These pan-seared salmon burgers are made in less than 10 minutes. Add a creamy dill sauce, peppery arugula, and a thick slice of tomato and you have a tasty dinner in no time.
Burger night is on for this Mitten Movie Night. And it’s a totally different take on your traditional ground beef burger. This burger is made with salmon that has been pan-seared in a cast iron pan so it’s flaky on the inside, and crisp on the outside.
Compared to traditional beef burger recipes on the stovetop, the cleanup is minimal for this salmon burger recipe.
Jump to:
What beer pairs well with salmon?
The beer: Vibin Grooveable Lager from Funky Buddha
I picked up this golden ale while we were in Florida. Very light, drinkable, and has a flavor profile that goes perfectly with pan-seared salmon.
What movie should you watch on burger night?
We recently subscribed to HBO Max so that we could enjoy some of the newly released movies from home. It has easily become one of my favorite streaming services. They have lots of movies, great original content, and The White Lotus. The White Lotus is EASILY one of the best shows on TV, period.
Hawaiian paradise luxury resort. A whodunit within the first few minutes. The tension between storylines from the very beginning is enough to keep you engaged, but what I think really makes this show is the cast. Jennifer Coolidge, and Steve Zahn, are comedy greats but this show is also very, very dark.
Ingredients for salmon burgers
This salmon burger has –
- Skinless salmon fillets or planks cut into bun-sized portions. Frozen or fresh both work well.
- Arugula. For a peppery bite.
- Slices of tomato.
- Burger buns.
- Dill sauce made with mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, and garlic powder. For a quick topping that adds lots of flavor to the salmon burger.
How to make pan-seared salmon burgers step-by-step
The key to a good burger, in my opinion, is to start with a great bun. Before you hit the bread aisle, check out your grocery store bakery section. For just a bit more in price, you can have freshly baked buns instead of the prepacked ones.
For this burger recipe, I like to serve them on toasted buns. It’s a simple step that can easily be skipped, but why would you when the result speaks for itself?
I mean just look at that golden, crunchy bread with a buttery taste to it. Next level.
For the salmon, pat them dry then top with a simple combination of pink Himalayan salt and ground black pepper.
Heat the cast-iron skillet over medium heat, then add butter and olive oil. Once the butter has been melted, add the salmon to the pan.
Cook on one side for 4 minutes. Carefully flip the salmon with a spatula, then cook for another 4 minutes.
While the salmon cooks, mix together the ingredients for the sauce: mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, and dill.
FAQ’s
Can you make salmon in a pan that is not cast iron?
Yes, feel free to use a nonstick skillet and use the same directions.
What temperature should salmon be cooked to?
The center of the salmon steak should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Tips & Variations
- Swap out Greek yogurt for sour cream in the sauce.
- Toss the arugula with a squeeze of lemon before topping the burger.
Storage
Add the leftover salmon to a covered container and the buns separately. Place the sauce in a separate covered container and refrigerate. Eat within 3 days. Reheat the salmon on the stovetop in a little oil and assemble.
Side dishes that go great with burgers
After slathering the bun with the dill mayo sauce, I kept it simple with a thick slice of tomato and peppery arugula. Add more dill mayo on the top bun. And here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Pan-Seared Salmon Burgers
Equipment
- sheet pan
- cast iron skillet
Ingredients
Pan-Seared Salmon Burgers
- 4 4-ounce wild caught salmon fillets I purchased the fillets that had the skin already removed
- 4 hamburger buns
- 2 teaspoon butter for the buns
- 1 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter for cooking the salmon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup arugula
- 4 slices tomato
Creamy Dill Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon dill fresh or dried
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Pan-Seared Salmon Burgers
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Split the 4 buns down the center.
- Spread 1/2 tsp butter to each side of the bun. Place the bun butter side down on a large baking sheet.
- Bake the buns in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and keep warm while cooking the salmon.
- Pat the salmon dry, then season each side of the fillets with salt and pepper.
- Heat the cast iron pan over medium heat. Add the butter and olive oil.
- When the butter has melted, place the salmon into the pan. Let cook for 4 minutes.
- Gently flip the salmon and cook on the other side for another 4 minutes.
- Place the salmon on the bottom bun. Add the sauce, tomato, arugula, more sauce, then the top bun.
Creamy Dill Sauce
- Add all the ingredients together in a small bowl and stir until combined.
Notes
Tips for making this recipe:
- I purchased the fillets that had the skin already removed. If you use the type with skin-on, remove the skin before cooking.
- To store: Add the leftover salmon to a covered container and the buns separately. Place the sauce in a separate covered container and refrigerate. Eat within 3 days. Reheat the salmon on the stovetop in a little oil and assemble.
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Last Updated on May 21, 2023 by Erin@BottomLeftoftheMitten
These sound delicious! I have done tuna burgers before, but never salmon. Will have to try!
Thank you, Melanie! Let me know how you like it.
Oh wow I have never thought of making a salmon burger!
It’s a great way to switch up burger night for sure!