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A delicious twist on burger night! This healthy Salmon Burger recipe gives you restaurant-quality taste with just 10 minutes of hands-on prep. The made-from-scratch patties are topped with a sweet and creamy salmon burger sauce made from Red Gold® Ketchup, for an easy and flavorful family dinner!
Table of Contents
Whether you serve the salmon burgers piled high with toppings on a bun or delicately placed on top of a salad, I know that you’ll appreciate this light and fresh version of an American classic. The thick, hearty patties earn two-thumbs-up from my burger-loving boys!
Maybe the most important part of any burger, however, is the toppings! You’ll definitely want to finish your patties off with lettuce, tomato, onion, and Red Gold® Folds of Honor Ketchup. Here, we’ll take it one step further to make a ketchup-based salmon burger sauce. It’s a perfect cross between ketchup and tartar sauce — and it only takes about a minute to stir together! The combination of the ketchup, mayonnaise, pickled relish, and lemon juice yields a bright, flavorful condiment that takes this salmon burger recipe to the next level!
We love all of the Red Gold® Tomatoes products and use them in our kitchen year-round, but this summer, we’re particularly excited to use Red Gold® Folds of Honor Ketchup. For each bottle purchased, a portion of the proceeds provides educational support to the children and spouses of those that have fallen or have been disabled while serving our nation. Join me in supporting our Heroes — while also enjoying the rich taste of premium-quality ketchup. All Red Gold® products are made from tomatoes that are sustainably grown on Midwest family farms and are picked when they are vine-ripe red — eliminating the need to add anything artificial. It’s no surprise that they taste so good! You can use the store locator to find Red Gold® Folds of Honor Ketchup in your neighborhood or order it on Amazon!
Homemade Salmon Burgers from Scratch
The process of making homemade salmon burgers is very similar to making traditional ground beef burgers. The one main difference is that you’ll need to process the fish to give it that same “ground” texture, which will help hold the patties together. Let’s get started!
Salmon Burger Ingredients
Here is an overview of the main ingredients needed to make homemade salmon burgers! As always, you can find the full list of ingredients with exact measurements in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Fresh salmon: best for salmon burgers. Fresh salmon is buttery and smooth, and a very healthy fish. It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a great source of protein, and many other health benefits.
- Garlic: flavors the salmon burgers. You can use fresh minced garlic or pre-minced for this recipe.
- Egg: a binder for the salmon burger mixture.
- Bread crumbs: works as a binder, and adds texture to the salmon burger patties.
- Mayonnaise: used in both the salmon burger mixture and the sauce. Mayo gives this recipe extra creaminess.
- Worcestershire sauce: gives some umami flavor to the salmon burgers.
- Salt: enhances the flavors in this dish.
- All-purpose flour: dusting the salmon burgers with flour before pan-frying will give them a golden-brown, crispy crust.
How to Make Salmon Burgers
Here is an overview of how to make these delicious homemade salmon burgers! Below, I’ve broken down these steps in more detail. Making these salmon burgers is super simple, and is a healthy, flavorful dinner that’s restaurant-quality.
- Cut the salmon into large pieces.
- Process the salmon into a smooth mixture.
- Combine the salmon burger ingredients.
- Shape the salmon burger patties and chill.
- Cook the salmon burgers on the stovetop.
- Prepare the burger sauce.
- Serve with your favorite burger toppings.
Step 1: Cut the salmon into large pieces.
First, dice the salmon into large chunks.
Step 2: Process the salmon.
Next, transfer about 1/3 of the salmon to a food processor. Process this salmon until it’s smooth and paste-like. This will help the burgers stay together when you shape the patties.
Then add the remaining salmon to the food processor and pulse just until the fish is in small pieces (not too smooth). This will give your burgers a light (not too dense) texture.
Step 3: Combine the salmon burger ingredients.
Place the salmon in a large bowl and use a fork to gently mix in the garlic, egg, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, and salt.
Step 4: Shape salmon burger patties and chill.
Divide the mixture into 4 equal patties, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
Step 5: Cook the salmon burgers on the stovetop.
Dust each side of the salmon patties with flour, and then cook them in a hot skillet for about 3-4 minutes per side — just until they’re golden brown. Be careful not to cook them too long, or the fish will be overdone and dry.
Step 6: Prepare the salmon burger sauce.
It only takes a minute or so to stir together, but the bright, creamy, and cool sauce is such a great contrast to the savory salmon. It tastes a lot like tartar sauce — with a touch of sweet ketchup that belongs on every burger!
The sweet and savory sauce is a simple combination of the following ingredients:
- Red Gold® Folds of Honor Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Sweet pickled relish
- Lemon juice
Step 7: Serve the burgers!
Finally, it’s time to assemble your burgers and dig in to the perfect summer meal!
Salmon Burger Toppings
There are a number of different ways to eat a salmon burger! You can serve the patties on buns, or keep it lower-carb with a bun-free patty. The burgers are great on top of salads, too. No matter how you serve them, salmon burgers are always best with toppings. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Condiments such as the salmon burger sauce recipe shown here, the Red Gold® Folds of Honor Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, or tartar sauce
- Lettuce
- Sliced tomatoes
- Dill pickles
- Sliced red onion
What to Serve with Homemade Salmon Burgers
Here are a few easy sides that go well with salmon burgers:
- Grilled Potatoes
- Classic Pasta Salad
- Easy Potato Salad
- Coleslaw
- Green Bean Salad
- Baked Potato Wedges
- Green salad dressed in a light and creamy Buttermilk dressing
FAQs
How do you keep salmon burgers from falling apart?
