You can make salmon burgers at home with fresh salmon and ingredients you probably already have in the fridge and pantry. They are tasty, easy, and look great. But wait — this is no beef burger. You don’t want to go slathering your salmon with a dollop of ketchup or mustard. Salmon burgers need special sauces, and the best sauce for salmon brings out the natural flavors of the fish without overpowering them.
We’re here to help you make the best salmon burgers ever. Here are seven ideas for sauces and toppings you can use on your next batch of burgers.
Salmon burgers are a delicious and healthy meal that can be dressed up in so many tasty ways. While the salmon itself has plenty of flavor, the right sauce takes these burgers to the next level. But with so many options to choose from, what sauce goes best with salmon burgers?
In this article, I’ll recommend 18 must-try sauces for salmon burgers and explain why they complement these fishy patties so well Whether you prefer tangy, herby, spicy or creamy sauces, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here!
Why Use a Sauce with Salmon Burgers?
Before diving into the sauces, let’s look at why a sauce can be useful for salmon burgers:
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Adds moisture Salmon has a tendency to dry out, especially when grilled or baked A sauce provides needed moisture to keep the burgers juicy.
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Enhances flavor. Salmon tastes great on its own, but sauces that are sour, herbaceous, or spicy can bring out the flavors in it even more.
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Provides texture contrast. Creamy or chunky sauces provide an appealing textural contrast to the flaky salmon patty.
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Makes them more exciting. Sauces lend salmon burgers more complexity and excitement compared to eating them plain.
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Prevents dryness. A sauce adds extra moisture to the salmon burgers, which keeps them from drying out.
Now let’s look at 18 of the best sauces to pair with salmon burgers!
1. Lemon Dill Sauce
This creamy, tangy sauce combines mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, and spices. The bright acidity of the lemon cuts through the salmon’s fat, and the fresh herbiness of the dill makes the dish taste even better. It’s easy to make this sauce at home with common ingredients.
2. Cajun Remoulade
Cajun flavors love seafood, and remoulade sauce is no exception. Spicy, herby and creamy, this condiment contains mayo, Creole mustard, hot sauce, garlic, herbs and spices. It packs a flavorful punch that works well with salmon’s richness.
3. Tartar Sauce
Tartar sauce is a classic for fish. Typically made with mayonnaise, pickles, capers, lemon juice and herbs, it provides a cool, tangy creaminess. Tartar sauce is also often served with fried seafood, so it pairs perfectly with salmon patties.
4. Avocado Sauce
For a fresh, flavorful sauce, mash up avocados with lime juice, cilantro, garlic and seasonings. The mild green flavor complements grilled salmon without overpowering it. As a bonus, it adds creaminess and healthy fats.
5. Spicy Mayo
For an easy sauce, combine mayo with hot sauce or Sriracha. The creamy mayo tempers the heat while the spice kicks up the salmon’s flavor. Add garlic or herbs to amp up the flavor even more.
6. Aioli
Aioli is a classic garlic mayonnaise sauce that can be customized in endless ways. Made with lots of garlic and olive oil, it packs a flavor punch cut by lemon juice. Salmon burgers need a sauce that can stand up to their richness.
7. Horseradish Sauce
Horseradish sauce provides a pungent kick from grated horseradish mixed with vinegar and cream. It’s a perfect match for rich salmon and is also served with beef. Add garlic and herbs for extra dimension.
8. Wasabi Mayo
For an Asian twist, combine mayonnaise with wasabi paste or powder. Wasabi packs a potent peppery heat that wakes up the tastebuds. The mayo tames the intensity while complementing the salmon’s fattiness.
9. Yogurt Dill Sauce
Mix Greek yogurt with fresh dill, garlic, lemon and olive oil for a lighter sauce with Mediterranean flavors. The cooling yogurt provides a nice contrast to hot salmon patties. It also contains protein.
10. Peanut Sauce
Asian peanut sauce combines peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and chili peppers for a mildly spicy, nutty flavor. It provides the rich, thick consistency that suits salmon burgers.
11. Mango Salsa
Make a quick mango salsa by dicing mango with red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice and seasonings. The sweet fruitiness pairs fabulously with salmon. Try topping your burger with this salsa for tropical flavors.
