This spinach feta salmon burger makes a tasty, relatively healthy alternative to a traditional burger that's also really quick to make. Juicy, flavorful, so good.
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Salmon is easily the fish we get the most as it's one of the few fish the kids eat consistently. The most popular ways are made into salmon teriyaki or as sushi, but we also sometimes have salmon cakes like my mildly-Thai salmon cakes.
It wasn't such a leap to then use salmon as a base for these seafood burgers. Being a burger, I changed up how I made them compared to my salmon cakes, but this method also means they are even more quick and easy to make.
This fish burger is a tasty, healthy alternative to your traditional meat burger, but with many of the same qualities. They are moist, have plenty of flavor and use a pretty simple set of ingredients.
Best of all, they take just a minute to make in the food processor, and cook up quickly as well. They're a great way to enjoy seafood in the summer, which to me is a great fit being that bit lighter.
Summer seafood
I often find that warm weather means I'm looking for lighter meals. Sometimes that means pairing a main with something lighter like a salad, other times it means no-cook or more tapas-like meals.
But seafood itself is, I find, often perfectly suited to warmer weather as it's that bit lighter and easier to eat anyway. True, maybe not hearty soups, but certainly raw dishes like fish crudo and scallop ceviche as appetizers or as part of a snackier meal.
Other lighter fare that's more of a meal includes tuna-stuffed avocado, shrimp ceviche tostadas a seared tuna and veggie bowl, or try this crab boil recipe.
Steps to make these spinach feta salmon burgers
All you do is:
- Pulse together the salmon and spinach in the food processor. Don't over-process - you want relatively small chunks and combined but not mush.
- Then add the crumbled cheese, lemon juice and pepper and mix through.
- Form in to patties and you're ready to go. Don't be put off by the fact these are a bit soft with not having any breadcrumbs in there. They will firm up by chilling, if you have time, and also quickly as they cook.
I know a number of salmon cakes/burgers include breadcrumbs but these don't. Personally I don't think you really need breadcrumbs in these. In fact I think they'd be a distraction from the lovely mellow flavors in there and probably make them less juicy.
You can cook these either on the grill or in a skillet/frying pan on the stove. I would say frying is a little safer as they are relatively lean and so can stick. If you choose to grill, I'd suggest chilling them in the fridge after forming, to help them firm up, then spraying them with a little oil on the outside to help avoid them sticking.
How to serve these salmon burgers
I've served these with a simple but tasty avocado cream and in a simple bun - here I used brioche though I have also served these in English muffins and they worked well.
If you'd prefer to skip the bread, then you could also make them into a kind of salad wrap. Either use some larger-leaf spinach or lettuce as the wrapper then add in some salad additions like thin slices of pepper, cucumber and maybe some shredded carrot.
Alternatively, you could serve them just as they are alongside other sides like rice, fries or a grain or green salad. There really are lots of options as the flavors work with a wide range.
So whip up a spinach feta salmon burger or two in no time and enjoy all the lovely mellow flavors yourself. Juicy, on the healthier side and so easy to make. In other words plenty of excuses to enjoy soon.
Try these other burgers with a twist:
- Lamb burgers with tomato salsa and feta sauce
- Maple turkey burgers with cheddar, apple and bacon
- Asparagus parmesan burger with parmesan chips
- Chicken satay burgers
- Plus get many more grilling ideas, sides etc in the summer recipes archives.
Spinach feta salmon burger
Ingredients
For burgers
- 1 lb salmon
- 2 oz spinach (2oz is approx 1 packed cup, roughly chopped if large leaf, fine as-is if baby)
- 2 oz feta crumbled
- 1 ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 pinches pepper or more to taste
For sauce
- ½ avocado
- 4 tablespoon sour cream
- 4 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic crushed/minced, optional
To serve
- 4 burger buns brioche, plain or wholewheat as you prefer
Instructions
- Remove the skin from the salmon and ensure there are no bones. Cut into chunks, approx 2in/5cm cubes. Put the salmon, spinach, feta, lemon juice and a generous grind of pepper into the food processor and process until combined and broken up but try not to over-mix.
- Remove the blade from the food processor then divide the mixture into 4 and form into burgers. They will be relatively soft - if you have time, I'd suggest you lay on a baking sheet/tray to firm up in the fridge for around an hour before cooking.
- Towards the end of while they are chilling, make the sauce (or you can do during cooking if you prefer) - mash the avocado, mix in the lemon juice then the sour cream and garlic, if using.
- Cook the salmon burgers either on the grill or in a skillet/frying pan with a little oil for approximately 3 minutes each side until gently browned and cooked through. Note they will cook quicker than a solid piece of salmon fillet. You'll see white-looking juices coming out the side as they are near done on each side.
- Toast the buns then spread on a thin layer of the avocado cream on the bottom before topping with the burger.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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This post was first published in August 2016 and has been updated, primarily with added video, new photos and additional hints and tips.
Ro says
God these are so delicious I love these! Just wondering if it’s ok to batch cook for the week and store these in the freezer?
Caroline's Cooking says
So glad you enjoyed them! You know, I have never tried freezing them so I can't say for sure, but I can imagine they should work fine. I'd suggest freezing in a single layer, such as on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag or container.
Kerry says
Okay these looks so good!
Did anyone ever try freezing these up before cooking? Do you think I could make them up a day in advance and store in the fridge?
Caroline's Cooking says
Hi, glad you like the look of them, they are a favorite. Yes you can make them ahead of time and refrigerate, you might just find some liquid comes out of them so pat them dry before cooking. I haven't tried freezing them but there's no reason why it wouldn't work. Just don't use previously frozen fish is you are going to freeze them uncooked, as you shouldn't re-freeze.
Brian Jones says
What lovely light flavours, this sounds delicious and so simple too! Definitely adding this to my cooking schedule!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Brian, it is indeed a simple combination but the feta adds a great flavor that works so well.
Pam Greer says
I love salmon burgers and I love your take on them!! I am so jealous of your nearby fishmonger!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Pam, we are very lucky with that, for sure!
melve says
Another healthy burger recipe for my burger lover little girl. Your burger sounds delicious and I am excited to make this for dinner. Thanks for sharing.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Melve, these are so easy and great being healthy (and tasty) too.
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook says
Who needs a beef burger when this is so good! I need one, please. 😀
Caroline's Cooking says
I agree, Jhuls - these are so good I would happily opt for one of these instead.
Julie says
Oh my gosh this burger sounds so creamy and delicious!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Julie, it really is so tasty (and easy).
Colleen says
I kind of want to eat that sauce up with a spoon! The burger looks amazing too...but the sauce...oh yeah!!!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Colleen - funnily enough, my son ate the bread with that sauce on first!
sneha datar says
Spinach and feta combo are my favorite in addition to it fish. Oh! the burger must have tasted amazing.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Sneha, I agree they go well with fish and this makes such an easy and tasty burger.
karen says
These look pretty amazing. What a great way to get your spinach too! I'm definitely giving these a try.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Karen, indeed a great way to get some greens! Hope you enjoy them as much as we did.
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
I just love this recipe. I can see why it grabbed your attention, such a great flavor profile.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Wendy, they're great flavors - one of these days I'll try the other ones to see how they compare but we certainly all enjoyed this version a lot so why change a good thing 🙂
Sarah says
This looks amazing!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks so much Sarah!
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says
I agree that this sounds like a mouthwatering combo. I love that the feta is mixed right into the burgers so that you're sure to have it infused in every bite. Yum!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Heather, indeed you get both the flavor and the juiciness through in each bite. So tasty!