Want a healthy weeknight dinner, but don’t want to spend forever in the kitchen? Then you will love this salmon burgers recipe! Packed with nutritious ingredients and flavorful mix-ins, these fresh salmon burgers are guaranteed to please!
Three Must-Know Cooking Skills
For recipe success, learn how to:
Culinary Tips for the Best Salmon Burgers
Learning how to make salmon burgers is way less complicated than it sounds! Follow these culinary tips for guaranteed success.
If you don’t have a food processor, you can also chop and dice all of the ingredients by hand. Dice the salmon, onions, and parsley into small enough pieces that you will easily be able to mix all of the ingredients together.
If you have picky eaters, dice the onions finely so that they don’t notice them.
The best way to cook salmon burgers on the stove is to remember the 3 F’s: fire, fat, and food! Heat your pan, heat your oil, then add the burgers! Once the salmon patty burgers are on the skillet, don’t move them around. Keeping them in place helps ensure maximum flavor development and browning.
How do you know how long to cook salmon burgers? That will mostly depend on how hot your pan is and how thick you make the salmon patties, but we have found ~4 minutes per side creates great texture and flavor. Use a food thermometer for food safety; 145ºF is the desired internal temperature.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Salmon: substitute arctic char or steelhead trout.
- Shallot or Onion: substitute white, yellow, or green onions.
- Fresh Herbs: use any herb or combination of herbs. Basil, chives, cilantro, dill, and Italian parsley are all great choices.
- Garlic: substitute ½ teaspoon garlic flakes, ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic, or ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder.
- Dijon Mustard: substitute stone-ground or spicy mustard.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: substitute plain, whole wheat, or seasoned bread crumbs, but cut back on the added salt if you do. Panko is typically very low in sodium.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: substitute canola or avocado oil.
Recipe Variations
Turn these into salmon burger sliders by reducing the patty size to ~2 inches in diameter.
Add sauces, spreads, and aiolis to your taste! Make pesto salmon burgers by replacing the dijon and herbs with 2 Tablespoons homemade or store bought pesto. Make salmon burgers with dill sauce as seen in our dill & yogurt salmon recipe.
Want a spicy salmon burger? Add ½ of a jalapeño (seeds and pith removed) in with the onion and garlic.
Although we have never tried making salmon burgers with canned salmon, you are welcome to try! We would love to hear how it turns out for you. Be sure to drain the liquid in the can before mixing.
Equipment Recommendations
Use these kitchen tools for recipe success!
- Food Processor
- Spatula
- Measuring Spoons & Cups
- Cutting Board
- Chef’s Knife
- 10 – 12” Skillet
- Wide Turner/Spatula
- Meat Thermometer
Are Salmon Burgers Healthy?
Absolutely! These healthy burgers feature salmon, fresh herbs, and whole grains.
Salmon
The American Heart Association recommends eating two, 3.5-ounce servings of fish per week, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend 8 total ounces per week for the general population. Why? Because fish is a quality source of protein that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Fatty fish, like salmon, is high in EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, which is good for heart and brain health.
Confused about which salmon to purchase? Wild-caught is known for having a higher omega-3 content, but surprisingly, that’s not always the case! We recommend consulting the Monterrey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch app to help guide your seafood purchasing decisions.
Fresh Herbs
Not only do fresh herbs add a pop of freshness and flavor to these burgers, but they add nutrition too! Herbs are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that promote health and help fight diseases.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are a good source of fiber, phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals. Fiber is important for digestion, satiety, stable blood sugar, good cholesterol, and healthy gut bacteria. Phytochemicals work as antioxidants to help fight off diseases and keep us well.
How to Serve Salmon Burgers
What are the best toppings for salmon burgers? We like serving salmon burgers with avocado slices and pickled vegetables on a whole grain bun. Feel free to add any of your favorite condiments for salmon burger satisfaction!
You can also make a salmon burger salad by layering burger slices on top of a bed of greens and drizzling with a healthy vinaigrette or aioli.
Slice the burgers for an easy finger food or make smaller salmon burger sliders for kids. Roasted vegetables and salads are great sides for burgers.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Burgers
Cool leftover salmon patties completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Leftover burgers can also be frozen. To freeze, place on a baking sheet and freeze. Once the burgers are completely frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat, place the burgers on a pan and place in a cold oven. Turn on the oven and heat to 350ºF. Once it hits 350° F, the burgers should be warmed and about ready! Use a meat thermometer and check the temperature to confirm.
Wondering what to do with leftover salmon patties? Make a salmon burger salad for lunch, or heat through and serve over a Mediterranean barley salad.
Want more healthy weeknight meals?
Try these other simple dinner recipes!
Salmon Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 medium shallot or ¼ small onion (~¼ cup diced)
- ½ cup lightly packed fresh herbs – basil, chives, cilantro, dill, or parsley (~2 Tablespoons finely chopped)
- 1 garlic clove, peeled
- 1 pound salmon, skinned and deboned
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice (~½ medium lemon)
- ½ Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup Panko bread crumbs (whole grain suggested)
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or enough to coat the bottom of the heated pan)
- 4 whole grain hamburger buns, lightly toasted
Instructions
- Add shallot, herbs, and garlic to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse chop until finely chopped.
- Cut salmon into 2-3” chunks. Add to processor along with the egg, dijon mustard, lemon juice, and salt. Pulse chop until salmon is finely chopped, but not pureed. Add panko and briefly pulse chop again, 2-3 times.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat.
- While skillet is heating, use your hands to form 4 patties.
- Add oil to pan. Once the oil is shimmering, add the salmon burgers. Cook patties ~4 minutes per side. Serve with toasted buns and desired toppings. Enjoy!
This Post Has 2 Comments
Great recipe! I used the leftover salmon burger patties to make a salmon salad sandwich, and it hit the spot! I combined some diced red onion, celery, mayo, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and black pepper, and it was a perfect combo for a quick and filling dinner.
Yummy! Great idea!