Salmon burgers are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional beef burgers. Grilling salmon burgers can seem intimidating but with a few simple tips you’ll be enjoying tender flaky salmon patties in no time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
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Salmon fillets – Look for fresh wild-caught salmon. Skinless fillets work best.
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Breadcrumbs – Use panko or fresh breadcrumbs to help bind the patties.
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Egg – An egg helps hold the patties together.
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Seasonings – Consider lemon, dill, garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder, chili powder or Cajun seasoning.
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Vegetable oil – Use a high smoke point oil like avocado or grapeseed oil to brush the patties before grilling.
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Burger buns
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Burger toppings – Try lettuce, tomato, avocado, onion or your favorite condiments.
How to Make Salmon Burgers
Chop the salmon – Cut salmon fillets into chunks, removing any bones. Pulse in a food processor into a coarse texture. Be careful not to overprocess into a paste.
Mix in binders – Transfer salmon to a bowl. Add 1-2 eggs, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs and seasonings. Gently fold together until just combined.
Form patties – Divide mixture into 3-4 ounce patties, about 1/2 inch thick. Refrigerate for 30 minutes which helps patties hold their shape.
Brush with oil – Lightly brush both sides of chilled patties with vegetable oil. This prevents sticking.
Preheat grill – Heat gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F. Clean grates and brush with oil.
Grill patties – Place patties gently on hot grill. Resist urge to move or press. Cook 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown.
Check doneness – Salmon is cooked when flakes apart and is opaque in center. Be careful not to overcook or patties will be dry.
Let rest – Transfer patties to a plate and let rest 5 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute.
Build burgers – Place grilled patties on buns and add desired toppings. Serve immediately.
Helpful Tips for Grilling Salmon Burgers
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Use skinless salmon fillets for easiest prep and even cooking.
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Chill formed patties before grilling to prevent falling apart.
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Brush grill grates and patties with oil for best results.
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Flip only once during grilling for prettiest grill marks.
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Don’t press burgers with spatula which squeezes out moisture.
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Cook over direct medium-high heat for a nice sear.
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Check temperature at thickest point to test doneness.
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Allow patties to rest after grilling before assembling burgers.
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Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce or remoulade for extra flavor.
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Try different seasonings like dill, lemon, garlic, pepper or Cajun spices.
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Top with creative burger toppings like pineapple salsa or caramelized onions.
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Substitute crab, shrimp or tuna for an alternative seafood burger.
Common Salmon Burger Mistakes
Avoid these pitfalls when making salmon burgers for the best results:
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Overprocessing the salmon into a paste instead of leaving some texture.
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Not chilling patties before grilling causing them to fall apart.
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Grilling over too high heat leading to charring or burning.
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Pressing patties with spatula forcing out moisture and juices.
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Moving patties too much while grilling preventing grill marks.
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Undercooking resulting in raw center or overcooking making them dry.
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Assembling burgers before allowing patties to rest after grilling.
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Using lean salmon without enough fat resulting in dry, crumbly patties.
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Skipping oil for grates and patties leading to sticking and tearing.
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Serving without condiments lacking flavor contrast and moisture.
Grilled Salmon Burgers are a Healthy Meal
Salmon is rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids which are good for your heart. It also provides an excellent source of protein. Salmon burgers can be a nutritious option as part of a balanced diet. They provide a lighter yet still satisfying alternative to beef burgers.
Making juicy, tender salmon patties at home is easy once you know the tricks. Follow these simple steps for grilling salmon burgers and enjoy restaurant-quality results. Impress your family with these tasty salmon burgers hot off the grill!
The Best Way to Grill, Pan-Fry, and Air-Fry Salmon Burger Patties
These three cooking methods make it easy to prepare salmon burgers at home, whether youre cooking outdoors, on a stovetop, or with an air fryer.
The cooking methods below can be used with either frozen or defrosted salmon burgers. Our preferred method is cooking the salmon burgers from frozen.
Each cooking method includes a small range of cook times, but note that defrosted salmon burger patties will be done slighter faster than frozen salmon burger patties. Because of this, you can expect defrosted salmon burgers to be cooked by the lower end of the range. Frozen salmon burgers will likely be done toward the higher end of the cook time range.
Try pairing salmon burgers with a sauce or two at your next cookout to enjoy the best that the season has to offer.
The WAC recipe team featured Sockeye Salmon Burgers in a live event! Watch the recording of the cooking demo to see how its made.
How to Air-Fry Salmon Burgers
For an even more convenient cooking method, try using an air fryer to prepare salmon burgers. This appliance can add even more texture to the exterior of the patty, as it will pick up a slight crisp as it air fries.
- Place frozen or thawed salmon burger in an air fryer basket for 10 to 13 minutes at 390 degrees F. Flip halfway through for even browning.
- Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy.
H-E-B Salmon Burger Grilling Tutorial
FAQ
How long should I grill salmon burgers?
Place salmon burgers on grill and cook each side until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. If the burger is sticking to the grill it is not ready to flip, and leave on for an additional minute or until it comes off easily. Be careful not to overcook!
How do you know when salmon burgers are done?
In terms of doneness, the official FDA recommendation is an internal temperature of 145˚F as measured by a food thermometer, which will be a very firm piece …
How long does it take salmon to grill on the grill?
Salmon cooks quickly on the grill (usually no more than 12 minutes total), so don’t walk away or get distracted. The salmon will be medium-rare when an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion reads 120 degrees F. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow for some carryover cooking.
How do you keep salmon burgers from sticking to the grill?
Brush grill grates clean and lightly oil to prevent sticking. Grill salmon burgers: Place the salmon patties directly on the grill grates. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. If a patty sticks to the grill, wait an additional minute before flipping.