The eggs and bread crumbs in the salmon mixture will help keep the patties together. Chilling the patties before cooking will also ensure that they’re firm and keep their shape while pan-frying.
Should you put cheese on a salmon burger?
You certainly can! While I don’t use cheese in this recipe, burgers and cheese are a match made in heaven and these salmon burgers are no exception. A typical cheddar cheese doesn’t pair well with salmon, so you’d want to go for a lighter, more mild cheese. White cheese, like Havarti or Swiss cheese, would work best. Any mild cheese flavored with herbs like dill or thyme pairs well with seafood. Other options include feta, blue cheese, smoked gouda, cream cheese, or mozzarella cheese.
How do you know when salmon burgers are done?
Salmon burgers are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. The best way to test a burger’s doneness is with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the burger.
What’s the best kind of salmon to use for salmon burgers?
A nice fresh salmon fillet is the best salmon to use in salmon burgers. It really allows for the purest, most authentic salmon taste! However, it is perfectly fine to substitute with canned salmon in a pinch. You could also use frozen salmon fillets, but allow the salmon to thaw completely before beginning the recipe.
Preparation and Storage Tips:
- Plan ahead: While the actual hands-on time for this recipe is not very long, it’s important to allow plenty of time for the patties to chill in the refrigerator. This will prevent them from falling apart when you cook them.
- You can stir together the salmon burger sauce in advance. Keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- How to store Salmon Burgers: Cooked salmon burgers will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Wrapped tightly, the cooked burgers can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
- How to reheat Salmon Burgers: To reheat a cooked burger, place the patty in a skillet and cook over low heat just until warm.
Cook’s Tips and Recipe Variations:
- While you can grill these burgers on an outdoor grill or on an indoor grill pan, I find that they stay together best and are easiest to flip when cooked on a flat surface like a skillet or griddle.
- I typically use panko bread crumbs since that’s what I keep on hand, but you can use any bread crumbs that you prefer — or even crushed crackers (such as saltines).
- Serve the salmon burgers on buns, or for a lighter option, serve the burgers bun-free. The plain burgers are great when topped with just a dollop of sauce, sliced avocado, and some fresh herbs or green onions.
- Don’t forget to dust the patties with flour just before cooking. This will help them get nice and crispy on the outside!
- Add fresh summer herbs to the salmon mixture before cooking. Some dill, parsley, or basil would be a delicious, bright touch.
- The salmon burger patties are a healthy meal option. Served without a bun, the burgers are Keto-friendly and low-carb. Each burger has about 390 calories, 25 grams of fat, 36 grams of protein, and just 4 grams of carbohydrates.
More Salmon Recipes to Try
Salmon Burger Recipe
Ingredients
FOR THE SALMON PATTIES:
- 1 ½ lbs. salmon fillet skin removed
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup flour (you won’t need all of this)
FOR THE SAUCE:
- 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Red Gold® Ketchup
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons sweet pickled relish
OPTIONAL, FOR SERVING:
- Buns, split
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Sliced red onion
- Sliced dill pickles
Instructions
- Cut the salmon into 2-inch pieces. Transfer about 1/3 of the salmon to a food processor, and process, scraping down sides, until mixture is very smooth and paste-like. Add remaining salmon and pulse 4–5 times until pieces are about ¼ inch (do not make them too small). Transfer salmon to a large bowl.
- Use a fork to gently stir in garlic, egg, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce and salt.
- Divide mixture into 4 equal patties (about ¾ inch thick). Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Remove salmon patties from fridge right before cooking and dust with flour just to coat the outside. I like to use a sieve to sprinkle just a thin layer of flour on each side of the patties. This avoids any big lumps. Cook the patties in the hot skillet until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side (don’t overcook the burgers or they will be dry).
PREPARE THE SAUCE:
- Stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon juice and pickled relish in a small bowl.
ASSEMBLE THE BURGERS:
- Spread the sauce on the top and bottom of a bun. Place a burger on the bun and top with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles.
Notes
- While you can grill these burgers on an outdoor grill or on an indoor grill pan, I find that they stay together best and are easiest to flip when cooked on a flat surface like a skillet or griddle.
- I typically use panko bread crumbs since that’s what I keep on hand, but you can use any bread crumbs that you prefer — or even crushed crackers (such as saltines).
- Serve the salmon burgers on buns, or for a lighter option serve the burgers bun-free. The plain burgers are great when topped with just a dollop of sauce, sliced avocado and some fresh herbs or green onions.
- Don’t forget to dust the patties with flour just before cooking. This will help them get nice and crispy on the outside!
- Add fresh summer herbs to the salmon mixture before cooking. Some dill, parsley or basil would be a delicious, bright touch.
- The salmon burger patties are a healthy meal option. Served without a bun, the burgers are Keto-friendly and low-carb. Each burger has about 390 calories, 25 grams of fat, 36 grams of protein and just 4 grams of carbohydrates.
I have made so many of your crowd-pleasing recipes over the years, but this one is our absolute favorite! It is the ONE meal all of my 5 children will eat (even the hardcore vegetarians make an exception for this dish!). I wouldn’t change a thing! Thank you for making delicious recipes relatively simple for us busy parents!
Kerry, that’s one of the kindest notes I’ve ever received. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment — and totally make my day! 🙂
Can you use frozen salmon?
Thanks!
Absolutely, you’ll just want to thaw it first. 🙂