Grilled Salmon Burgers with Avocado Crema

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These Grilled Salmon Burgers with Avocado Crema are a fresh and flavorful twist on a classic burger – packed with bold seasoning and topped with a creamy avocado sauce. They are a lighter, healthier alternative to a traditional burger that is so delicious you will never miss the beef!

Side view of a blackened salmon burger with avocado creama.

Best Salmon Burgers

While we love grilling classic beef or turkey burgers outside, these salmon burgers are just as easy to make indoors in a cast-iron skillet. Because the patties are a bit more delicate and cook very quickly, I often prefer cooking them inside where they’re easier to manage. That said, they can absolutely be cooked on an outdoor grill if you prefer that smoky flavor.

These simple burgers come together with just four main ingredients, plus a generous coating of blackened seasoning on the outside for bold flavor. Top them with a creamy avocado crema (or simply use smashed avocado if you prefer) and serve on your favorite buns for an easy, flavor-packed meal.

Reasons to love these salmon burgers:

Quick and easy to make – With just a few simple ingredients, these burgers come together fast, making them perfect for busy weeknights.
Fresh, bold flavor – The blackened seasoning adds a smoky kick that pairs perfectly with the rich salmon and creamy avocado crema.
Light but satisfying – Salmon burgers feel lighter than traditional beef burgers but are still filling and packed with protein.
Versatile cooking options – You can cook them on the grill or in a cast iron skillet indoors, so they work year-round no matter the weather.

Side view of the salmon burger with crema and the bun partly off of it.

Ingredients Needed for Blackened Salmon Burgers:

Fresh Salmon – Buy the salmon without skin, or simply 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!
Avocado Oil (or another neutral 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. In a pinch, you could use mashed avocado.
Hamburger Buns – I got the baking gene from my momma, so of course, I had to whip up some homemade buns using my recipe for Homemade Hoagie Rolls (but make them round for burgers).

A hand holding a halved salmon burger with avocado crema.

How to make Grilled Salmon Burgers with Avocado Crema:

Step 1
Prep the patties. Cut the salmon into chunks and place in a large food processor. Add the Panko crumbs, an egg, and parmesan cheese. Pulse for 10-15 seconds or until it resembles ground meat.

If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a knife and chop it up instead.

A food processor with the ingredients for salmon burgers.

A food processor of the blended salmon mixture.

Step 2
Form patties. Transfer the salmon mixture onto a plate and use your hands to form the meat into four equal-sized patties.

Step 3
Add blackened seasoning. Combine homemade blackened seasoning mixture (or use store-bought) and sprinkle about three tablespoons over both sides of the salmon patties.

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 4
Prepare the Avocado Crema. In a small 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 5
Cook the burgers. Heat avocado 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 (these cook fast!). Repeat for the remaining two patties. The cooking time will vary, depending on the heat of your cooking surface, thickness of the salmon patties, and your preference.

A cast iron skillet with two large salmon burgers cooking.

Step 6
Assemble burgers. On the bottom side of bun, add lettuce, onion, and/or tomato, followed by a grilled salmon burger, and top with a big scoop of avocado crema.

NOTE: 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!

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 Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. So good!

Overhead view of a plate with a large grilled salmon burger with avocado crema and the top bun shifted off.

Best Burger Buns

While you can buy store-bought buns, we like to make ours at home! Use my Homemade Hoagie Rolls recipe but shape them into rounds for buns. You can also make our Soft Burger Buns or Everything Bagel Rolls!

Recipe FAQs:

What type of salmon works best for salmon burgers?

Fresh salmon fillets work best because they give the burgers great flavor and texture. Skinless salmon is easiest to work with, but if your fillet has skin, simply remove it before chopping or pulsing the fish.

Should I chop or grind the salmon?

You can do either. Finely chopping the salmon with a knife creates a slightly chunkier texture, while pulsing it a few times in a food processor makes a smoother burger mixture. Just be careful not to over-process.

How do I keep salmon burgers from falling apart?

Adding a binder like breadcrumbs and an egg helps hold everything together. It also helps to chill the formed patties in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes before grilling so they firm up.

Can I cook salmon burgers on the grill instead of a skillet?

Yes! Lightly oil the grill grates and cook the burgers over medium heat so they don’t stick. A grill pan or piece of foil can also help if you’re worried about them breaking apart.

What is avocado crema?

Avocado crema is a creamy sauce made by blending ripe avocado with ingredients like lime juice, sour cream or Greek yogurt, garlic, and salt. It adds a cool, tangy, and slightly rich topping that pairs perfectly with the salmon.

Can I make the avocado crema ahead of time?

Yes, you can make it an hour or so in advance. Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to help prevent browning.

Other Delicious Burger Recipes:

Need more burger ideas? We’ve gotcha covered!

Side view of a halved salmon burger with avocado crema.

Make this salmon recipe next: Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon

xoxo ~Sue