Salmon Burgers
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Salmon Burgers for a healthy, summer, dinnertime win! These healthy fish burgers are super easy to make and so tasty. I like to serve the salmon patties on top of a big salad, but they're just as good eaten in a bun with the lemon dill sauce dolloped on top.
Lemony Salmon Burgers are winning all the dinner awards!
Or as my handsome man calls them, Salmon Patties on Salad. Cause ya, no bun = no burger.
Only I'm a total weirdo and 90% of the time I like to skip the bun. Salmon burgers/ salmon patties/ salmon cakes ā¦ call them what you want just make sure to make them.
All the salmon burgers love
- They're made with fresh salmon because fresh is always better.
- They have just the right amount of spices mixed with them so that they're super flavorful while the salmon still shines.
- I use the smallest amount of almond flour to bind them. These burgers are all about the salmon, not a bunch of fillers.
- They're crispy on the outside (using a āsecret' trick) and super tender inside.
- Salmon burgers = healthy burgers!
- These babies are super easy to make. Chop some salmon, mix in a few spices, form into patties, pop in a pan. 1, 2, 3, 4, EAT!
How to get a crispy crust
Most of the time if a recipe says it has a crispy crust it's because it's covered in panko or breadcrumbs. While that is a good method, I wanted something a little lighter. I've tried several different ways to get a crispy crust, and have found one way that nails it.
Cornstarch. It's almost too easy, isn't it?
By coating the outside of the salmon patties in cornstarch they get nice and crispy when they're cooked. It's no too heavy, just a light crispy finish.
How to remove the skin from salmon
1. Lay the salmon on a cutting board with the tail end (the small end) facing towards you. Using a very sharp knife, make a cut straight down through the flesh stopping at the skin.
2. Grab that little piece you've just cut (this can be a little tricky at first as it's pretty slippery). Turn your knife so that it is at a 45-degree angle to the cutting board. Pull that little piece towards you while slowly moving your knife back and forth while pushing the knife away from you.
3. As the skin comes away, pull it to one side and make sure to keep it taut. Adjust your grip on the skin so that you are holding it close to the knife to make it easier.
4. That's it! You've just skinned your salmon fillet!
Can you make your salmon burgers in a food processor?
Technically, yes. But I'd really love it if you would try chopping the salmon by hand. At least once. It really does make the best salmon burgers.
When you use a food processor, the salmon turns into a paste. Even if you're really careful not to over-process it, it will always be a bit paste-like. We don't want that.
Depending on how savvy you are with a knife, it should take about 5-10 minutes to finely chop the salmon by hand. If you factor in the time it takes to dig out your food processor and wash all the finicky little parts on it after, you might even save time chopping the salmon by hand.
By chopping the salmon the old fashioned way, you get salmon burgers that are lighter in texture. In this case, lighter = better.
Try these popular burger recipes
- Best Black Bean Veggie Burger
- Chicken Feta Spinach Burger
- Bratwurst Burger
- Lamb Burger
- Guacamole Burger
Salmon Burgers Recipe
Ingredients
Salmon Burger Sauce
- Ā½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons EACH: lemon juice and minced chives (can sub green onions)
- 1 tablespoon finely minced dill
- 1 small garlic clove (very finely minced)
- 1 pinch EACH: salt and pepper
Salmon Burger Patties
- 1 Ā¼ lb salmon (skin removed ā see blog post for instructions on removing the skin)
- Ā¼ cup finely minced red onion
- 2 tablespoons almond flour (breadcrumbs or quick oats ā see notes)
- 1 tablespoon EACH: dijon mustard, dill and capers (minced)
- Ā½ teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
- Ā½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon EACH: butter and olive oil
- Brioche buns and arugula (for serving)
Instructions
- Mix all of the salmon burger sauce ingredients together in a small bowl and refrigerateĀ until serving.Ā½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons EACH: lemon juice and minced chives, 1 tablespoon finely minced dill, 1 small garlic clove, 1 pinch EACH: salt and pepper
- Chop the salmon by hand by cutting it into thin strips then chop the strips into the smallest pieces you can.1 Ā¼ lb salmon
- Place the chopped salmon into a large bowl and add the red onion, almond flour, mustard, dill, capers, salt, and pepper and mix thoroughly with your hands.Ā¼ cup finely minced red onion, 2 tablespoons almond flour, 1 tablespoon EACH: dijon mustard, dill and capers, Ā½ teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
- Shape the salmon into 4 salmon burger patties.
- Place the cornstarch in a shallow bowl and then dip the salmon patties into it so they are completely covered.Ā½ cup cornstarch
- Heat the butter and oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the salmon patties. Cook them for 4 minutes and then carefully flip them over and cook for 4 more minutes on the other side, until they are crispy and reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.1 tablespoon EACH: butter and olive oil
- Serve the salmon burgers on buns with arugula, some salmon burger sauce, and any of your favorite burger toppings.Brioche buns and arugula
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
