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Home | Recipes | Salmon Burgers

Salmon Burgers

Published on May 23, 2023 by Stephanie Kay

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These salmon burgers are the perfect addition to any summer BBQ! Made with fresh salmon and topped with a creamy yogurt dill sauce, these burgers are moist and tender and a healthy high-protein meal the whole family is sure to love.

Salmon burgers topped with dill sauce, cucumber, and watercress, sitting on a wood cutting board on a white background.

If you like seafood and you like burgers, you’re going to love these grilled salmon burgers! They’re moist, full of flavor and, the best part is, they are incredibly easy to make. In a few simple steps, you can create delicious salmon patties that you can enjoy on a burger bun or on top of your favorite salad for a healthy lunch or dinner.

Ingredients for salmon burgers: fresh salmon, breadcrumbs, parsley, egg, and lemon.

Ingredients for Salmon Burgers

You’ll need the following ingredients to make the burgers:

  • Salmon: You can use fresh or frozen salmon; just ensure it’s thawed before using.
  • Breadcrumbs: To help bind the burgers and add some texture.
  • Egg: To bind the burgers and add some protein.
  • Parsley: To flavor the burgers, you can use dried or fresh parsley.
  • Green Onion: To add flavor.
  • Dijon Mustard: To help create a crust on the burger patties.
  • Lemon Juice: To add a bit of brightness.
  • Salt and Black Pepper: To season the burgers.

I recommend topping the burgers with dill sauce, for which you’ll need some yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic, dill, lemon, salt, and pepper.

Dietary Adaptions

To Make them Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and a gluten-free burger bun.

To Make them Dairy-Free: Omit the dill yogurt sauce topping.

To Make them Egg-Free: Swap the egg for a flax egg.

Salmon burger mixture made of chopped salmon, egg, breadcrumbs, parsley, and mustard in a white bowl.

How to Make Salmon Burgers

Here’s how to make grilled salmon burgers:

  1. Chop the salmon. Begin by chopping the salmon into small pieces.
  2. Add the seasonings. Mix the chopped salmon with the onion, parsley, egg, lemon juice, and mustard, and stir to combine.
  3. Form the patties. Form the chopped salmon mixture into patties.
  4. Grill the burgers. Add the burger patties to the grill and cook until golden brown on each side, roughly 3-4 minutes per side.
  5. Serve as desired. Once grilled, the burgers can be served on a bun with toppings of your choice.

You can find the detailed instructions in the recipe card below.

Red’s Nutrition Tip

Although burgers are often considered an unhealthy choice, burgers are recipes and the quality of ingredients and composition of a burger determine its healthfulness. Salmon burgers are high in protein and rich in healthy fats, specifically omega-3 fatty acids, and paired with a source of complex carbohydrate and fiber can easily create a balanced meal.

Raw homemade salmon burger patties.

How To Cook Salmon Burgers

On the Grill: Salmon burgers are best cooked on the grill as it allows for the best flavor and texture. Place the burgers on a hot grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side. The burgers should move easily off the grill, if sticking to the grill cook the burgers for an additional minute or until they comes off easily.

In a Grill Pan: Salmon burgers can be cooked in an oiled grill pan on medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes or until cooked through.

In a Pan: Salmon burgers can be cooked in an oiled pan or skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown.

In the Oven: Salmon burgers can be baked in the oven at 400°F on a baking sheet for 10-15, flipping the burger patties halfway through.

How to Know When Salmon Burgers Are Done

Salmon burgers are cooked when the internal temperature reaches 145°F (1). For medium-rare salmon, remove the burgers from the grill when the internal temperature reaches 125°F to 135°F, as the salmon will continue cooking a bit after it comes off the heat but remain tender and moist inside. Use a cooking thermometer to test the internal temperature of your burgers.

Grilled salmon burger patties in a grill pan.

