Ultimate Salmon Burgers Recipe

Juicy Homemade Salmon Burgers Recipe: Flavorful Seafood Delight

Sizzling and packed with flavor, these homemade salmon burgers burst with coastal freshness that will make your taste buds dance.

Ocean-caught salmon blends seamlessly with zesty herbs and crisp ingredients to create a mouthwatering meal.

Every bite promises a delightful combination of tender fish and perfectly seasoned texture.

We’ve crafted a simple yet sophisticated recipe that turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience.

The patties hold together beautifully, delivering a protein-rich meal that feels both elegant and comforting.

Quick to prepare and irresistibly delicious, these salmon burgers offer a healthier alternative to traditional beef options.

Get ready to impress everyone at the table with this stellar seafood creation that comes together in minutes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 470 kcal

Servings: 5

Salmon Burger Staples You’ll Need

For Burger Base:
  • Salmon Fillets: Fresh, wild-caught salmon ensures rich flavor and optimal texture for your patties.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: Light and crispy crumbs help bind the burger and create a delicate, golden exterior.
  • Shallot: Adds subtle, sweet onion undertones that complement the salmon's richness.
  • Garlic: Brings a pungent, aromatic depth to the burger mixture.
  • Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing the salmon's natural taste.
For Creamy Binding and Flavor:
  • Mayonnaise, Dijon Mustard: Creamy binders that add tangy richness and help hold the burger together.
For Fresh Garnish and Brightness:
  • Lemon: Provides zesty citrus notes that cut through the richness of the salmon.
  • Fresh Dill: Delicate herb that brings a bright, aromatic freshness to the burger.
  • Baby Arugula: Peppery greens that add a crisp, vibrant layer of texture.
For Serving and Toasting:
  • Brioche Buns: Soft, buttery bread that provides a luxurious base for the burger.
  • Olive Oil: Used for toasting buns and cooking burgers with a golden, crisp finish.

Essential Tools for Salmon Burger Night

  • Food Processor: Essential for blending salmon into a smooth, flavorful base and pulsing ingredients.
  • Skillet: Key for cooking salmon patties to golden-brown perfection over medium-high heat.
  • Cutting Board: Necessary for chopping salmon, shallots, and dill with ease.
  • Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation and cutting salmon into pieces.
  • Small Mixing Bowl: Perfect for preparing the dill mayo sauce and mixing ingredients.
  • Measuring Spoons and Cups: Important for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Spatula: Helpful for shaping patties and transferring them in the skillet.

Make Your Salmon Burgers Like This

  • Salmon Prep

Gather fresh salmon and slice it into manageable chunks. Break down the fish into smaller pieces that will blend smoothly in the food processor.

  • Flavor Foundation

Combine a portion of salmon with bright citrus zest, tangy mustard, and creamy mayo. This mixture creates a smooth base that helps bind the burger together and infuse deep flavor.

  • Texture Building

Pulse remaining salmon pieces with fragrant herbs and delicate shallots. Gently fold in crispy breadcrumbs to provide structure and crunch to the patties.

  • Chilling Moment

Shape the salmon mixture into neat patties and let them rest in the refrigerator. This helps the burgers hold their shape and allows flavors to meld together.

  • Sauce Creation

Whip together a zesty sauce using mayo, herbs, and a splash of lemon. This creamy condiment will elevate the burger’s overall taste profile.

  • Burger Sizzling

Heat a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil and cook patties until golden brown. Aim for a crisp exterior while maintaining a tender interior.

  • Final Assembly

Layer toasted buns with the prepared sauce, place the salmon patty, and crown with fresh peppery greens. Each bite promises a harmony of textures and flavors.

Tweak Your Salmon Burger Like a Pro

  • Smart Salmon Burger Prep: Use fresh, high-quality salmon and ensure it's properly chilled before processing to maintain ideal texture and prevent mushiness.
  • Texture Tricks: Pulse salmon mixture carefully to keep some chunky pieces for a more interesting mouthfeel, avoiding over-processing into a paste.
  • Chill Factor: Refrigerating patties before cooking helps them hold together better and develops deeper flavors, preventing them from falling apart during cooking.
  • Crispy Coating Hack: Lightly dust salmon patties with extra panko breadcrumbs just before cooking to create an extra-crispy golden exterior that adds delightful crunch.
  • Flavor Boosters: Experiment with additional herbs like chives or parsley, or try replacing some mayo with Greek yogurt for a tangier, lighter sauce variation.

