Grilled Fresh Salmon Burgers
Quick and easy grilled fresh salmon burgers are full of flavor and nutrition. A great alternative to classic beef burgers for your summer barbecue!
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Five years ago I joined a recipe challenge group called The Recipe ReDux and shared my salmon burger recipe in my inaugural post. Five years later The Recipe ReDux is bigger than ever and my involvement in the group has led me to work harder on improving my recipes and my food photography, meet amazing colleagues and healthy food bloggers, and grow my brand and my business immensely.
While today is not the ReDux reveal day (that happens on the 21st and 22nd of every month – you can find five years’ worth of ReDux recipes here), I have been meaning to update the recipe and photographs for these Grilled Fresh Salmon Burgers for quite some time. What better time than now – the start of summer and grilling season!
Ingredients & Preparation
In this new and improved recipe I have seriously cut the prep time by whipping out the food processor to pulse the salmon and the rest of the ingredients until it’s all a smooth consistency.
Once the fish is pureed I form the mixture into patties and refrigerate them for about 30 minutes before grilling. The refrigeration helps to solidify the burgers so they’re not too loose and fall through the grates of the grill. Another way to prevent this potential problem with grill grates is to start grilling the burgers on a piece of aluminum foil coated with cooking spray or oil, and then transfer them to the grates when partially cooked.
These Grilled Fresh Salmon Burgers cook up pretty quickly – I recommend 3 to 4 minutes per side. If you like your fish more well done, add another minute or two per side. Since you won’t have much time to make side dishes while the burgers are cooking, I suggest you use the time while the burgers are in the refrigerator to make your side dishes and put together any burger toppings.
What are you going to top these burgers with? The original recipe combined them with my Spicy Fresh Cherry Chutney, but you can also serve them with my Homemade Apple Chutney (shown in the pictures here) or my Tomato Jam. The Lemon Yogurt Sauce I pair with my Corn & Basil Cakes would also be delish as would sliced avocado or some guac! No matter how you top it, you can’t go wrong!
Ready for the new and improved recipe? Let’s get cooking!
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Grilled Fresh Salmon Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 - 2 pounds salmon fillet, skin removed and cut into large chunks (see note below)
- 1 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno pepper, optional (remove seeds and ribs of pepper; add based on level of spiciness desired)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons whole wheat panko (for gluten-free, use GF bread crumbs)
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray for the grill
Instructions
In a large food processor, pulse salmon with red onion, jalapeno pepper (if using), lemon juice, panko, salt, and pepper until mostly chopped. Divide salmon mixture into 8 equal portions and form into patties. Refrigerate burgers for 30 minutes.
Heat grill to 450-500 degrees F. Spray grates with nonstick cooking spray or brush with oil. (Or line grates with a piece of oil-coated foil - see note below.)
Remove salmon burgers from refrigerator and place on grill. Cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side until cooked through. If you like your salmon more well done, cook 1 to 2 minutes longer.
Recipe Notes
- When I buy my fish I ask for them to remove the skin - saves a step and much easier for them to do it with their fish knives!
- Burgers can also be made indoors on a grill pan, cast-iron skillet, or in the broiler.
- When cooking on a grill, I recommend placing burgers on a piece of aluminum foil coated with cooking spray or olive oil. Once burgers are partially cooked they can be transferred directly on the grates. This will prevent the salmon from falling through the grates.
Have you ever made fresh salmon burgers?
What would you top yours with?
Share with me in the comments below!

Wow, 5 years in the ReDux- congrats! I love salmon burgers- these look delish and the spicy cherry chutney sounds like a great accompaniment. I totally need to go through my old recipes and update/rephotograph them. It just seems like such a daunting task, lol!
Thanks Sonali! I can’t believe it’s been 5 years! The cherry chutney is such a good pairing with these burgers – hope you try it! And yes, the rephotographing is such an ordeal – getting to them all sloooowly!
I’ve been thinking about updating SO many of my old photos too. I’m a little bit more motivated now that I see yours – great job, and congrats on 5 years!
