Salmon patties just got fancy and turned themselves into meatballs! Serve these Soy Honey Salmon Meatballs over rice and stir-fried veggies for a heart healthy, delicious dinner! 113 calories and 1 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
Soy Honey Salmon Meatballs Recipe
A couple of years ago I took a chance and made some out-of-the-box salmon meatballs with an avocado sauce. And guess what? You guys went crazy for them!
One of my readers said, "I made these tonight, and they are GLORIOUS! I wish I’d made a double batch." Another said, "Dara, I had saved this recipe for over 3 months now and finally tried it today! Came out amazing!! Cant wait to make it again."
I figured it was high time that I made another version, this time with a easy savory-sweet soy honey glaze. Plus, I've included serving suggestions and tips for making these into gluten free meatballs. Here's hoping that you guys love these as much as the originals!
I don't know about you guys, but my family loves meatballs in any form. My son told me that "meatball" week should be a thing. I'm inclined to agree. Start the week with these salmon meatballs, then move straight to turkey meatballs and vegetarian meatballs.
What you need to make these salmon meatballs:
- Salmon, of course! For this salmon meatball recipe, I use skinless salmon fillets. Cut them into chunks, then pulse in a food processor until finely chopped.
- Since we're going for an Asian flair with this recipe, garlic and fresh ginger are added. I either peel and grate the ginger on a microplane or I use the ginger puree in the squeeze bottle that you can find in the produce section of many grocery stores. Grate a double dose because you'll need some for the glaze, too.
- Five-spice powder! This spice mix, which you can find here (affiliate) or in many grocery stores, is most commonly a mix of cloves, star anise, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper and fennel seeds. Variations may include nutmeg or ginger. It's an ingredient that adds a ton of flavor to simple dishes like roasted sweet potatoes.
- For binding, I use standard meatball ingredients including an egg and breadcrumbs. Whole wheat panko breadcrumbs (affiliate) are my go-to but homemade breadcrumbs or other store-bought versions will work, too.
- The glaze is an easy mix of soy sauce, honey, ginger, rice vinegar and garlic powder. Just stir or whisk it together.
How to make gluten free meatballs:
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- There are several options for making meatballs gluten free.
- The easiest option is gluten free breadcrumbs - these ones are panko (affiliate). Otherwise you can use crushed gluten free crackers, rolled oats or even instant potato flakes.
- For the glaze, the only adjustment that needs to be made is swapping tamari (affiliate) for the soy sauce.
What to serve with salmon meatballs:
- We typically serve these with brown rice and stir-fried vegetables, such as stir fried cabbage or stir fried green beans. Here are some other options...
- Grains: Brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat couscous
- 5-Minute Spicy Stir-Fried Cabbage...ginger, garlic, sesame oil - all flavors that pair well with meatballs.
- Tuck the meatballs inside of corn tortillas or small naans/flatbreads and top with this cucumber jicama slaw.
- Toss them with rice noodles and vegetables. Use this recipe and its sauce as a base.
Other healthy meatball recipes:
Italian Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce {Cookin' Canuck}
Cannellini Bean Vegetarian "Meatballs" {Cookin' Canuck}
Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki {Everyday Maven}
Easy Healthy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs {Food Faith Fitness}
If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.
Printable Recipe
Soy Honey Salmon Meatballs
Ingredients
The Meatballs:
- 1 pound skinless salmon cut into chunks
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- ½ teaspoon Chinese 5-spice powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 egg white
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons whole wheat panko breadcrumbs*
- 2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
The Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
The Meatballs:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Place the salmon in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped, scraping down the sides as necessary. Transfer to a large bowl.
- To the salmon, add the garlic, ginger, 5-spice powder, salt, egg white, breadcrumbs and parsley.
- Using a rounded 1 tablespoon portion of the salmon mixture, form meatballs by rolling between the palms of your hands. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly.
- Bake the meatballs for 5 minutes. Brush the meatballs with half of the sauce. Bake until the meatballs are firm to the touch cooked through, an additional 5 to 7 minutes.
- Brush with the remaining half of the sauce. Serve.
The Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, ginger, rice vinegar and garlic powder. Transfer half of the sauce to a separate bowl.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Catherine Bryan
I used a 15 oz can of pink salmon...trying to use make a dent in the Corona stash. This recipe came out perfectly and was delicious. My son loves salmon while I don't but even I enjoyed these.
Alyssa Brantley
Holy yum - must make this!!! Thanks for linking to my lamb meatballs too 🙂
Laurie H
Would these work if I were to use canned salmon? I have a few cans of love to use but don’t want to waste them.
Dara
Hi Laurie, I have never tried this recipe with canned salmon, so am not sure. I would be worried about them being too dry after baking.
MissAinCA
Brilliant! You did it again! Our family already loves your Salmon meatballs with avocado sauce (THANK YOU!) and now this recipe! Yep, always make a double batch and will make this for dinner tomorrow night! Love how super simple it is too! Thanks again Dara! BTW I'm giving it 5 stars before I make them as I know they will be another winner already!