This recipe for Salmon Burgers is an award show sweep. Made with fresh salmon and without added breadcrumbs or eggs, these burgers let the salmon steal the show in every category.
My gripe with most fresh salmon burger recipes is that they use binders (like breadcrumbs or mayo) to hold the fish together.
You lose the purity of the salmon’s fresh flavor.
But, when you want a full-on 100% SALMON BURGER, with nothing in the way, skip the binders, use fresh fish, and let the fish shine!
About this Salmon Burgers Recipe
When you are taking the time and money to cook a recipe with fresh salmon, you want to make the most of it.
Canned salmon is great for fast, budget-friendly meals, like Salmon Croquettes, Salmon Patties, and the Salmon Quinoa Cakes in my cookbook.
With canned salmon, I don’t mind some breadcrumbs, because I know the salmon needs a little help.
When I am purchasing a FRESH salmon fillet, however, I want the fish be the star.
- Instead of breadcrumbs, eggs, or mayo to bind the burgers (like my Shrimp Burger), I use a little prep tip and a touch of Greek yogurt.
- These burgers are light, tender, and moist.
- The taste truly is all about the salmon itself.
Rich in Omega-3s and vitamin-B, salmon burgers are healthy and light alternatives to add to your burger repertoire, along with Avocado Burger with Chipotle Yogurt Sauce and Avocado Tuna Cakes.
5 Star Review
“LOVED this recipe. Huge hit! We will definitely make it a staple in our house.”
— Danielle —
How to Cook Salmon Burgers
These healthy salmon burgers are easy and a total crowd-pleaser.
While burger patties with more customary meats (like these yummy Italian Turkey Burgers) hold together easily for cooking or grilling, salmon is more unruly because it can become crumbly.
The trick to the best fresh salmon burger that holds together with NO breadcrumbs is to finely mince the salmon with a knife!
- Dicing the salmon into especially small cubes and combining them with two tablespoons of Greek yogurt creates a patty that is substantial in texture, yet also moist, fresh, and flavorful because the patty remains mostly fish.
So, trust that you can make this perfect salmon burger from scratch rather than look for where to buy salmon burgers.
Tip!
New to cooking fish? Check out this foolproof, easy Baked Salmon to get started, along with this Baked Salmon Temperature Guide.
The Ingredients
- Salmon. The base of our burgers. The tiny, diced pieces of salmon become exceptionally tender and flaky as they’re cooked, creating a scrumptious texture.
- Greek Yogurt. Our all-important sneaky binding agent. Not only is Greek yogurt a tasty, tangy way to hold our burgers together, but it also gives them an extra dose of protein.
- Lemon Juice. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens everything up and helps these burgers taste their best.
- Ginger. An overlooked companion flavor to salmon is ginger. Ginger adds great balance to almost any fish. Ginger all-out stars in this Soy Ginger Salmon, while the ginger in these salmon burgers is more complementary than robust.
- Herbs + Spices. Herbs like cilantro, parsley, dill, chives, or a mix will work perfectly here and add a touch of freshness.
- Greek Yogurt Herb Sauce. A bit of vinegar, Greek yogurt, diced herbs (e.g. cilantro, parsley, or dill), and garlic powder mixed together make an easy, yet impeccable sauce for salmon burgers that adds even more moisture.
The Directions
- Dice the salmon into VERY small pieces.
- Combine the burger ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Create patties from the burger mixture. Refrigerate the patties for at least 15 minutes.
- Prepare the sauce.
- Cook the salmon burgers with oil in a skillet over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes per side. Serve as desired on hamburger buns with fresh dill sauce, and DIG IN!
How to Know When Salmon Burgers are Done
The best way to tell if salmon burgers are done is by using an instant read thermometer.
- Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of your burger. When the salmon burger reaches 145 degrees F, it is done.
- If you don’t have a thermometer, check that your burger is lightly crisp on the outside and that the meat inside is pink and flaky. It should not still look raw.
How to Cook Salmon Burgers on the Grill
As this Grilled Salmon in Foil can attest, grilled salmon burgers would also be delish. Here’s how to cook these salmon burgers on the grill:
- Heat the grill to medium high (about 400 degrees F).
- Just before adding the patties to the grill, oil the grill thoroughly.
- Cook the salmon burgers for 4-5 minutes per side. Flip them only once if possible. Work quickly but gently so the burgers don’t fall apart.
