Avocado Salmon Burgers

These super nutritious and easy Avocado Salmon Burgers are made with budget friendly canned salmon for a high protein meal full of heart-healthy fat.

Why you should make Avocado Salmon Burgers

Avocado Salmon Burgers fall under the budget friendly, delicious dinner (that I eat for lunch) category. And I love them. Love love love 'em!

These Avocado Salmon Burgers are incredibly nutritious, with their healthy fats and satisfying protein. I serve mine with a hefty side of veggies like romaine lettuce tossed with sliced tomatoes + some kind of grain, and it's perfect.

I know canned fish isn't known for its culinary prowess, but don't shun the thought of using canned salmon if you've never tried it. It's an excellent way to get in your recommended serving of fish on a budget. Plus it really can taste good and that's what matters most, right? Right.

Basically, you should try these because they are easy to make, inexpensive, and very delicious.

They are also free of gluten, dairy, soy, and nuts. You could probably omit the egg and add a tablespoon of lime juice to help it hold together. They won't stay together as well but they'll still be tasty no matter what.

How to Cook Salmon Burgers

Super simple to make:

1. Mash the avocado and mix together the binder ingredients first.
2. Gently stir in your salmon, and shape into patties.
3. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
4. Then cook in a skillet, and enjoy!

Tips for Making Avocado Salmon Burgers

The best canned salmon for salmon burgers

When buying canned salmon, be sure to look for those that are wild-caught in Alaska for your most environmentally friendly. I like Wild Planet, Safe Catch, StarKist, and the Costco Kirkland brand canned salmons.

I also like to look for a label that shows that the fish has been eco-certified by the Marine Stewardship Council and/or Aquaculture Stewardship Council.

Make Ahead Tips

These are best made ahead so you can refrigerate the burgers. The refrigeration step helps them hold together a little better when cooking. However, they only need about 20-30 minutes in the fridge, so these can still be ready in less than an hour if you need them to be.

These are great to make in advance for meal prep. You can refrigerate after forming the patties for up to one day, and you can freeze the cooked burgers. Just thaw in the fridge for an hour before reheating the burgers in the skillet over low heat. Microwaving on a paper towel (to absorb excess liquid) in 30 second intervals until done can be done in a pinch.

Variations & Substitutions

Green onion, cilantro, and citrus (lime or lemon) zest are all optional but give great flavor! I always forget green onion, so I honestly leave it out most of the time, and they are still delish. Same with the cilantro, and if you aren't a cilantro fan, just use parsley in its place. Or omit it.

However, the lime or lemon zest is really important in my opinion, so add it if you can.

If you can't find 2 (6 ounces) cans of salmon, you can also use 1 (14 ounce) can in place.

Frequently Asked Questions

What condiments do you put on a salmon burger?

There are tons of options for condiments to serve with your salmon burgers. I like to add a slice of lemon or lime and some ketchup. You could also top with salsa or guacamole.

How do you freeze salmon burgers?

You can freeze the salmon burgers before they have been cooked or after. I prefer to freeze them after cooking, so you can simply reheat and enjoy.

To freeze uncooked burgers, form into burgers and wrap in parchment or waxed paper and keep in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one month. 

To freeze cooked burgers, follow directions to cook. Let cool completely; then wrap in parchment or waxed paper and keep in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one month. 

How do you cook frozen salmon burgers?

To cook frozen uncooked salmon burgers, let thaw in the refrigerator for at least 90 minutes. Then heat the skillet and cook as directed, adding an extra 2-4 minutes per side until cooked through.

To cook frozen pre-cooked salmon burgers, reheat in the microwave on 50% power at 45 second intervals on a paper towel until warmed through. Or heat a skillet over medium heat, and cook about 5 minutes per side until heated through.

Are salmon burgers healthy?

Yes, these salmon burgers are full of heart-beneficial fats like omega 3's thanks to the salmon and avocado. Plus, they are an excellent source of protein, and they even have some fiber in the burgers from the avocados.

If you use a canned salmon with bones, you get a nice dose of calcium and vitamin D. 

What to serve with this dish

I love serving these with a bunch of veggies and some kind of whole grain. I try to keep a big batch of cooked quinoa or rice in my fridge or freezer. So I serve these Avocado Salmon Burgers with a cooked grain over a bed of lettuce with a generous squeeze of lime juice or another veggie I'm in the mood for -- typically that's roasted veggies.

Final thoughts:

These Avocado Salmon Burgers are a recipe that I go to time and time again because I know they are tasty and I know they'll keep me satisfied.

MORE SALMON RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

• Salmon Asparagus Bundles
• Feta Salmon Burgers
• Salmon Eggplant Grilled Cheese
• Asian Salmon Burgers
• Chickpea Salmon Burgers
• Salmon with Mango Yogurt Sauce

Avocado Salmon Burgers

These super nutritious and easy Avocado Salmon Burgers are made with budget friendly canned salmon for a high protein meal full of heart-healthy fat.

5 from 2 votes

Print Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Resting time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 burgers

Author: Meme

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 medium avocado mashed
• ▢ 1 large egg
• ▢ 1/4 cup chopped green onion from about 2 green onions
• ▢ 1/4 tsp salt
• ▢ 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• ▢ 2 TBSP chopped cilantro optional
• ▢ 1/2 tsp lime zest optional
• ▢ 2 (6 ounce) cans salmon drained
• ▢ 2 tsp olive oil
• ▢ lime wedges for serving

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Stir together mashed avocado, egg, green onion, salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, cilantro, and lime zest, if using, until completely combined. Stir in salmon until mixed well.
• Shape into 4 burgers, cover, and refrigerate for at least 20-30 minutes or overnight.
• When ready to cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to skillet and heat oil. When the oil is hot {should take a minute or two}, add the salmon burgers to skillet. {You might want to do this in batches, so you don't overcrowd the skillet}.
• Cook until burger releases easily from the skillet and is lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Flip and cook until the other side is lightly browned, another 4-6 minutes.
• Serve with lime wedges over lettuce or on a whole grain hamburger bun. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

*Green onion, cilantro, and citrus (lime or lemon) zest are all optional but give great flavor!
*You can also use 1 (14 ounce) can in place of the 2 (6 ounce) cans

Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo

What to use in this recipe:

Meme

This post was originally published September 10, 2014. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.