Canned Salmon Burgers

Name: Canned Salmon Burgers
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 12 oz boneless skinless canned salmon; 1/4 cup shallots or red onions (I diced these very small and thin); 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/4 cup mayo; 1 large egg; 1 tsp dried parsley; 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning; 2 tbsp avocado oil for sauteing the patties; 4 Brioche Burger Buns (toasted); Red Onion; Spicy Mayo (You can mix 1-2 tbsp sriracha or hot sauce with about ¼ cup of mayo); Butter Lettuce; Tomato Slices

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Canned Salmon Burgers are easy, budget-friendly, and delicious. They’re perfect when you want a lighter or seafood burger option. Enjoy these during a busy weeknight, family dinner, or take them to the cookout.

Image of a juicy canned salmon burger with fresh lettuce, ripe tomato slices, and a dollop of creamy sauce, all nestled in a perfectly toasted bun

Why Make Canned Salmon Burgers

Easy recipe: these canned salmon burgers come together in less than 30 minutes with simple ingredients.
Budget-friendly: salmon burgers are delicious, but fresh salmon can be expensive. Canned salmon can be a cost-saving option for this recipe as well as Salmon Patties with Canned Salmon and Canned Salmon Pasta Salad

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you need to know about the ingredients in this recipe to make it successfully:

Boneless Skinless Canned Salmon: I get these from the canned food aisle in the grocery store (near the tuna fish). These are a little more compared to regular canned salmon, but they save time since I don’t have to remove bones and salmon skin before making the salmon burger patties. Mine do not have any salt added.
Shallots or Red onions: you can use any onion like a yellow onion too
Garlic Powder
Mayo: I’m using full-fat mayo. It helps to keep the salmon burgers moist as they cook
Egg
Dried Parsley: you can substitute fresh parsley (similar to what I did in salmon patties with canned salmon).
Old Bay seasoning
Avocado Oil: I use this because it is a neutral tasting oil for sautéing the salmon patties
Brioche Burger Buns: or your favorite burger bun. I open the burger buns and toast them in a griddle pan before adding the salmon burgers.

Be sure to check out the recipe card at the end of the post for the exact ingredient amounts and full step-by-step instructions.

canned salmon burger ingredients arranged in separate bowls: boneless skinless canned salmon, finely chopped red onions, garlic powder, full-fat mayo for moistness, an egg, dried parsley, Old Bay seasoning, avocado oil for sautéing, and brioche burger buns

Burger Toppings: What Goes on Salmon Burgers

You can decide how fancy to make your burgers with a range of toppings. Some of my personal favorites are:

Red Onion
Spicy Mayo
Butter Lettuce
Tomato Slices

How To Make Canned Salmon Burgers

Whisk the mayo and egg in a large bowl until completely combined. They will look kind of thick like Greek yogurt.
Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl
Use a spoon to mix to incorporate
Form about 4 salmon burger patties. Set aside.
Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat
Saute the salmon burgers for 4-5 minutes per side to cook them through and brown both sides. If they are getting a little toasty then simply turn your burner down a little so that you can continue to cook the patty through.
Add the patties to toasted burger buns and top with things like lettuce, spicy mayo, butter lettuce, red onion, and tomatoes.

a photo collage showing how to make salmon burger patties by mixing canned salmon, spices, and onions in a bowl, forming the patties, and sautéing the patties in a skillet

Recipe Tips & FAQs

Store the patties in the refrigerator for 10 -15 minutes before cooking if you wish to firm them up more.
Use slider buns to create mini salmon burgers. Simply form the salmon into 8-10 smaller burgers.
Make these in the air fryer by cooking them at 375 degrees for 12-14 minutes
Store cooked canned salmon burgers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer (just thaw the salmon burgers in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

succulent salmon burger featuring crisp lettuce, juicy tomato slices, and a dollop of creamy sauce, served in a golden toasted bun

What can I put on a salmon burger?

You can use the same toppings as you would a typical burger. My personal favorites are lettuce, spicy mayo, red onions, and tomatoes. I personally skip cheese, but a melted slice would also taste great.

How do you keep salmon patties from falling apart?

This recipe uses an egg as well as a small amount of breadcrumbs to keep the salmon patties together. Sometimes, I also refrigerate the patties for 15-20 minutes if I have time as another way to give them a chance to firm up.

Can you cook canned salmon?

Yes, however, you can also eat it without cooking it like I do in Canned Salmon Pasta Salad

More Recipes using Canned Salmon

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Canned Salmon Burgers

Canned Salmon Burgers are a delicious, light, and budget-friendly burger option. Ready in less than 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Servings

Calories 117kcal

Ingredients

12 oz boneless skinless canned salmon
1/4 cup shallots or red onions I diced these very small and thin
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup mayo
1 large egg
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
2 tbsp avocado oil for sauteing the patties

Burger Toppings (Optional)

4 Brioche Burger Buns toasted
Red Onion
Spicy Mayo You can mix 1-2 tbsp sriracha or hot sauce with about ¼ cup of mayo
Butter Lettuce
Tomato Slices

Instructions

Whisk the mayo and egg in a large bowl until completely combined. They will look kind of thick like Greek yogurt.
Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl.
Use a spoon to mix to incorporate.
Form about 4 salmon burger patties. Set aside.
Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
Saute the salmon burgers for 4-5 minutes per side to cook them through and brown both sides. If they are getting a little toasty then simply turn your burner down a little so that you can continue to cook the patty through.
Add the patties to toasted burger buns and top with things like lettuce, spicy mayo, butter lettuce, red onion, and tomatoes.

Notes

Store the patties in the refrigerator for 10 -15 minutes before cooking if you wish to firm them up more.

Use slider buns to create mini salmon burgers. Simply form the salmon into 8-10 smaller burgers.

Make these in the air fryer by cooking them at 375 degrees for 12-14 minutes

Store cooked canned salmon burgers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer – just thaw the salmon burgers in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Nutrition