Description
These Baked Salmon Meatballs with Avocado Green Goddess sauce are a delightful, nutrient-packed dish perfect for paleo, Whole30, AIP, and keto diets. Made with fresh sockeye salmon, zucchini, and aromatic spices, these meatballs are baked to perfection and paired with a creamy, herbaceous avocado sauce made from fresh basil, parsley, and lemon juice. This recipe is easy to prepare, gluten-free, and full of healthy fats and protein, making it a perfect light lunch or dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
For the salmon meatballs
- 16 oz sockeye salmon, skin removed
- 1 cup zucchini, peeled and chopped (about 1 small zucchini)
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- ¾ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper (omit for AIP)
- 3 tbsp avocado oil
For the avocado green goddess (optional)
- 1 medium avocado
- ½ cup fresh parsley
- ½ cup fresh basil
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Prepare Zucchini: Using a food processor, finely chop the peeled and chopped zucchini. Then, place the zucchini in a cheesecloth or paper towel and squeeze out excess moisture to avoid soggy meatballs. Set this aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Process Salmon: Carefully check the salmon for any pin bones and remove them. Then, process the salmon in the same food processor until it reaches a ground consistency.
- Mix Ingredients: Combine the ground salmon with the squeezed zucchini and add the coconut flour, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, black pepper (if using), and avocado oil. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form Meatballs: Roll the salmon mixture into evenly sized meatballs and place them spaced out on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until they are cooked through and firm to the touch.
- Make Avocado Green Goddess Sauce: While the meatballs bake, prepare the sauce by combining the avocado, fresh parsley, fresh basil, olive oil, lemon juice, and sea salt in a high-speed blender. Blend everything together until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Serve the warm salmon meatballs drizzled or dipped in the avocado green goddess sauce. Enjoy immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- All nutrition facts are an estimation and not exact.
- The photos and written content of this recipe are copyright protected and cannot be copied or shared without permission.
- If you want to feature a photo or share this recipe, please link back to the original recipe instead of copying content.
- Omit black pepper for autoimmune protocol (AIP) compliance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 meatballs with sauce)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
