These salmon burgers are THE YUMMIEST! and made with just five ingredients. The best for a quick + easy high protein lunch or dinner.
It has a perfect golden color, crispy outsides, and flaky insides. It’s also very healthy, so THANK YOU SALMON.
Also, they’re simple to make and don’t require much, if any, grocery shopping if you keep your pantry well-stocked. I love, love, love these crispy pan-fried little guys.
The salmon burgers are tasty enough to eat by themselves, but I need you to make this slaw to go with them. It is simple: shredded cabbage, yogurt, herbs, garlic, and vinegar. But when you eat it with the salmon burgers, the crunchy, salty, and tangy taste goes SO well together.
Salmon burgers have become a rising star in the world of healthy, delicious meals Their tender, flaky texture and mild, savory salmon flavor make them an incredibly versatile option But what takes the salmon burger from good to great are the toppings, condiments, sides, and cooking methods that complement and enhance their flavors. In this article, we’ll explore expert tips to truly elevate your salmon burger experience.
Finding the Right Bun
The foundation of any great burger is the bun. When it comes to salmon burgers, you’ll want a bun that can stand up to the juiciness of the salmon patty while also complementing its flavors.
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Brioche bun The light sweetness and soft texture of a brioche bun is a perfect match for rich salmon The buttery richness won’t overpower the patty
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Whole wheat bun: For a healthier option, try a whole wheat bun. The nutty, wheaty flavors pair nicely with salmon without being too heavy.
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Lettuce wrap: Instead of a bun, wrap your salmon burger in crisp lettuce leaves. This allows the fresh flavors of the salmon to really shine.
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To make the dish heartier, choose an everything or sesame bagel. It brings out the salmon’s texture and adds a little extra crunch.
Condiments and Sauces That Compliment Salmon
Condiments and sauces are key for adding those final flavor notes that take your salmon burger to the next level. Here are some of the best options:
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Tartar sauce: This classic, tangy condiment made with pickles, capers, and herbs is a perfect match for salmon’s richness.
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Spicy mayo: For some heat, stir sriracha into mayonnaise for a creamy, spicy condiment.
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Pesto: The herby flavor of pesto complements salmon beautifully. Go for a traditional basil pesto or switch it up with sun-dried tomato pesto.
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Mango salsa: For a tropical twist, fresh mango salsa, with its sweet and tangy notes, brings a refreshing flavor.
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Lemon dill sauce: Bright lemon and fresh dill make a zesty sauce that enhances salmon’s natural flavors.
Toppings That Add Texture and Flavor Contrasts
The right toppings can bring your salmon burger to life by adding delicious contrasting textures and flavors. Get creative with these topping ideas:
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Avocado: Creamy, buttery avocado slices add a rich contrast to the salmon patty.
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Crispy bacon: A few bits of crunchy, savory bacon complement the salmon perfectly.
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Caramelized onions: For sweetness, caramelized onions bring a delightful burst of flavor.
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Cucumber slices: Cool and crisp cucumber slices cut through the salmon’s richness.
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Microgreens: Fresh microgreen add flavor and crunch as well as visual appeal.
Perfectly Paired Sides
A thoughtfully crafted side dish brings balance to your salmon burger meal. Consider these tasty options:
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Sweet potato fries: Bake crispy, salty sweet potato fries for a satisfying crunch and subtle sweetness.
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Mixed green salad: A simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette cleanses the palate between bites of your burger.
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Quinoa salad: Protein-packed quinoa salad with veggies makes a healthy, flavorful side.
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Coleslaw: Creamy, tangy coleslaw offers the perfect cooling counterpoint to a hot salmon burger.
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Corn on the cob: Grilled corn on the cob brings out summery flavors to complement the salmon.
Grilling Your Salmon Burgers to Perfection
One of the best cooking methods for salmon burgers is grilling. The char and smoke impart incredible flavor. Follow these tips for grilled salmon burgers done just right:
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Patty thickness should be about 1 inch – this prevents overcooking the center before the outside is browned.
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Oil the grill grates well to prevent sticking.Use a grill basket if needed.
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Grill over direct medium-high heat, 4-5 minutes per side.
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Cook until browned on both sides and patty reaches 145°F internally.
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Allow the patties to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Infusing Your Salmon Burgers with Flavor
One of the best parts of salmon burgers is just how easy they are to infuse with different flavors. Get creative with rubs, marinades, and mix-ins. Here are some ideas:
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Lemon Pepper Rub: Coat patties with a mixture of lemon zest, cracked black pepper and salt before grilling.
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Southwest Spice Rub: Cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano, and garlic make a bold rub.
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Teriyaki Marinade: Soak patties in a teriyaki marinade for added sweet and savory flavor.
