Salmon Burger

This recipe for Salmon Burgers plays off the classic flavors of Bagel and Lox. Hand chopped wild Salmon gets blended with capers, shallots, and lemon zest then topped with red onion, slices of cucumber, and a schmear of scratch made tartar sauce.

Salmon Burger
Pro move: Double Salmon Burger!

Scratch Made Tartar Sauce and Mayonnaise

Scratch made tartar sauce? Yep! You could start with store bought mayo but the homemade stuff is far superior and worth the small amount of effort. Besides, itā€™s good to know how to make it in case you run out. Mayonnaise is just eggs, oil, and acid (lemon and / or vinegar) so you probably have that stuff anyway. Sometimes I use a whisk if Iā€™m making a small amount but an immersion blender is really the best tool for the job.

To turn homemade mayonnaise into tartar sauce weā€™re going to add fresh dill and chives plus horseradish and sweet relish. I know you can buy this stuff in the store for $2.39 but weā€™re here to Eat Up! Itā€™s so much more gratifying to learn how things are made and choosing to avoid factory processed foods. Spend your money on quality ingredients and reap the rewards of saying ā€œI MADE THISā€.

You can find the recipes for Homemade Mayo here and Tartar Sauce here.

Scratch Made Tartar Sauce
Scratch Made Tartar Sauce

Salmon Burger

Salmon Burger

When it came to researching different salmon burger recipes I have to say I was a little disappointed. Many of the recipes simply used the salmon as a vehicle to deliver other flavor profiles. I wanted to elevate the salmon flavor and let it be known that, without question, youā€™re eating a Salmon Burger. As I experimented with different ingredients I realized I was subconsciously moving towards bagel and lox. What a ā€˜duhā€™ moment.

This is what every salmon burger should taste like.

I tried three different kinds of salmon. Canned, frozen, and fresh. I also tried one recipe that said to steam the salmon first before mixing it into a burger patty. They all worked perfectly fine but I preferred the fresh organic wild salmon from Scotland that I picked up at John Yiā€™s in Reading Terminal Market. Yeah, it was a $20/pound salmon but it was worth it. I bought two pounds. One for the burgers and one pound to bake with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. I made some really great salmon sandwiches with the leftovers.

Youā€™ll need to chop your salmon by hand for this recipe. This is going to result in a better texture and allow for less filler and binding ingredients. Do not use a food processor. Use a sharp chefā€™s knife to chop the salmon into 3/8 to 1/2 inch chunks. Then take one third of the chopped salmon and chop it even finer – almost into a paste. You could probably just take this salmon and form it into burgers but I do enjoy the addition of an egg and a small amount of breadcrumbs. Mix them together with the chopped salmon along with finely chopped parsley, capers, and lemon zest. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least a half hour for the flavors to combine.

One pound of fresh wild salmon should make three to five burgers. I made five thinner burgers that only needed be pan fried for 60-90 seconds per side. You can make yours a little thicker and cook them a little longer. Or, if you like yours rare / medium rare cook them accordingly.

In addition to the capers in the burger mix, a bagel and lox inspired salmon burger wouldnā€™t be complete without red onion and cucumber. I used a brioche bun from Metropolitan Bakery but you can use whatever bun you like. Or you could just serve this over a bed of mixed greens too. It would be fantastic served as a ‘deconstructed’ burger over greens using the tartar sauce as the dressing.

Salmon Burger

Thereā€™s a good amount of ingredients in these recipes for Salmon Burgers and Scratch Made Tartar Sauce but thereā€™s not really a lot of work to do. Make the tartar sauce first so it has time to chill in the fridge while youā€™re making the burgers. You should be enjoying salmon burgers in under an hour!

– Eat Up!

Salmon Burger
Start with one pound of fresh wild-caught salmon.
Salmon Burger
Remove the skin by placing your hand firmly on the top of the fish and your knife between the flesh and the skin.
Salmon Burger
Once the knife is starting to cut the skin away, you can pull the flesh up to make sure you’re not leaving too much fish with the skin.
Salmon Burger
There should be a minimal amount of flesh lepton the skin. Discard the skin.
Salmon Burger
Slice the fish into 3/8 inch slices.
Salmon Burger
Turn the slices 90 degrees then slice in to cubes.
Salmon Burger
Try to keep the pieces of salmon about the same size. Cut bigger pieces in half.
Salmon Burger
Further chop one third of the salmon so it’s almost a paste. This will help bind the mixture without too much filler.
Salmon Burger
Chop one shallot.
Salmon Burger
Chop one shallot.
Salmon Burger
Combine salmon, shallot, one egg, breadcrumbs, parsley, capers, and lemon zest.
Salmon Burger
Mix together with a fork or wooden spoon.
Salmon Burger
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This can be done the day before.
Salmon Burger
Equally divide the salmon mixture into 3 to 5 portions depending on how thick you want your burgers.
Salmon Burger
Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Fry salmon for 60 to 90 seconds per side or until a golden brown crust begins to form.
Salmon Burger
Garnish Salmon Burgers with slices of red onion, cucumber, and leafy greens.
Salmon Burger
Salmon Burger with Scratch Made Tartar Sauce.
Salmon Burger
:drool emoji:

Salmon Burger

Recipe by Anthony
5.0 from 2 votes
Course: SandwichCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

45

minutes

This recipe for Salmon Burgers plays off the classic flavors of Bagel and Lox. Hand chopped wild Salmon gets blended with capers, shallots, and lemon zest then topped with red onion, slices of cucumber, and a schmear of scratch made tartar sauce.

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Wild Salmon

  • 1 Shallot minced

  • 2 Tbs Capers

  • 2 Tbs Finely Chopped Parsley

  • 1/3 Cup Breadcrumbs

  • 1 Egg

  • 1 Lemon Zest

  • Kosher Salt

Directions

  • Use a sharp chefā€™s knife to chop salmon into 1/4 to 3/8 inch pieces. Further mince one third of the salmon almost into a paste.Transfer salmon into a large bowl along with shallots, capers, parsley, breadcrumbs, egg, and lemon zest. Use a fork to thoroughly combine all ingredients.
  • Transfer salmon into a large bowl along with shallots, capers, parsley, breadcrumbs, egg, and lemon zest. Use a fork to thoroughly combine all ingredients.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • Divide salmon mixture into four to five equal portions. Form by hand or use a ring form to form mixture into burger patties.
  • Heat a nonstick skillet over medium low heat with a tablespoon of oil. Liberally season burger with kosher salt just before pan frying. Cook for 60-90 seconds per side.
  • Top with scratch made tartar sauce, thinly sliced cucumber, red onion and leafy green lettuce.

Notes

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One Comment

  1. QUERINO DE FREITAS

    I NEVER CHOP FISH WITH A KNIFE…WHEN WE MAKE GIFILTE FISH AT HOME SALMON IS SOMETIMES MIXED WITH COD OR HADDOCK THEN USEING A MEEZALUNA TO CHOP THE FISH….YOU MUST TRY THIS METHOD…THANKS…QUERINO

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