freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep for about 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge and follow the reheating instructions above!

And there you have it! A warm, welcoming recipe for Salmon Balls with Creamy Avocado Sauce that feels like a hug for your belly! Cooking doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and with this recipe, you can bring health and flavor to the table without breaking a sweat. Happy cooking, friends! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!

Salmon Balls with Creamy Avocado Sauce

Salmon Balls with Creamy Avocado Sauce

These salmon balls are a quick, healthy dinner option paired with a creamy avocado sauce, perfect for busy weeknights and customizable based on available ingredients.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 200

Ingredients
  

For the Salmon Balls
  • 1 lb Fresh Salmon Fillet Can use canned salmon, just drain well.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, finely chopped Flat-leaf parsley preferred.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, finely chopped Can substitute with fresh basil or omit.
  • 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs Panko for extra crunch or almond flour for gluten-free option.
  • 1 Large Egg Can use a flax egg for a vegan option.
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced Fresh garlic preferred, can substitute with garlic powder.
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika Regular paprika can be used as a substitute.
  • 1 tsp Lemon Zest Can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch.
  • Salt and Black Pepper To taste.
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil For grilling salmon balls.
For the Creamy Avocado Sauce
  • 1 Ripe Avocado Ensure it’s ripe for the best texture.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped Use leftover cilantro from the salmon mixture.
  • 1/4 cup Greek Yogurt Can substitute with sour cream.
  • 2 tbsp Lime Juice Lemon juice can be used as a substitute.
  • 1 clove Garlic, minced Additional garlic for flavor.
  • Salt and Pepper To taste.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Start by preheating your grill to medium heat. In a large mixing bowl, flake the salmon into bite-sized pieces, ensuring there are no bones.
  2. Add the minced garlic, fresh parsley, cilantro, breadcrumbs, egg, smoked paprika, lemon zest, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper and mix gently until just combined.
Shaping
  1. Using your hands, form small balls, about the size of golf balls. You should get about 12-15 salmon balls.
Grilling
  1. Drizzle the grill with olive oil to prevent sticking and carefully place the salmon balls on it. Grill for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through, aiming for an internal temperature of 140°F.
Making the Sauce
  1. In a blender, combine the ripe avocado, chopped cilantro, Greek yogurt, lime juice, and the minced garlic. Blend until smooth, adding salt and pepper to taste.
Serving
  1. Once the salmon balls are grilled perfectly, serve them topped with the creamy avocado sauce or on the side for dipping.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for about 2 months and reheated in the microwave or on the grill.

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