Salmon patties are a classic dish that never seems to go out of style. Also known as salmon croquettes or salmon cakes, these flaky, savory patties are a great way to enjoy salmon’s rich flavor in a fun new form While salmon patties are often pan-fried, grilling them can add tempting smoky notes while keeping the interior moist With a few simple tips, you can learn how to grill salmon patties to crispy, golden brown perfection.
Picking the Right Salmon
The first step is selecting high-quality salmon to make your patties. Wild-caught salmon varieties like sockeye and coho are ideal choices with their deep orange-red color indicating plenty of healthy omega-3s. Make sure the salmon looks glossy and moist without any dull or dry areas. Previously frozen salmon works just fine too. For convenience, canned red salmon also performs wonderfully in patties. Just drain and flake the canned fish before use.
Seasoning and Binder Options
Seasoning and binder ingredients are very important for making your salmon patties taste great. Consider adding any of the following:
- Finely diced onions or shallots
- Minced garlic
- Fresh parsley, dill, or other herbs
- Grated lemon zest
- Capers or pickle relish
- Hot sauce or cajun seasoning (for spice)
- Panko breadcrumbs, cracker crumbs, or oats (for binding)
- Grated parmesan or cheddar cheese
- Egg, mayo, or plain Greek yogurt (to help hold patties together)
Mix and match components to create your ideal salmon patty blend. Just avoid overworking the mixture, which can make the patties dense or dry.
Shaping the Patties
Once your salmon patty mixture is prepared, shape it into evenly sized patties for even grilling. Use lightly oiled hands to form 3-4 inch wide patties about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Handle the patties gently when shaping them to avoid compressing the texture. Chilling the patties for 30 minutes before grilling can help them hold their shape better.
Time to Grill
Preheating your grill properly is essential for salmon patties. The grill should be about 400°F hot before you oil the grates so food doesn’t stick. If you want to make flipping salmon patties easier, you could use a grilling basket or a perforated pan on the grill.
Cook the patties over direct high heat for 4-5 minutes per side. Resist the urge to move them around too much. Let the patties develop nice grill marks and a crust before gently flipping with a thin spatula. Depending on thickness, they may need a minute or two more on the second side.
Checking for Doneness
Salmon patties cook quickly on the grill, so pay close attention during cooking. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. You’ll want them to reach 145°F in the thickest part. The patties will be cloudy at this point and easily fall apart when poked.
Be careful not to overcook them, or the salmon can turn dry and rubbery. err on the side of slightly undercooked when in doubt. The patties will continue cooking for a bit after removing from the grill as they rest.
Serving Your Salmon Patties
Once grilled to flaky perfection, let your salmon patties rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute evenly. Serve the patties on buns for salmon patty sandwiches, or enjoy them on their own with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or creamy coleslaw on the side. A chilled glass of white wine or wheat beer makes the ideal beverage pairing.
Handy Tips for Grilling Success
Follow these tips for flawlessly grilled salmon patties every time:
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Chill patties before grilling to help them hold shape better.
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Use a grilling basket or pan for easier flipping if needed.
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Preheat grill fully and oil grates to prevent sticking.
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Cook over direct high heat for best sear and color.
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Resist flipping patties more than once per side.
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Check temperature to avoid over or undercooking.
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Let patties rest before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
With a premium salmon fillet, flavorful additions, and proper grilling technique, you can enjoy the very best salmon patties. The combination of a crisp exterior with a moist, delicate interior is what makes these patties so crave-worthy. Serve them up at your next cookout or picnic for a tasty crowd-pleasing dish.
Here’s why this recipe is the only recipe for GRILLED SALMON BURGERS you’ll ever need:
The most important ingredient in this recipe is fresh salmon. Before the fishmonger wraps up your order, ask him or her to remove those troublesome pin bones. Pin bones are not attached to the skeleton of the salmon and in essence float within the flesh. Since you’ll have to cut the fish by hand, it’s best to have a professional do it. It will save you a lot of time and stress.