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Jalapeño and Cilantro: For heat and freshness, mix diced jalapeños and cilantro into the salmon mixture.
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Sun-dried Tomatoes: Chopped sun-dried tomatoes mixed into patties add sweetness.
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Smoked Salmon: For an extra flavor boost, use part smoked salmon in your burger mixture.
With the right cooking techniques, flavor additions, toppings, sauces and sides, you can take your salmon burger experience to amazing new heights. Don’t be afraid to experiment with creative new flavor combinations and ingredients to make an absolutely mouthwatering meal. Your tastebuds will thank you!
Salmon Burgers with Slaw
- Author: Lindsay
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3–4 burgers 1x
These salmon burgers are THE YUMMIEST! and made with just five ingredients. The best for a quick + easy high protein lunch or dinner.
Salmon Burgers
- 12–14 ounces cooked salmon (canned is great! – see notes)
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, like chives, parsley, or dill
- a squeeze of lemon juice
- olive oil for pan-frying
Cabbage Slaw
- 1 head green cabbage, finely shredded
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2–3 tablespoons white distilled vinegar (more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs like chives, parsley, and dill
- a drizzle of olive oil
- For the salmon: Flake the salmon apart. Mix everything for the burger together, then make three or four big or medium patties. Put olive oil in a nonstick skillet and heat it over medium heat. Before you serve the burgers, make sure they are golden brown and crispy on both sides. Put on a plate lined with paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
- For the slaw: Mix all slaw ingredients together. Taste and adjust.
- Serve: Put those hot salmon burgers on a bed of creamy slaw and serve them. It tastes better to me with a little extra yogurt, oil, and herbs on top. Can’t stop me.
Breadcrumbs are important here. For a great texture, use panko. If you want to avoid refined grains, whole wheat breadcrumbs are a good choice. If you use a seasoned breadcrumb mix, reduce the amount of salt in the burgers by about 1/2.
For the salmon, you could use leftover steamed, poached, grilled, baked, whatever kinda salmon. If you don’t have any cooked salmon handy, use canned boneless skinless salmon! That’s what I usually do. I would recommend looking for a brand of canned salmon that is caught in the US. I really, really like Wild Planet for quality canned boneless skinless salmon. You can read more about their sourcing/fishing methods here.
If you have Sunshine Sauce in the fridge, you can use it to make the slaw! Just mix some yogurt with cabbage, add some Sunshine Sauce, and finish it off with some dill. Super yummy.
The burgers will keep pretty well in the fridge (~3 days) or freezer (~3 months). If you want to reheat them in a nonstick skillet, they will stay crispy. The slaw, on the other hand, is best eaten right away. It probably has one day max in the fridge once it’s been mixed up.
Gluten Free: We tried three different GF options – almond flour, crushed Chex cereal, and GF oats. We liked the smooth texture and taste of the almond flour version the most out of the three that we tried. Almond meal would work just as well too.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Fry
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: salmon burgers, seafood burger, dill recipe, seafood recipe, canned salmon
Ingredients For These Salmon Burgers
This recipe is a pantry staple dream! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Salmon (canned, or pre-cooked)
- Eggs
- Breadcrumbs
- Spices
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Herbs
I love these salmon burgers with a little fresh dill on top for extra flavor. But you can also use 1) freeze-dried dill, which I keep in my spice cabinet all year, and 2) any other fresh herb! I made these without dill and they were still delicious! They were still totally delicious.
But, like all of my favorite recipes, you can change that up a bit. Dill is still my first choice.
Salmon burgers
FAQ
What tastes good on a salmon burger?
What’s a good dip for salmon patties?
What to serve with salmon burgers?
This grain salad is a fantastic side dish to serve with salmon burgers. It is light and refreshing while also being packed with flavor. The feta and mint add a lovely tangy and herbaceous flavor, while the lemon juice brightens everything up. This dish can be served as is, or you can add some chopped avocado for extra creaminess.
Is smoked salmon good for you?
Salmon is a source of high-quality protein, magnesium, and selenium. In addition, it provides healthy fatty acids for the body. It contains large amounts of omega 3, which prevents cardiovascular diseases, has anti-inflammatory properties, and prevents certain types of Cancer.
What side dishes go with salmon patties?
Again, crunchy and vibrant sides are perfect for salmon patties, and green beans are no exception. These guys are good on their own, but flavor them with fresh Parmesan cheese for a nice nutty and savory taste. 10. Roasted Carrots When it comes to side dishes, you can always go with roasted vegetables.
What to eat with salmon patties?
When it comes to side dishes, you can always go with roasted vegetables. There are tons of great options when roasting vegetables – you’ve got potatoes, bell peppers, and asparagus, but our favorite for salmon patties are carrots.