**If you want to 100% safeguard against the burgers sticking or falling through the grates, you can lay a piece of aluminum foil down on the grill, coat it with nonstick spray, and then grill the burgers on the foil instead.**
Salmon Burger Toppings
To find the right condiment for salmon burgers, think beyond ketchup. Try Basil Pesto, Guacamole, sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), or Dijon mustard, then add one of these tasty toppings:
- Grilled Pineapple. Care to elevate this salmon burger recipe to a tropical paradise? Add grilled pineapple! Just as in these Teriyaki Burgers with Grilled Pineapple, a pineapple caramelizes on the grill and adds some sweetness that transports this recipe AND you to the beach.
- Arugula. Its peppery notes can stand up to the flavorful salmon burger patty.
- Tomato. A thick slice of juicy tomato is delicious on salmon burgers and my favorite for pairing with the burger sauce.
- Red Onion. A burger classic. Or try Pickled Onions.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate burgers and sauce separately in airtight storage containers for up to 2 days.
- To Reheat. Very gently reheat burgers in a nonstick skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat. I also like to splash a bit of water into the skillet, then cover it to help the burgers steam.
- To Freeze. Individually wrap cooked or uncooked burgers, and freeze them in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let the frozen salmon burgers thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating or cooking.
Meal Prep Tip
Assemble your patties up to 1 day in advance, storing them in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator. You can also prepare your sauce up to 1 day in advance and store it in a separate airtight storage container in the refrigerator.
What to Serve with Salmon Burgers
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Non-Stick Skillet. This set is an investment, but it works like a dream.
- Instant Read Thermometer. A foolproof way to determine when your salmon is ready.
- Mixing Bowls. This set has a size to prepare your patties and one to prepare your sauce.
The Best Non-Stick Skillets
If you want to know how to cook salmon burgers without them sticking, these high-quality pans are the answer. They’re oven-safe too!
Frequently Asked Questions
Instead of cheese, I opted to use the Greek yogurt salmon burgers sauce in this recipe. If you would like to add cheese, however, you could use a mild, melty cheese like provolone or Mozzarella.
Leftover salmon burgers make an excellent addition to salads, rice dishes, and can be turned into a yummy wrap. Dice up your burgers and add them to Quinoa Chickpea Salad, Lemon Rice, or Pasta al Limone.
I do not recommend making these salmon burgers with canned salmon. Fresh salmon will produce the best results. If you only have canned salmon on hand, I recommend making my Salmon Patties instead.
While many salmon burger recipes use a food processor instead of chopping the salmon, I find this create a tougher, mushier burger because the fish is overworked. The mincing technique is well worth it and yields superior results.
Choose a nice, soft bun that compresses fairly easily (dry, chewy buns are not as pleasant with burgers) but that is sturdy enough to hold the patty. I like brioche buns, or for extra fiber, whole wheat buns.
Choose a light, dry white wine that can provide a nice acidity, such as Pinot Grigio, Albariño, or Sauvignon Blanc.
Salmon Burgers
Ingredients
For the Burgers:
- 1 1/4 pounds salmon fillets skin and pinbones removed
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley, dill, chives, or a mix
- 2 tablespoons nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil plus additional as needed
For the Sauce:
- 3/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley, dill, chives, or a mix
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For Serving:
- Buns or lettuce cups
- Arugula optional
- Sliced tomato optional
Instructions
- Place the salmon on a cutting board and cut crosswise into very thin, ¼-inch strips. Now, take a second pass at cutting, going over the pieces in the opposite direction so that you cut the strips into a dice. Continue cutting the salmon until the pieces are very small, about 1/8- to 1/4-inch each. (Be patient. Moist, tender patties will be your reward.)
- Transfer the salmon to a large mixing bowl. Add the herbs, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, ginger, and black pepper. With a fork, mix to combine.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions. With your hands, compact each portion into a patty that is about 1-inch thick. They might not hold together at first, but keep squeezing. Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet or large plate. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or cover with plastic and refrigerate for up to 1 day.
- While the burgers chill, prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, vinegar, herbs, garlic powder, and salt. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add ½ tablespoon oil. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, gently lower the salmon patties onto it. Cook on the first side until crisp and golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Gently flip burgers and cook on the second side until crisp and the burgers register 145 degrees F on an instant read thermometer, about 4 minutes more.
