Sooooo…these low carb salmon meatballs were supposed to get posted yesterday for Meatball Monday, but I went to the zoo with friends instead. Oops.
We all had a blast, but it was HOT! The actual temperature wasn’t too bad for this time of year – 88 degrees, but the “real feel” temperature was 108. It was gross.
The kids had a great time overall, but while I was super excited for Hungry Jr’s first trip to the zoo, he was surprisingly not that impressed with the animals.
He fed the giraffes, which I thought was awesome, but when I asked him what he thought of it he said it was “Boring. And gross.” He was more interested in hanging out with his friends, and running around than actually looking at the animals. Though he did think the penguins were cool (no pun intended).
I’m pretty sure that I enjoyed the animals more than he did! I’m not usually a fan of zoos because of the captivity thing, but I have to say that the Riverbanks zoo in Columbia is pretty impressive. They also have some gorgeous botanical gardens. So if you live in the SC area and haven’t been yet, you should definitely check it out. (this is not a sponsored post or anything – we just liked it a lot.)
Here’s a couple of my favorite photos from the day – I have tons more but haven’t had time to edit them yet.
I don’t know why, but most of my favorites were of birds.
It was nice to get out of the house and photograph something besides food for a change, but now I’m ready to get back to work!
The first thing on my agenda is to finally get these meatballs posted! This low carb salmon meatball recipe is based on my favorite salmon burger recipe from back in the day.
It’s got all of the bases covered. Smoky, delicious meatball? Check. Creamy, tangy sauce? Check. Punch of acid to wake up your palate? Check. It’s awesome.
[pinterest text=”Salmon Meatballs with dill and caper tartar sauce and red onion ceviche (low carb and gluten free) – ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/salmonballssmall-668×950.jpg”]
I use a combination of fresh and smoked salmon in this recipe, which gives it a more complex flavor. The smoked salmon I use is the hot smoked, not the soft lox style. The lox style makes it taste too fishy in my opinion, and I don’t like the texture. But if you can’t get the hot smoked, or just don’t want to go to the trouble, you can use just the fresh salmon with great results too.
[pinterest text=”Salmon Meatballs with dill and caper tartar sauce and red onion ceviche (low carb and gluten free) – ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/salmonballs2small-700×939.jpg”]
These are fantastic as an appetizer, but are also satisfying as a main dish entree – especially paired with arugula and bacon as a salad. One of my favorite lunches!
If you don’t want to go the meatball route, you can also form these into patties.
PrintSalmon Meatballs (Low Carb & Gluten Free)
- Yield: 16 salmon balls 1x
Description
A low carb and gluten free salmon meatball recipe that is perfect as an appetizer or a main dish salad.
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 16 oz fresh, raw salmon
- 4 oz smoked salmon (not lox style)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp chives (or scallions), chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
For the tartar sauce
- 1 Tbl capers, drained & chopped
- 1/2 tsp caper brine from jar
- 2 Tbl dill pickles or cornichons, chopped
- 1 Tbl fresh dill, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
For the onions
- 1/4 cup red onion, very thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Make the onions first, because they need time to soften and mellow. Then the tartar sauce so they flavors can meld. Do the meatballs last.
For the onions:
- At least 30 minutes before serving, combine the onions and lemon juice in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
For the tartar sauce:
- Combine all of the tartar sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Chill until ready to serve.
For the meatballs:
- Remove the skin and any bones from the salmon. Dice the raw salmon with a sharp knife. Crumble the smoked salmon into small pieces using your fingers. Combine all of the salmon and the remainder of the meatball ingredients in a medium bowl. Form into 16 meatballs. Fry in a nonstick pan with a small amount of oil until golden brown (about 2 minutes per side). Don’t overcook or they will dry out.
- Serve garnished with arugula and lemon wedges. Also excellent with bacon or pancetta crumbled over the top.
Notes
Approximate nutrition information:
per “naked” meatball: 62 calories, 3g fat, .25g net carbs, 8g protein
per “naked” serving (4): 248 calories, 12g fat, 1g net carbs, 32g protein
per meatball with the works: 94 calories, 7g fat, .6g net carbs, 8g protein
per (4) meatballs with works: 378 calories, 27g fat, 2g net carbs, 8g protein
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 salmon balls
[pinterest text=”Salmon Meatballs with dill and caper tartar sauce and red onion ceviche (low carb and gluten free) – ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/salmonballs3small-655×950.jpg”]
So I couldn’t help but notice that you haven’t downloaded your copy of the IBIH Summer Recipes e-zine yet.
I’m trying not to take it personally. In case it was just an oversight, don’t worry, it’s not too late to join the hundreds of people who are already enjoying these awesome recipes.
Go ahead. I’ll wait here… ;)
Antje says
Worcester Sauce is usually not gluten free (contains Malt Vinegar made from Barley)
lizsarge says
I made these today! They are delicate and light and the dill dip is refreshing and delicious! Another fabulous recipe!
Alicia says
Mellissa – have you ever tried baking meatballs in a mini muffin pan? I am not such a great meatball fryer and thought muffin pan cooking might be easier. Do you think they might be too dry this way?
Mellissa Sevigny says
Honestly I don’t know if it’s worth even putting them in the muffin pan Alicia – when I bake them I just do it on a cookie sheet! But a muffin pan will probably work too if that’s what you have!
Michael says
Those look so good. I think I’ll make them this week.
Though it looks like the protein on “per (4) meatballs with works” is a typo.
Mellissa Sevigny says
For this recipe, it’s 3 meatballs per serving (I know I sometimes do four, sorry for the confusion!) so the protein is correct. Hope you like them! :)
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
These look UTTERLY SCRUMPTIOUS! :D
Donna says
GORGEOUS images of an equally gorgeous dish. I’m imagining that a few ultra-thin discs or shavings of black radish would be pretty in there as well. New, impressed, avid follower of your culinary genius.
Sonia! The Healthy Foodie says
Droooooooooling! Want!
What a brilliant idea, Mellissa. I wish I’d thought of that myself. :)
Carolyn says
Yum, I love salmon in any way, shape or form!
Marci says
I can’t wait to try these! Any idea how well they freeze?
Mellissa Sevigny says
Not sure Marci, but cooked seafood doesn’t usually hold up well to freezing in my experience, so I’m skeptical that they would be good after being frozen. Let me know if you try it though!
Dee James says
Mellissa, I have downloaded the Summer Recipe Book, don’t know why it doesn’t show up on your end. I have been using it, and enjoying the new recipes. Thanks, Dee
Mary I. says
How do you “shave” red onion?
Mellissa Sevigny says
Fair enough Mary, I changed it to “very thinly sliced.” Seriously though, the thinner the better! Use a very sharp knife, or a mandolin on a very thin setting for best results!