12. Pesto
Nutty basil pesto is fantastic with salmon, providing herby flavor and richness. While pesto is traditionally made with pine nuts, walnuts or almonds work too. The toastiness complements the meatiness of salmon.
13. Soy Ginger Sauce
Whisk up a fast Asian sauce with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger and garlic. The gingery, salty-sweet glaze gives a flavor boost to simply prepared salmon patties.
14. BBQ Sauce
Barbecue sauce might seem like an odd choice, but its sweet and tangy tomatoey flavor provides delicious contrast to salmon’s richness. Opt for tomato-based sauces rather than vinegary ones.
15. Romesco Sauce
Spanish romesco sauce contains roasted tomatoes, peppers, garlic, almonds and olive oil. The smoky nuttiness pairs wonderfully with salmon, adding texture and flavor interest. It’s also lower fat than cream-based sauces.
16. Chimichurri
This lively green sauce from Argentina dazzles the palate with its fresh combo of parsley, cilantro, garlic, olive oil and vinegar. Spoon it over your salmon burgers for a tangy herbal kick.
17. Tzatziki
Cooling cucumber yogurt tzatziki sauce provides the perfect foil for hot, rich salmon patties. The refreshing Greek sauce contains yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and dill.
18. Raspberry Sauce
For a delicious fruit accent, blend raspberries with sugar and lemon juice for a sweet, vibrant sauce. The tartness cuts the salmon’s fattiness while the pretty pink color vivifies the burgers.
How to Choose the Right Sauce
With so many tasty sauces for salmon patties, it can be tricky to narrow down your options. Here are some tips for selecting the right sauce:
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Consider salmon’s richness – Pick sauces with acidity, spice or herbiness to cut through the fish’s fattiness.
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Think about textures – Creamy sauces contrast nicely with flaky salmon. Or add crunch with salsas or pesto.
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Complement doneness – Cooling sauces like tzatziki pair well with seared burgers, while warm sauces suit rare patties.
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Match intensity – For strongly flavored cooked salmon, choose an equally intense sauce. More delicate sauces suit lightly cooked fish.
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Consider your meal – Dress up salmon burgers with funsauces for a casual family dinner. Subtler sauces work better for date night.
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Satisfy cravings – Sauces are an easy way to switch up flavors. If you want something spicy or herby, go bold.
Simple Serving Suggestions
While sauces add flavor on their own, you can serve salmon burgers with extra components to create a delicious complete meal:
- Leafy greens like lettuce or arugula
- Sliced tomatoes and red onion
- Cheese slices – cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack
- Burger buns or rolls
- Crispy bacon
- Avocado slices
- Lemon or lime wedges
After grilling, broiling or pan-frying your salmon patties to perfection, add your desired sauce and toppings for a satisfying salmon burger meal bursting with flavor. With so many tasty sauces to choose from, you can enjoy a different delicious combo every time.
The Takeaway
Salmon burgers deserve an equally amazing sauce to complement their flavor and texture. From creamy tartar to spicy Sriracha mayo, herbaceous chimichurri to sweet raspberry coulis, the possibilities are endless. Hopefully these 18 sauce suggestions have sparked some inspiration to elevate your next round of salmon burgers!
With the right sauce, salmon burgers make for a quick, healthy and incredibly satisfying meal. So break out your favorite patties and get saucy! Your tastebuds will thank you.
Tips When Making Sauce for Salmon Burgers
For the best results, there are a few general rules you should follow when making any sauce for your salmon burgers.
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DO pay attention to your consistency.
You don’t want a messy, runny sauce on your burger. Since it’s a burger, you should eat it with your hands. If the sauce is too thin, this is nearly impossible. Make a sauce that is just the right thickness to spread but not too thick that it doesn’t move around.
When your sauce starts to get too thin, don’t be afraid to add things that will thicken it up, like more mayo, yogurt, or sour cream. Taste as you go and add more seasoning and spices accordingly.
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DON’T overwhelm your burger.
It doesn’t matter how good the sauce is if it’s the only thing you can taste on your burger. Thus, if you make a salmon burger sauce with stronger tastes, like garlic or Cajun spices, use very little of it on your burger. A little goes a long way. With lighter options, such as those sauces made with dill or lemon, you can add a little more.