Best Ways to Serve Salmon Burgers

  • Coastal Picnic Paradise: Pack these salmon burgers in a cooler with ice packs for a stunning beach or lakeside lunch. Wrap individually in parchment paper for easy transportation and elegant presentation.
  • Elegant Dinner Party Delight: Serve these gourmet salmon burgers as an upscale appetizer by cutting them into smaller sliders. Accompany with a crisp white wine and garnish with fresh dill sprigs for a sophisticated touch.
  • Wellness Bowl Transformation: Deconstruct the burger by placing the salmon patty over a bed of mixed greens, quinoa, and roasted vegetables. Drizzle the dill mayo as a dressing for a nutritious, low-carb meal option that's packed with protein and flavor.
  • Summer Entertaining Hack: Create a build-your-own salmon burger station with various toppings like pickled red onions, cucumber slices, capers, and extra dill mayo. This interactive approach allows guests to customize their burgers and adds a fun, social element to your gathering.

Store and Plan Ahead with Salmon Burgers

  • Fridge-Fresh Strategy: Store salmon burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Wrap each patty individually with plastic wrap to maintain texture and prevent flavor transfer.
  • Quick Freeze Method: Uncooked salmon patties can be frozen flat on a parchment-lined tray for 1 hour, then transfer to freezer bags. They'll stay fresh for 1 month, ready to cook directly from frozen with an extra 2-3 minutes of cooking time.
  • Sauce Smart Storage: Keep dill mayo separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It maintains peak freshness for 3-4 days and can be a delicious spread for other sandwiches or as a dipping sauce.
  • Meal Prep Magic: Prepare burger patties and dill mayo sauce in advance. Patties can be shaped and chilled up to 24 hours before cooking, making weeknight dinners faster and easier. Simply remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking for best results.
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Ultimate Salmon Burgers Recipe

Ultimate Salmon Burgers


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4.5 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Pacific Northwest salmon burgers blend fresh ingredients with coastal culinary traditions. Each bite delivers rich flavors that connect home cooks with regional seafood expertise, inviting you to savor a delicious maritime experience.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680 g) salmon fillets, skin removed
  • 4 brioche buns
  • ½ cup (75 g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 5 tbsps (75 mL) mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsps (30 mL) olive oil
  • 1 oz (28 g) baby arugula (about 1 packed cup)
  • 1 medium lemon
  • 1 small bunch fresh dill, divided
  • 1 small shallot
  • 1 small clove garlic
  • 1.5 tsps (7.5 mL) Dijon mustard
  • ¾ tsp (4 g) kosher salt, plus a pinch
  • ¼ tsp (1 g) freshly ground black pepper, plus a few grinds

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Segment salmon into uniform 1-inch chunks for consistent cooking quality.
  2. Mixture Creation: Pulse a portion of salmon with lemon zest, juice, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth, then incorporate remaining salmon, dill, and shallot with minimal pulsing to maintain textural integrity.
  3. Binding Process: Gently fold panko breadcrumbs into the salmon mixture, carefully forming four equal patties while preserving the delicate texture.
  4. Chilling Stage: Refrigerate patties for 20 minutes to enhance structural stability and prevent potential disintegration during cooking.
  5. Sauce Preparation: Whisk dill mayo ingredients – mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper – until thoroughly combined and smooth.
  6. Cooking Protocol: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, cooking salmon patties for 3 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking.
  7. Bun Preparation: Lightly toast brioche buns to enhance textural contrast and warmth.
  8. Final Assembly: Layer dill mayo on buns, place salmon patties, and garnish with fresh arugula leaves for a gourmet presentation.
  9. Serving Recommendation: Present immediately to maximize flavor profile and optimal temperature of the salmon burgers.

Notes

  • Precise Salmon Cutting: Keep salmon chunks uniform to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the patties.
  • Binding Technique: Creating a smooth salmon paste first helps bind ingredients, ensuring patties hold together during cooking.
  • Texture Preservation: Minimal pulsing when adding remaining salmon maintains desirable chunky texture and prevents over-processing.
  • Chilling Critical: Refrigerating patties for 20 minutes helps them set, reduces potential breakage, and enhances overall structural integrity during cooking.
  • Heat Management: Medium-high heat creates perfect golden-brown exterior while maintaining salmon’s delicate moisture and flavor.
  • Serving Strategy: Toast brioche buns and assemble immediately to preserve temperature and maximize flavor experience.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 470
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 650 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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