Perfect Salmon Burgers

Article by Emily Saladino

Whether you’re looking to mix up your burger routine, eat more fish or satisfy a craving, this salmon burgers recipe has you covered. The salmon patties come together quickly and can be customized with different spices or served exactly as they are atop salad greens or within lightly toasted buns. To make the most of your salmon budget, follow Food Network Kitchen’s step-by-step instructions and cook up irresistibly tender, juicy salmon burgers.

Making Salmon Patties Like a Pro: Tips from Food Network Kitchen

Use fresh, center-cut fillets: While you can make canned salmon burgers, our recipe developers prefer the tender texture and rich flavor of fresh fish. Center-cut fillets are especially succulent, so they won’t dry out during cooking. When you buy the fillets, ask your grocer or fishmonger to remove the skin and pin bones.

Different textures make the best salmon burgers: This recipe for making salmon patties divides the fish: Most is blitzed to a burger-like consistency in the food processor, but a quarter of the fresh salmon is chunked and stirred into the mix. This way, every bite of the salmon burgers has lots of flavor and texture. If you don’t have a food processor, a sturdy blender will do the trick.

Customize the burger mix: Our recipe developers love the way that fresh lemon, Dijon mustard and cayenne complement the fish, but you can also add a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley or oregano, or a half-teaspoon of garlic powder or onion powder to the burger mix in the food processor.

Don’t skip the rest: Chilling the salmon patties in the fridge before you dredge them in panko and cook them on the stovetop helps the ingredients bind and prevents the burgers from separating or crumbling when you cook them.

How to cook salmon patties: Cook salmon burgers on the stovetop in a nonstick or seasoned cast-iron skillet so you can keep a close eye on the delicate fish and ensure it cooks evenly and doesn’t dry out. The light breading on the exterior of each salmon patty will lightly crisp in the hot oil, too, creating a subtle but satisfying crust.

How to know when salmon burgers are done: Cook the salmon patties until just browned, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side, so the interior stays tender and juicy. To check if the salmon burgers are done, lightly press the center of the patty with a finger. If it springs back, it’s ready to come out of the pan; if it feels wet or the indentation of your finger remains on the surface, give it another minute.

What to Serve with Salmon Burgers

Looking to dress your salmon burgers and turn them into a meal? Here are some of Food Network Kitchen’s favorite ways to serve salmon burgers.

Salmon burger toppings. Slather each bun with tartar sauce and add a handful of fresh arugula for tangy, peppery complement to the buttery salmon. Or substitute crunchy romaine lettuce and add sliced fresh tomatoes. You can also mix equal-parts mayonnaise and Dijon mustard to use as a sauce for salmon burgers or serve them on a salad dressed with Dijon vinaigrette.

Side dishes for salmon burgers. Serve your salmon burgers with French fries, lemon-parmesan roasted potatoes, crunchy coleslaw, miso-dressed baby bok choy, a handful of potato chips or your other favorite burger side dishes.