Lemon Dill Sauce
Lemon and dill are two flavors that pair well with salmon, no matter how you cook your fillet. Mix mayo and mustard with basil, dill, lemon and cayenne pepper for a zesty, flavorful salmon burger sauce. Make sure that your lemon dill sauce has the right consistency to add a little extra moisture to your salmon burger. After the sauce, top your burger with thin avocado and tomato slices, along with some Bibb lettuce and red onion. (Recipe and photo by Jessica Gavin)
For something with a little more of a kick, take your salmon down south with a cajun remoulade sauce. We all know cajun flavors work well with an abundance of seafood, but if you’ve yet to try them with your salmon, youre missing out. You can make the cajun sauce by combining mayo, garlic, creole mustard, hot sauce, horseradish and more for a truly unforgettable taste. Again, consider topping your salmon burger with lettuce, onion slices and avocado slices. (Recipe and photo by Little Spice Jar)
If you like the idea of adding avocado slices to your salmon burger, but you’d rather not spend your time in the kitchen carefully pitting and cutting slices of delicate avocado, consider an avocado ranch sauce recipe that allows you to simply throw your avocado chunks in a food processor, add all your other ingredients (such as sour cream, mayo, milk and seasonings and spices), press a few buttons and then top your burger. (Recipe and photo by Evolving Table)
Never can get enough garlic? If your favorite flavor is all garlic, all the time, you’ll love this salmon burger sauce that’s simple and contains only four ingredients — mayo, two garlic cloves, lemon juice and heavy cream — plus salt. What we like about this recipe is it has a high return of investment. With only some common ingredients available in your pantry, you can get a restaurant-level salmon burger sauce within 5 minutes. (Recipe and photo by Kitchn)
For the easiest salmon burger sauce possible, you won’t need to break out your food processor or even a knife. All you need is a spoon and a bowl, to mix up some mayonnaise and sriracha for a simple, easy sauce that pairs well with your salmon. Top your salmon burger with this sauce, some baby arugula and some avocado and you have an easy dinner that’s entirely impressive. (Recipe and photo by Skinny Taste)
Tartar sauce isn’t just for fried fish sticks. Elevate your tartar sauce beyond every kid’s favorite frozen food and try having tartar sauce on your salmon burgers. The all-grown-up tartar sauce combines mayo, lemon, caper brine, dill, tarragon, salt and pepper for a fresh and creamy flavor and texture that pairs well with your salmon burger and fresh lettuce and tomato slices. (Recipe and photo by Southern Living)
Does mayo make you shudder? While many of the best sauces for salmon burgers contain mayonnaise, you can find some that avoid it. This simple sauce swaps out the mayo for Greek yogurt, for a more healthful option, and combines it with lemon juice, Dijon mustard and dill, for a new take on your average dill sauce for salmon. (Recipe and photo by The Foodie Physician)
Dill Sauce For Salmon Patties Or Dip
FAQ
What tastes good on a salmon burger?
What cheese goes with salmon?
What sauce is best for salmon burgers?
While many of the best sauces for salmon burgers contain mayonnaise, you can find some that avoid it. This simple sauce swaps out the mayo for Greek yogurt, for a more healthful option, and combines it with lemon juice, Dijon mustard and dill, for a new take on your average dill sauce for salmon. (Recipe and photo by The Foodie Physician)
How do you make a good salmon burger sauce?
Mix mayo and mustard with basil, dill, lemon and cayenne pepper for a zesty, flavorful salmon burger sauce. Make sure that your lemon dill sauce has the right consistency to add a little extra moisture to your salmon burger. After the sauce, top your burger with thin avocado and tomato slices, along with some Bibb lettuce and red onion.
What is in a salmon burger sauce?
Salmon burger sauce: Mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced chives (or green onions), dill, garlic clove, salt, and black pepper. Crafting these salmon burgers is quick and easy, making it ideal for those nights when you want a flavor-packed dinner right now!
What goes well with salmon burgers?
Lemon and dill are two flavors that pair well with salmon, no matter how you cook your fillet. Mix mayo and mustard with basil, dill, lemon and cayenne pepper for a zesty, flavorful salmon burger sauce. Make sure that your lemon dill sauce has the right consistency to add a little extra moisture to your salmon burger.