The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Costco’s Delicious Salmon Burgers

Salmon burgers are a tasty and healthy alternative to traditional beef burgers. Costco’s salmon burgers are especially delicious. Made with wild Alaskan salmon these burger patties are full of flavor and omega-3 fatty acids.

Cooking Costco’s frozen salmon burgers is super easy. You can bake, grill pan fry or air fry them straight from the freezer. With just a few simple tricks you’ll have restaurant-quality salmon burgers ready in no time.

In this comprehensive guide I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook perfect salmon burgers every time.

An Overview of Costco’s Wild Salmon Burgers

Costco’s salmon burgers are made by Trident Seafoods using wild Alaskan salmon. The burgers contain minimal ingredients to let the flavor of the salmon shine through.

Each salmon burger patty contains:

• Wild Alaskan salmon
• Vegetable oil
• Onion
• Lemon juice
• Seasonings like garlic powder, mustard flour, white pepper

There is no gluten in the salmon burgers, and they are high in protein and omega-3s. One burger gives you 10% of your daily vitamin D needs and 20% of your daily protein needs.

You can find these burgers in the frozen seafood section at most Costco warehouses. They come in a 3 pound bag containing about 12 burger patties.

The burgers are pre-formed so you can cook them straight from frozen. No tedious shaping required!

Are Costco’s Salmon Burgers Healthy?

Absolutely! Salmon is one of the healthiest protein options out there.

The American Heart Association recommends eating salmon at least two times per week because of its numerous health benefits.

Here are some of the top health perks of salmon:

• High in protein – salmon burgers provide 20g protein per serving. Protein helps you feel full and satisfied.

• Full of omega-3 fatty acids – salmon contain anti-inflammatory omega-3s that are good for your heart, brain and joints.

• Low in saturated fat – salmon get their fat from heart healthy unsaturated fats. They are low in unhealthy saturated fat.

• Rich in vitamins and minerals – salmon provide vitamins D, B12, selenium and potassium.

Costco’s salmon burgers retain all the nutritional benefits of salmon in a convenient patty form. They are a nutritious option for any meal.

How to Cook Salmon Burgers Perfectly Every Time

Cooking Costco’s pre-made salmon burgers is simple. You just need to know the best cooking methods and temperatures for each technique.

Here are step-by-step instructions for cooking flawless salmon burgers four different ways:

Bake Salmon Burgers

Baking is one of the easiest and most foolproof ways to cook Costco’s salmon burgers.

Here’s how:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.

2. Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil or cooking spray.

3. Remove the salmon burger patties from the packaging and place them on the baking sheet. Make sure they aren’t touching each other.

4. Bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping the patties halfway through cooking. The burgers should turn golden brown on both sides.

5. Use a food thermometer to confirm the burgers reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Then remove them from the oven.

6. Allow the salmon burgers to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. The residual heat will finish cooking them to a safe internal temperature of 160°F.

Baking produces tender, flaky salmon burgers with a nice crispy exterior. It takes about 20 minutes start to finish.

Grill Salmon Burgers

Nothing beats a nicely charred salmon burger hot off the grill. Follow these steps for grilling salmon burgers to perfection:

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F.

2. Lightly oil the grill grates. This prevents sticking.

3. Place the frozen salmon patties directly onto the hot grill. Don’t try to thaw them first.

4. Grill the burgers for 4-5 minutes per side. You want nice grill marks on both sides.

5. Use tongs to flip the burgers carefully. Salmon is delicate and can fall apart easily.

6. Grill until the patties reach an internal temp of 145°F, about 8-10 minutes total.

7. Remove from the grill and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

The combination of smoky grill flavor and tender salmon is amazing. Grilling takes only 10 minutes or so from start to finish.

Pan Fry Salmon Burgers

Pan frying is the quickest and easiest way to cook salmon burgers indoors. Here’s how:

1. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

2. When the oil shimmers, add the frozen salmon patties. Make sure not to crowd the pan.

3. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden. Use a thin spatula to carefully flip them.

4. Cook until the burgers reach an internal temp of 145°F, about 8-10 minutes total.

5. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.

6. Let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Pan frying adds a nice crispy sear to keep the burgers moist and juicy inside. It takes only 10 minutes to pan fry salmon burgers start to finish.

Air Fry Salmon Burgers

Air frying locks in moisture while creating a perfectly crispy crust. Here’s how to air fry salmon burgers:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

2. Spray or brush the salmon patties with oil. This helps them get extra crispy.

3. Place the burgers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd.

4. Air fry for 8 minutes. Then flip and air fry 5 more minutes.

5. Check that the burgers reach an internal temp of 145°F.

6. Let the burgers rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Air frying gives you tender interiors and crunchy exteriors in just 15 minutes. It’s a great hands-off cooking method.

Handy Tips for Cooking Perfect Salmon Burgers

Follow these tips and tricks for cooking flawless salmon burgers every time:

• Always cook the burgers from frozen. Do not thaw before cooking.

• Brush or spray patties with oil before cooking for maximum browning.

• Do not crowd the burgers. Give them space to cook evenly.

• Use a digital food thermometer to check doneness. Salmon should reach 145°F.

• Let the burgers rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. The temperature will rise to 160°F.

• Be gentle when flipping to prevent delicate salmon from falling apart. Use a thin spatula.

• Do not overcook or the burgers will be dry. Salmon cooks fast, so watch carefully.

Master these simple techniques and you’ll have restaurant-worthy salmon burgers anytime.

Troubleshooting Common Salmon Burger Problems

Even though salmon burgers are fairly easy to make, you may occasionally run into some issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot the most common problems:

Burgers are dry and flaky: You overcooked them. Salmon dries out quickly once it reaches the proper internal temperature. Take them off the heat sooner next time.

Burgers fall apart when you flip them: Be extra gentle when flipping using a thin spatula. Also, make sure you oil them well before cooking. The oil helps hold them together.

Burgers stick to the pan or grill: Always brush the patties lightly with oil before cooking. Also, ensure the pan or grill is well-oiled and properly preheated before adding the burgers.

Burgers don’t brown properly: Use high heat and don’t crowd the pan or air fryer basket. Giving the burgers space ensures proper browning.

Burgers are unevenly cooked: Cook them gently over medium heat rather than high heat. Turn them frequently while cooking. This allows them to cook evenly throughout.

Follow these troubleshooting tips to avoid common mistakes when cooking salmon burgers.

Serving Suggestions for Salmon Burgers

Salmon burgers aren’t just for buns. There are so many delicious ways to serve them:

• Salmon burgers sandwiches – Top with all the classic burger fixings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup and mustard.

• Salmon tacos – Break up the cooked patties and place inside warmed corn tortillas with cabbage, pico de gallo and a spicy sauce.

• Salmon burger salad – Serve an unfrozen salmon burger patty on top of a fresh salad for a protein packed meal.