I think I might be the last food blogger to officially jump on the quinoa bandwagon. It is not that I had anything against this grain, I simply just had no drive to go out buy it. I was doing mighty fine with my plain old white rice (daughter of a rice farmer), brown rice and couscous. Why did I need to add in yet another starchy carb to the mix. Answer: Because it is the best little grain in the world! I mean seriously. Why didn’t someone slap me across the face and say WAKE UP JESSICA! YOU MUST EAT QUINOA! I would have listened? Okay, maybe not I am kinda stubborn but nonetheless I would have taken it more seriously, maybe….
Quinoa has a wonderful light, fluffy texture and slightly nutty flavor and the cooking ease makes this little grain my new best friend. You would be hard-pressed to find someone who loves rice but doesn’t love quinoa which means you would also be hard-pressed to find a recipe where quinoa doesn’t replace rice-might I say- PERFECTLY! Which leads me to my dish- Quinoa Salmon Meatballs!
I had leftover quinoa last Monday night along with leftover salmon my husband had smoked over the weekend. I have never been one to love leftovers (I make my husband carry the leftover box out of a restaurant) unless I have transformed them completely into a brand new dish. I have made salmon and rice cakes before so I saw no reason why I couldn’t create the same type of dish but using quinoa instead. I decided to form the patties into small meatballs that would set themselves up for a perfect bake in the oven. The meatballs were out of this world. I felt like a scientist in a way because you literally felt like you were eating two separate dishes- smoked salmon on the left and quinoa on the right yet both textures and flavors were combined into one magical bite- making me a scientist right???
All joking aside. The meatballs are absolutely delicious. My husband who doesn’t love to venture out in the culinary world to often even loved them. They are perfect and healthy for the kids and again- couldn’t be easier to make. We all like easy right! There are two key flavors in this dish- the sweet and spicy mango sauce and the Dill Greek Yogurt Dipping Sauce. You can’t have the meatballs without the sauce! Which is true for any meatball dish:) Don’t go making life harder than it has to be. I only want you to make this dish when you have leftover salmon to use. Time is to precious to go marinating and seasoning up a nice salmon fillet only to bake it and shred it to pieces:) Plus the cold leftover salmon tends to bind with the egg and quinoa much better!
- 1½ cup cooked salmon, shredded
- 1½ cup cooked quinoa
- 3 tsp minced garlic
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 5 TBSP Saucy Mama Dijon Mustard
- ¾ tsp cracked black pepper
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¾ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp dill
- 1 tsp Panola Spicy and Sweet Mango Sauce
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 TBSP fresh basil, roughly chopped
- 1 TBSP fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- Greek Yogurt Dill Sauce
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1½ TBSP fresh dill
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon salt
- dash of pepper
- Preheat the oven to 400° and grease a large baking dish with olive oil. In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients, leaving the eggs and herbs for last. Form the mixture into twenty four 1-inch meatballs or larger and smaller depending on your preference. Place the meatballs in the baking dish, cover with foil and roast for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and roast for another 5-7 minutes until slightly golden brown.
- For the Sauce:
- Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl. Serve at room temperature.
Quinoa does rock! Hello complete protein and so yummy! These look perfect
I think I am behind you on this wagon, trying however to cook with it. I did make a wonderful salad with it years ago, maybe it is time to make these. My husband loves salmon.
Wow! What a great idea on using the leftovers and reinventing these salmon meatballs.
Fantastic recipe to serve as an appetizer too! And, I love the yogurt dill sauce, it’s perfect.
Oh so yum! I think technically it is a seed? Regardless though, I bet these will be perfect for my little man!
You are next to last! I’ve only done quinoa once and it didn’t turn out well. Your recipe looks and sounds delicious and I’m committed to trying again.
Best,
Bonnie
I love salmon and salmon cakes, but in meatball form? I never thought of that! These look seriously delicious.
Qunioa and salmon! GREAT combination! Definitely it didn’t occur in my head, and I already love this idea! I’ll def need to try this one when I go back from Japan… yogurt dill sauce sounds refreshing for these meatballs and other recipes. I love it!
Since I love salmon patties – and Quinoa – I know I would love these salmon meatballs – lovely creative recipe and the dill sauce sounds perfect!
I think that you’ll enjoy using quinoa in many recipes–it is so versatile. Protein-rich too. Great idea combining it with salmon for a summery meatball.
YUM! these look like the perfect “superfood” dish!! SO delicious and healthy –
Mary
What’s not to love about these babies? I adore salmon and quinoa…and the dipping sauce sounds terrific, too!
I have the same experience with quinoa, too. I actually brought one several years ago and ended up throwing the whole unopened bag into the bin! So glad that there is so many new recipes for it these day and I just love your salmon meatballs!
Now Jessica, you know you can’t just presents salmon on your wonderful blog and expect me not to get hungry lol. This looks absolutely amazing… I LOVE THIS. Must Make it.
We are crazy for quinoa! These salmon meatballs look divine!
Ooh I love these and frequently I have left-over salmon that would be perfect for these balls. You’re not the last to love quinoa. For years when I first became popular I couldn’t find it, searched every supermarket I visited with no luck. Now that it’s available I forget about it. But I won’t now that I have these great recipe and the yogurt sounds perfect for dipping.
Sam
I’ve been trying to eat more healthy fish so these look perfect! So intrigued by the addition of the mango sauce!
Yay for jumping onto the quinoa bandwagon, salmon meatball first! Love the mediterranean flavor infused into these!
This is such a great idea! I’m particularly drawn to the use of sweet and spicy mango sauce. That has to take these over the top! I’m also impressed with how you repurposed leftovers. I too am typically not a fan and never carry the box out of the restaurant (the one exception being pizza!). 🙂
I really like quinoa but I’ve only been eating it just over a year. Who knew? I love how you’ve used it with salmon to make meatballs.
I am so excited to try these!
This has to be the best quinoa recipe I have seen! Heavenly Belle.
I have only ever made a salad using quinoa which is always a taste explosion but now with the colder weather it has taken a back seat.
Have a beautiful weekend.
🙂 Mandy xo
How gorgeous are these! I love using quinoa and these little balls are so cute!
Love it when leftovers makes the best of meals 🙂
I’ve seen this type of crust so many times in the blog world and every time I mention it to my hubby is always has a “look”. Perhaps I’ll give it a go when he’s not home. Love the look of your version.
Loving this recipe! I am big on quinoa too. In fact these days, I substitute it for rice. Unfortunately, a couple of times I have had some stones in the quinoa. Have you ever experienced that. Is there a particular brand you recommend?
Going to try this recipe. So healthy and delicious!!!
Positively an amazing combination!!! I would never have thought to have put these together… but I can see myself making these time and again.