Grilled Salmon Burgers with Avocado Crema

Side view of a blackened salmon burger on a homemade bun with crema and lettuce plus onion.

5 from 13 votes

Grilled Salmon Burgers with Avocado Crema

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!

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Avocado Crema, blackened salmon burgers, grilled salmon

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 12

Total Time 42

Servings burgers

Calories 440kcal

Author Sue Ringsdorf

Ingredients

For the salmon burgers:

20 oz. fresh salmon, skinless
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 Tablespoon parmesan cheese
1 large egg
3 Tablespoons blackened seasoning - homemade or store-bought
2 Tablespoons avocado oil - or more as needed
hamburger buns of your choice
lettuce, red onion, and/or tomato slices - to serve

For the Crema:

1 large avocado
1/2 cup sour cream light - or you can use plain Greek yogurt
2 Tablespoons cilantro
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 medium lime - freshly squeezed

Instructions

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.
Form patties. Transfer the salmon mixture onto a plate and use your hands to form the meat into four equal-sized patties.
Add blackened seasoning. Combine seasoning mixture (or use store-bought) and sprinkle about three tablespoons over both sides of the salmon patties.
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.
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 and the thickness of the salmon patties.
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!

Notes

These burgers cook very quickly. I like to make them inside using my cast iron skillet, but you could make them on the grill too. Just brush both sides of patties with olive oil, and be gentle!
Make up a large batch of the blackening seasoning and store in a mason jar. You'll be surprised how much you use it.
Don't make the Avocado Crema too far in advance, for best results. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covering tightly with cling wrap.
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!

Nutrition