Healthy Salmon Patties Salmon Burger

Enjoy this simple-to-make recipe using your air fryer or stovetop! This quick and easy salmon patties recipe is one of my favorite ways to enjoy salmon. It’s my healthier take on a classic salmon patty, that can be had as an appetizer, light lunch, or as a delicious filling for burgers.

And if you’re looking for an easy and healthy salmon burger recipe, this recipe fits the bill! When we’re in the mood for burgers, I make a quick lemon caper sauce to serve along with other salmon burger toppings, like coleslaw! It makes for one of the simplest and tastiest burger recipes.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

These salmon patties are on repeat in my home. Here’s why:

It’s a versatile recipe that can be customized easily. My hubby and I enjoy these patties over slaw or a salad for a low-carb meal, and the girls turn these into delicious salmon burgers. Healthy recipe loaded with veggies. By adding carrots and spinach, I increase the nutrients and fiber content of these patties. Combine that with the amazing health benefits of salmon, it’s a tasty meal that’s good for you.This recipe comes together in 30 minutes. I simply throw everything in a food processor, and blend. After that, whether I choose to cook them in a skillet or air fryer, dinner is on the table in 30 minutes, which is perfect for weeknights!

No food processor? No problem! Use canned salmon instead. Follow the instructions and tips below and enjoy salmon patties or burgers!

Health Benefits of Salmon

Salmon is perhaps one of the most nutritious fish to cook with. It is delicious and easily available in most grocery stores. This popular fatty fish is loaded with nutrients and may reduce risk factors for several diseases. Here are some health benefits of this super fish:

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation, may lower blood pressure and decrease risk factors for diseases like cancer.Great source of protein. A 3.5-ounce serving of salmon contains 22–25 grams of protein.It is an excellent source of many B vitamins, which help in energy production, controlling inflammation and protecting heart and brain health.Salmon is a great source of potassium and selenium. One helps control blood pressure, and the other protects bone health, improves thyroid function and may reduce the risk of cancer.

Ingredients- Notes & Substitutions

It takes a handful of ingredients to make these versatile patties. Here’s what you need:

Salmon: I prefer to use fresh or frozen salmon for this recipe. But if you only have canned salmon on hand, you can use it following the tips mentioned below.For fresh fish, buy skinless fillets, or remove their skin following the easy instructions below. If using frozen, thaw them overnight in the fridge and then pat them dry really well before using. If using canned, be sure to drain out any liquid they were stored in. You might need to use a few tablespoons of binding agents like breadcrumbs or almond flour if the mixture is too moist. Vegetables & Herbs: I love adding spinach and carrots in this recipe for added nutrients and fiber. They keep the patty mix moist and add a subtle natural sweetness that compliments the taste of salmon. Feel free to switch those to veggies of choice, like zucchini or kale. Green onions, garlic and dill add an aromatic base flavor to these patties. Not a fan of dill? Use parsley instead. Spices: I use paprika, coriander and cumin, which provide floral, citrusy flavors. You can use the seasoning of your choice instead, for example, taco seasoning, Italian seasoning, or simply season it with salt & pepper.

How to Remove Skin from Salmon

Skip this step if using skinless salmon. Here’s how to remove the skin from a salmon fillet:

Place the fillet, skin-side down on a chopping board, tail end or thinner side towards you. Hold the tail end with a kitchen towel to give you a firm grip and prevent it from slipping.Using a thin sharp knife, make a cut between the flesh and skin and move the knife in the opposite direction, away from the tail end, in a sawing motion. Adjust the end closer to you and continue to cut along the length of the fillet. Remove and discard skin.

How to Make Salmon Patties

Let us take a look at how to make salmon patties from scratch using a simple skillet or in an air fryer. Gather the ingredients.

Form Patties

Patties falling apart? Sometimes the patty mix gets too moist (especially if using canned salmon), which prevents the patties from binding. To bind the patties add a few tablespoons of breadcrumbs. For keeping them low carb, add almond flour instead. Now let’s take a look at how to cook salmon patties. Cook the patties using one of the following methods:

Cook Patties in Skillet

Heat a skillet on medium heat, add 1-2 teaspoons olive oil and place the salmon patties. Cook them 3-4 minutes on first side, flip and repeat on the second side (total 6-8 minutes depending on size of patties). Before flipping, lightly drizzle some oil over the salmon patties to crisp them up.

Salmon Patties in Air Fryer

Let’s take a look on how to cook salmon burger in an air fryer. Pre-heat air fryer at 390°F for 2 minutes. Place 4-5 salmon patties in the fryer basket, leaving space between them. Brush them with oil, flip and brush oil on the other side as well. Air fry for 8-9 minutes or until light golden color on the outside.

Grill Salmon Patties on an Outdoor grill

This recipe works great for grilling outdoors too. Place the patties on the medium-heat section of the grill, and cook for 3-4 minutes per side. Check for doneness: Insert a meat thermometer in the center of the patty without touching the pan. Salmon is fully cooked when it reaches 145 degrees F.

What to Serve with Salmon Patties

You can have these patties as an appetizer, lunch or transform them into a burger. Here are a few serving suggestions: Appetizer/ Snack: When making these for appetizers, I reduce the size of the patties or make round or oblong salmon cakes. I serve these alongside dipping sauces like lemon caper sauce, cilantro chutney, sriracha mayo or a creamy avocado sauce. Lunch: Toss a few baby greens or a spring salad mix, cherry tomatoes and sliced cucumber with your favorite dressing and serve these salmon patties over them for a satisfying and filling lunch. Burger: Let’s take a look at what to put on a salmon burger. Toast your favorite kind of burger buns with butter, and generously slather my easy lemon caper sauce or this sweet-spicy sriracha mayo over them. Top with a slice each of lettuce, tomato, and red onion, followed by the salmon patty. Top that with pickles followed by the bun. Serve with either regular french fries or sweet potato fries.

Recipe Tips & Notes

Salmon: You can make patties with fresh, frozen or canned salmon. If using fresh, buy skinless salmon fillets, or remove the skin yourself following the tips above. If using canned salmon, be sure to drain out the liquids.Pulse not Puree: For best results, when making the salmon patty mix in the food processor, remember to use the ‘pulse’ feature and not blend. For this reason, I do not recommend using a blender for this part. Make it low carb: These salmon patties make a great low carb meal when served with slaw or salad. Each salmon patty contains 6 grams of net carbs including the corn and breading.Keto salmon patties: To make these patties keto-friendly, skip the corn and replace the breadcrumbs with almond flour or almond meal. After these two switches, each salmon patty contains just 2 grams of net carbs.Meal prep: It is best to cook the burgers and store for meal prep since uncooked patties may develop more moisture as they sit. Store cooked patties in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. To reheat, simply microwave in 30 second increments or heat in skillet on medium heat.Check for doneness: To confirm that Salmon is cooked through, insert a meat thermometer in the center of the patty without touching the pan. Salmon is fully cooked when it reaches 145 degrees F.