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This Grilled Salmon Burger Recipe is full of healthy fats and tons of taste. Use fresh salmon, a tasty blackening seasoning, and some delicious avocado crema to make the BEST burgers ever!

Need other burger ideas? I’ve gotcha covered. Try my Juicy Lucy Burgers with Goat Cheese, Grilled Poblano Burgers with Apricot Preserves, or my most recent creation, Pimento Cheese Burgers!

Side view of two grilled salmon burgers on homemade buns, with tomatoes and crema.

Big Green Egg Salmon

Burger month is here, y’all. May is often one of my favorite months here in the south because the weather is warm but not hot, the yard is bright green (thanks to my hubby and his yard/plant skills), and it’s prime grilling season. There is nothing better than smelling the charcoal from our BGE (Big Green Egg) and then filling it with our favorite meats and veggies.

For these salmon burgers, I elected to make them inside in my cast iron skillet due to time constraints amidst a stormy weather week – my LEAST favorite part of May! While these burgers are delicate, I think you could totally make them on an outdoor grill as well.

Side view of a plate with a grilled salmon burger with blackened seasoning on top with a spoonful of avocado crema.

Ingredients Needed for Blackened Salmon Burgers:

Let’s go shopping, y’all. Or in my case, order online! Have I told you how much I love online access to groceries as I continue to fight chronic foot pain? Love the ease and convenience, even though I miss choosing my own produce.

Fresh Salmon – Buy the salmon withOUT skin, or remove it. We eat salmon almost every week, so I keep it handy in the freezer.
Panko breadcrumbs, an egg, and parmesan cheese – These items make the salmon patties stick together and add flavor. Everything goes right in the food processor.
Blackened Seasoning – I use a similar seasoning for my Skillet Blackened Tilapia. Most of these items should be in your pantry, and it’s a simple combo of paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and salt. Pro-Tip: Keep a large batch of this in a mason jar, ready to go!
Olive Oil – You’ll need just a couple of tablespoons for pan frying. If you make the salmon patties on the grill, just brush a light coating of oil on them to prevent sticking.
Avocado Crema Ingredients – This simple mixture combines one large avocado, sour cream light (or you could use plain Greek yogurt), cilantro, lime, and garlic salt. This topping is SO unbelievable, so don’t skip it please!
Hamburger Buns – I got the baking gene from my momma, so of course, I had to whip up some homemade buns using Norma Jean’s Whole Wheat Honey Bread recipe! But hey, you could use store-bought as well. 😀

Side view of a salmon burger on a homemade everything bagel bun.

How to make Blackened Salmon Burgers with Avocado Crema:

Step 1
Prep the patties. Cut the salmon into chunks and place in a food processor. Add the Panko crumbs, an egg, and parmesan cheese, and pulse until it resembles ground meat. Dump the mixture into a bowl, and using your hands, form into four patties.

A food processor with the ingredients for salmon burgers.

A food processor of the blended salmon mixture.

A white plate of four large salmon patties, with a small plate of blackened seasoning.

A white plate with salmon patties topped with the seasoning.

Step 2
Make the seasoning. In a small bowl, combine the paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and salt. Spread the seasoning on both sides of salmon patties, adding a good amount to each one. (You most likely won’t use all the seasoning.)

Step 3
Prepare the Avocado Crema. In your food processor, combine the avocado, sour cream, cilantro, lime, and garlic salt. Pulse until creamy. Test for seasoning.

Side view of a bowl of crema with a hand holding up a teaspoon of it.

Step 4
Cook the burgers. Heat some olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Gently add two of the salmon patties, and cook until done, about 2-3 minutes per side. Repeat for the remaining two patties. The cooking time will vary, depending on the heat of your cooking surface and the thickness of the salmon patties.

A cast iron skillet with two large salmon burgers cooking.

Step 5
Serve. Take a hamburger bun, lay some thin tomato slices on the bottom, followed by a salmon burger, and top with a big scoop of Avocado Crema. EAT!

Beware: These salmon burgers are both delicious and messy! My guys like to add just a bit of the Avocado Crema on top, and then dip each bite in more!

Overhead view of two plates of the open faced burger with avocado crema on top.

Let’s talk about how good my homemade whole wheat hamburger buns taste with these burgers or any burgers. In addition to the amazing taste, they freeze well. Instead of wasting half of a package of store-bought buns each time you grill, you can simply remove a few homemade buns from the freezer, and enjoy the best taste. I highly recommend giving it a go! And yes, my family is so spoiled. 😀

What to serve with these delicious burgers:

Classic Wedge Salad – Love this combo of ingredients, and that blue cheese dressing.
Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad – Summer equals pasta salad, and I’m all in on this one.
Herb Buttery Smashed Potatoes – There is no such thing as too many potatoes in our home.
End your meal with some freshly baked cookies, like my Super Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies or my Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. So good!

Make this salmon recipe next: Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon

xoxo ~Sue