Enjoy these hearty Best Salmon Burgers for a flavorful, easy, and healthy dinner the whole family will love!

I grew up eating a lottttt of salmon.

I remember my dad grilling it outside or baking it for dinner topped with this wonderful seafood seasoning. I remember my mom whipping up her famous salmon dip made with canned salmon, cream cheese, lemon juice, onion, liquid smoke, and horseradish for Jewish holidays.

Given my love for salmon, it was high time to post the salmon burger recipe that I make at home on a regular basis. You’ve seen salmon burger recipes make an appearance on here before, like my Kale and Broccoli Salmon Burgers and Goat Cheese and Spinach Salmon Burgers from way back when in 2012. But today’s version is my gold standard!

Now I know there’s a lot of confusion for consumers on which salmon is the best choice. Canned, fresh, frozen, wild, farmed…how’s one to know?! I always purchase wild salmon (I’ll talking about the difference between wild and farmed below) and I also look for the country of origin (Alaska or New Zealand are what I usually see).

“Atlantic” salmon is code for farmed salmon. There is responsibly sourced farmed salmon, such as the Verlasso® brand out of Chile, which is what we use at Alchemy in order to keep prices affordable for our customers. It’s the highest quality, most sustainable farmed option and the salmon are raised in conditions nearly identical to wild salmon.

I buy frozen wild salmon at Costco and defrost it when I want whole salmon fillets. I also keep canned wild salmon on hand all the time because salmon burgers are so DELISH!

Choosing Between Wild and Farmed Salmon

While it is more expensive, wild-caught salmon is usually the most sustainable kind of salmon for the environment and also the most nutritious (wild salmon has more omega-3’s due to their natural diet). The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch is my favorite resource when it comes to science-based recommendations for ocean-friendly seafood choices.

They even have printable guides to find the most sustainable options for your state! The seafood to avoid means that “they’re overfished, lack strong management or are caught or farmed in ways that harm other marine life or the environment.”

Per the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, here are some simple guidelines to follow when shopping for salmon:

Look for wild-caught salmon that’s eco-certified by the Marine Stewardship Council
Say, “No, thanks” to farmed salmon unless it’s:
- farmed in indoor recirculating tanks
- farmed by Nordic Blu in Norway
- sold under the brand names Verlasso®, Sixty South or Blue Circle Foods®
- farmed in Maine, British Columbia, the Faroe Islands or Scotland’s Orkney Islands
- eco-certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council

Is Canned Salmon Healthy?

Fresh wild salmon, canned wild salmon, it’s all GOOD! The nice thing about using canned salmon here is that it’s WAY cheaper than fresh or frozen salmon and still tastes amazing. The nutrition stats for salmon are off the charts!

Packed with brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids, regularly consuming wild salmon may boost heart health and help combat inflammation. Salmon is also loaded of vitamin B12, selenium, and vitamin D.

Tips on How to Make the Best Salmon Burgers

Eggs and breadcrumbs help hold these babies together, but draining the salmon is super important to get rid of any extra liquid that makes the burgers fall apart. Sautéing the veggies before hand helps reduce moisture, as well.
Handle the patties carefully when you’re forming them. If for some reason you can’t form patties, add more breadcrumbs. Freezing the burgers helps firm them up prior to cooking.
Flavor, flavor, flavor! Mayo adds a wonderful richness that’s complimented by the tangy Dijon, fresh parsley, and flavorful veggies. I often add fresh or dried dill and a squeeze of lemon juice, too.
Make sure the oil is nice and hot so the burgers get that beautiful browning. A drop of water on the pan should sizzle.

Do Salmon Burgers Freeze Well?

Indeed! These patties freeze like a dream, making dinner a breeze. Once patties are frozen in a single layer on the baking sheet, simply place them in a ziplock baggie. You can also individually wrap each one, if desired. Defrost overnight before pan prying.

How to Serve Salmon Burgers

I love serving these beauties with plenty of Dijon mustard, some butter lettuce, and roasted potatoes. I’ve also enjoyed them open-faced on a piece of toasty sourdough slathered in Dijon. You can also chop one up and devour it in a loaded salad.

If you love this recipe, please let me know by leaving a 5-star rating and/or comment! I hope you adore it as much as I do.

CRAVING MORE SEAFOOD GOODNESS? DON’T MISS MY OTHER GO-TO RECIPES:

Get your gorgeous salmon on, pretty people!