Best Toppings for Salmon Burgers

When it comes to burgers, the topping options are endless, and you can truly customize your burger any way that you like. Here are some of my favorite toppings:

  • Cucumber
  • Red Onion
  • Avocado
  • Tomatoes
  • Lettuce
  • Arugula
  • Watercress
  • Coleslaw
  • Dill Sauce
  • Tartar Sauce
  • Garlic Aioli
  • Spicy Mayo
  • Pesto

I served my burgers on a brioche bun with yogurt sauce, sliced cucumber, and watercress because I thought it was a nice combination of summer flavors, however, you can certainly go more of the classic topping route if you prefer.

FAQs

Do you put cheese on a salmon burger?

While not all cheeses work well, salmon burgers pair well with herb Havarti cheese, feta cheese, cream cheese, and goat cheese.

What is the white stuff on salmon burgers?

The white stuff on salmon burgers is called albumin; a natural protein found in raw salmon that pushes to the surface when exposed to heat. While it may be unappealing to some, it’s harmless and can be removed if needed.

What can I do with leftover salmon burgers?

Leftover salmon burgers work well as a protein topping for salad, can be used in sandwiches or wraps, and pair well with a fried egg and a side of toast for a filling breakfast.

What is the difference between salmon patties and salmon burgers?

Salmon burgers are hamburger-style patties made with fresh salmon and seasonings, typically served on a burger bun. Salmon patties are croquettes typically made from canned salmon, chopped peppers, eggs, and breadcrumbs.

A salmon burger with dill sauce on a brioche bun with yogurt sauce.

Storage + Reheating

To Refrigerate: Allow the burger patties to cool completely and then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

To Freeze: Once cooled, the burger patties can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Salmon burger patties can be reheated in the oven at 400°F on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 5 minutes or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

More Salmon Recipes:

  • Salmon Quinoa Bowls
  • Spicy Salmon Roll Bowls
  • Salmon Meal Prep Bowls
  • Creamy Tuscan Salmon
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Salmon burgers topped with dill sauce, cucumber, and watercress, sitting on a wood cutting board on a white background.

Salmon Burgers

Author: Stephanie Kay

Made with fresh salmon and dill yogurt sauce topped onto a brioche bun, these healthy grilled salmon burgers are a delicious and nutritious high-protein dinner idea.

  • Author: Stephanie Kay
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Total Time: 23 minutes
  • Yield: 4 burgers
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Grilled
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Ingredients

Salmon Burgers:

  • 1 pound salmon
  • 1 green onion, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Dill Sauce:

  • 1/3 cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1/2 clove garlic, grated (optional)
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

To Serve:

  • 4 brioche buns
  • 1/2 English cucumber, sliced into ribbons
  • 2 cups watercress or arugula

Instructions

  1. Remove the skin from the salmon and cut it into large cubes or chunks. In a food processor or on a cutting board with a large knife, pulse or chop the salmon very finely until it looks like ground meat. Be careful not to over-blend it, you want the pieces to be small, but you still want some chunks of salmon in there.
  2. Transfer salmon mixture to a large bowl, add green onion, breadcrumbs, egg, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and parsley, and using a spoon or spatula, mix until well combined.
  3. Once mixed, divide the salmon mixture into 4 equal-sized burger patties, and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
  4. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, add salmon burgers to the grill, and cook for 3-4 minutes on one side, flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on the other side until golden brown.
  5. While the burgers are cooking, make the dill sauce; in a small bowl, combine the yogurt, mayonnaise, dill, garlic, and lemon juice and whisk to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
  6. If you’d like to toast the burger buns, add the buns to the grill for 1 minute or until golden brown, or place them in the oven on broil for 1-2 minutes until golden.
  7. Once cooked, remove the patties from the grill and assemble the burgers. Spread a spoonful of the dill yogurt sauce on the bottom of a brioche bun, top with a salmon burger patty, sliced cucumber, and a handful of watercress or arugula.
  8. The burgers can be served immediately, and any leftover salmon burger patties can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freezer for up to 3 months.

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