So glad I could help motivate you Anne! It takes time, but I’ve been trying to do it in baby steps!
Love me my salmon! this is a great way to switch it up from my typical grilled salmon!
xo,
Sarah Grace
http://freshfitnhealthy.com
Yay! Can’t wait for you to try it Sarah Grace!
Love love that these were your first ReDux post (and you were among the original members – whoot!) Pinning these babies 🙂
Thanks Deanna! I love being a part of the ReDux (and love that I am one of the original members!). Thanks for pinning!
I’m so happy it’s grilling season! These salmon burgers sound so delicious – and I love that they’re so easy to throw together. Allows me to kick back and enjoy the evening too 🙂 Pinned!
Me too! And yes – this recipe is def one that allows you to enjoy and relax too! Thanks for sharing!
I can’t believe we’ve been doing Redux for 5 years! These salmon burgers look great and I love your tips for grilling them.
I know – it’s crazy how long it’s been! Thanks so much!! Hope you try them!
I love salmon, sounds like a fantastic spice combo. Yum!
Thanks Lauren! It’s really yummy – hope you try it!
It’s it crazy that it’s been 5 years for the Recipe Redux!? I remember my horrendous first photo post! These burgers look great and perfect for summer!
I know! I love the ReDux community! And we’ve all come a long way! I actually looked at some of the links from that first post and it was amazing to see our growth! Thanks so much – hope you try them!
I routinely buy frozen wild salmon burgers and they’re tasty when dressed up with avocado and other goodies. Now I have a good reason to make them from scratch. These look like a whole other ballgame. Yum.
The frozen burgers are so convenient but for a homemade from scratch version I hope you enjoy this one!
yum! I’ve always stayed away from salmon burgers because the frozen ones never sound good. I can already ‘smell’ the fish just looking in the freezer section! But fresh ones, that’s another story!
Also, 5 years!!!! You’ve been involved since the beginning haven’t you?! that’s awesome!
Haha…I think I bought frozen salmon burgers once in my life and didn’t love them, so I get it! But I do hope you’ll try the fresh ones – they are super delish and really easy to make! And yes, I’ve been part of the ReDux from the very beginning. Just goes to show how old I am 😉
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These look so great! Can’t wait to try!
Thanks! They are so easy and so delicious! LMK if you make them 🙂
I love salmon, but have never thought to make a burger. You’ve now inspired me to try. Thanks!
So glad I could give you a new idea Kelly. Let me know if you try them!
Love a tasty salmon burger! Perfect for summer!
For sure! Enjoy Abbey!
My kids really love salmon and I bet they would like these. Thanks for the easy recipe
I hope they do Deborah! You’re most welcome 🙂
We’re having salmon burgers for dinner tonight! I’ll have to try your recipe next.
So funny! Hope you enjoyed yours and lmk if you get a chance to try this version out!
LOVE salmon. These look like such a good bbq option for when everyone else is having hamburgers (I don’t eat red meat)!
Yes, they are a perfect addition to a barbecue for non-meat eaters!
i love how this comes together in less than an hour! weeknight dinner 🙂
The best part, IMO! So easy!
Ooooh, these are definitely getting made soon in my kitchen! I’m always looking for more ways to make fish because we don’t always eat it as often as we should.
Can’t wait for you to make them! I find a lot of people run into that issue with fish. Burgers make for a great way to get in your servings, especially for the kids.
These look really good. Salmon is about the only fish I will eat, but I have never made it into a burger. May have to try this.
Thanks mikki! So glad to hear you like salmon. I hope you give these a try and enjoy them!
I need these in my life!!! What a delightful recipe– can’t wait to try it.
Can’t wait to hear how you like them Julie! Thank you.
Can’t wait to make these!
How would you suggest cooking if you can’t grill on a BBQ?
I cook them in the broiler when it’s not grilling season. You could also do in a cast-iron skillet. Would love to hear how they come out!