In the video, I make it clear that cutting the fish by hand is the only way to do it. Although you may be tempted to use a food processor, don’t. The goal is to make these burgers with small, varied sizes of chopped salmon. This helps them stick together and further prevents them from falling apart on the barbecue.
The two binding agents for these SALMON BURGERS are panko breadcrumbs and egg. The panko soaks up any excess moisture while the eggs help keep the burgers together as they cook. These two ingredients are the secrets of success for the recipe.
I was eating salmon sushi on my way up to the cottage when I had an idea: I want SALMON BURGERS to taste like this! This recipe captures the taste of spicy salmon, made better with pickled ginger, wasabi, and mayo. The result is something wickedly delicious. Click HERE to watch a short video about our wonderful WASABI MAYONNAISE.
It is very important that you put your salmon burgers in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before grilling them. This helps them “keep it together” when they hit the grill.
We tried this recipe three times and came up with the following cook times for an 8-ounce steak on a 450°F grill: burgers, place them onto the barbecue, close the lid and cook undisturbed for 3 minutes. Flip them and cook for an additional 3 minutes. When making smaller, 4oz. slider-sized patties, cook for 2½ minutes, flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Pressing down on the middle of the burger is a great way to see if it’s done without cutting it while it’s cooking. If it feels nice and firm, you’re done, or should I say, they are!.
I like serving the burgers on my favourite hamburger and slider buns. Use whichever ones you like best. Cover the burgers with soy sauce and sesame seeds before adding the toppings below. That’s a nice touch!
Combining a favourite store-bought mayonnaise with chopped pickled ginger and wasabi delivers a welcome, punchy flavour boost. I cut down on the wasabi in this recipe so that everyone could enjoy it, but I always add more to my own taste. Adding a few slices of cucumber to these burgers is unexpected but oh so right.
One last thing about these burgers: do what I did and don’t put ketchup and mustard on them. Why mess around with perfection?!.
If you want a tasty side dish to go with your meal, try our WARM BEAN SALAD or CREAMY COLESLAW.
The homemade, handmade GRILLED SALMON BURGERS are perfect!
Our recipe for GRILLED SALMON BURGERS is surprisingly easy to prepare. Chop up this favourite fresh fish and boost the flavours with a few key ingredients. Then, form the patties and grill them to perfection. What could be more perfect?.
For all the pescatarians out there, we set out to make a burger recipe that would make the burgers truly unforgettable. It was also important that they held their shape when cooking, and also stayed moist and tender. Judging by the compliments we received from our recipe testers, we achieved all of that and then some.
Salmon Patties – Old Fashioned, Southern Recipe!
FAQ
How long does salmon need to be on the grill?
How do you keep salmon burgers from sticking to the grill?
How do you know when salmon patties are done?
What temperature do you grill salmon burgers?
How do you cook salmon Patty on a grill?
Shape the salmon mixture into patties. Place them on a greased grill basket, then spray a little cooking oil on each patty. Place the grill basket with patties onto the grill. Close the lid, then cook the patties for 5-6 minutes. Carefully flip each patty, then cook for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from the grill.
What are the benefits of smoked salmon over raw salmon?
It actually has the same characteristics as raw salmon, being relatively low in calories, it is an excellent source of protein, good fat and several vitamins and minerals. The smoking process just adds an aroma.
How do you cook salmon patties?
In a pan, heat half of olive oil over a medium heat. Add patties and cook a few of the patties for 5 minutes on each side. Add the remaining olive oil to the pan, and cook the rest of the salmon patties. Serve on a hamburger bun with lemon wedges and your choice of toppings.
How do you cook salmon burgers on a grill?
In a large bowl, mix the salmon and eggs together. Add chopped scallions, cilantro, pepper, and the bread crumbs to the mix. Shape into burger patties. Preheat grill for medium-high heat. Spray a large piece of heavy foil with grilling spray, place over grill grates. Brush each side of salmon patties with olive oil.