- Serve the burgers immediately (on buns or inside of lettuce cups), topped with lots of the sauce and a sliced tomato if you like.
Video
Notes
- TO GRILL: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (about 400 degrees F). Just before grilling the burgers, oil the grill VERY well. Add the burgers and cook as directed in Step 5, being careful just to flip them once if possible. If you want to 100% safeguard against the burgers sticking, you can grill them on a piece of aluminum foil coated with nonstick spray. Toast the buns on the grill if desired.
- If you’d like to toast the buns, you can do so either on the grill, in your skillet after you are finished cooking the burgers (cover them with foil to keep them hot), or place them cut-side up on a baking sheet and toast in the oven under your broiler for 30 seconds to 1 minute (watch VERY CAREFULLY).
- TO MAKE AHEAD: Assemble your patties up to 1 day in advance, storing them in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator. You can also prepare your sauce up to 1 day in advance and store it in a separate airtight storage container in the refrigerator.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate burgers and sauce separately in airtight storage containers for up to 2 days.
- TO REHEAT: Very gently reheat burgers in a nonstick skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat. I also like to splash a bit of water into the skillet, then cover it to help the burgers steam.
- TO FREEZE: Individually wrap burgers, and freeze them in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
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Could you use canned salmon vs. fillets?
Samantha, for this recipe you need uncooked salmon (vs. canned salmon which is cooked). If you are looking for a recipe with canned salmon, check out these salmon patties. You could make them larger and serve them as burgers: https://www.wellplated.com/salmon-patty-recipe/
Amazing recipe. Made it precisely like it said and they came out perfect ! So Delicious !!!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Allison! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This recipe was phenomenal, easy and super light! Definitely worth the time dicing up the salmon filet and refrigerating the burgers for an hour-plus definitely helped them stay together. Another Well Plated success story!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Mike! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This recipe is awesome! The burgers were delicious and very easy to make and the sauce went quite well with them. Though I made the burgers in a skillet atop the stove, I browned them nicely by oiling the pan really well, putting a lid on the skillet, and turning the temperature up high for around three minutes before cooking them a few more minutes and flipping. That added a nice flavor to them (though it dries them out a bit) and I served them on hamburger buns with romaine lettuce and sliced tomatoes. Thank you for creating this easy and wonderful recipe!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Z! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This was beyond!! Much simpler than I thought – I made for a large group of people and it was loved by everyone. Served with sweet potato fries and a side salad. Delish!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Allyson! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Fantastic and so fresh! Added celery salt instead of regular salt, which was a great flavor addition. Removing the skin and mincing the salmon was a pain, but worth it. Adding this recipe to my arsenal.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Rebecca! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I made these today for my husband. I didn’t have ground ginger, so I substituted fresh. Otherwise, I followed the recipe as written. The burgers were delicious and easy to make. I will definitely be making these again.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Susan! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
LOVED this recipe. Huge hit! We will definitely make it a staple in our house.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Danielle! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Erin,
I loved this recipe! I used Mayo because I didn’t have yogurt on hand. Before placing them in the pan to fry, I sprinkled the patties lightly with plain Panko. The result was amazing: flavorful, crispy on the outside and tender/moist on the inside. I served on Focaccia with the sauce, arugula and tomato. So good!!!
P.S. I found an easy way to remove the skin from salmon: bring about a 1/2 inch of water to boil in a frying pan; place the salmon in it, skin down. Let sit for about a minute and remove. Using a spatula, the skin will easily peel off.
Hi Janet! Thank you for your feedback! So glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for this kind review!
Please, ask whoever is plugging in advertisements on your page, stop making the ads moving. Extremely difficult to concentrate on reading your recipes when the ads are constantly moving in and out, plus moving within them.
Hi Lorna! I’m truly sorry for any inconvenience the ads caused you! I will certainly keep paying close attention to the number of ads and how they load, as I never want them to hinder your ability to view the recipe or the blog post. I do truly appreciate your feedback and apologize again for the inconvenience!
Hey Erin! I love this recipe so much (and all your recipes to be honest)! Do you think it would work if I used any other fish as well or would the greek yogurt be overpowering? I have heaps of cod and haddock leftover from a fish chipper dinner.
Hi Bern! Thank you for this kind review! I have not tested this recipe with any other fish so it would be hard to say if it would work or not. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!