SALMON BURGERS

Mar 6, 2012

smitten ⋅ hearty dinners, kiddos, quick and easy, seafood ⋅ bbq, burger, lemon, salmon, seafood ⋅ No comments

•Don’t be intimidated to make your own salmon burgers.  They are much healthier then cheeseburgers, but still kid friendly, inexpensive, and easy, yet fancy enough for company.  Everything is whipped up in the food processor and you can cook on the grill, stove top or in oven.

 

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless salmon

2 tsp capers

1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard

2 1/2 tsp lemon zest

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 clove garlic

1 large wedge of red onion-1/8 of a medium size onion

small handful of parsley

1 egg

6 tbls panko breadcrumbs

4 buns-toasted or not, I toasted whole wheat buns

 

fixins ideas- sliced tomatoes, squeeze of lemon, spinach or mixed greens, sliced red onion, tartar sauce (add ketchup to make 1000 island), pickles, tangy honey bbq sauce would be fun too, mayo or dijon.

  

serves 4-can be made smaller for appetizers

prep and cook time 1 1/2 hours

 

Check the salmon for bones.  Cut up the salmon into chunks and toss in in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment.  Pulse 4-5 times until ground-don’t over process.  Transfer the salmon into a med size bowl.  Add the salt, pepper, and lemon zest; mix lightly.

    

Finely mince the onion and garlic in the food processor, add the parsley and pulse a couple more times. 

     

Add the capers and pulse once.  Scrape all the goodies into the salmon mix along with the panko, egg, and dijon; form into 4 patties (meat will be a little wet and sticky, but should hold it’s shape.  If not add another tbls panko).  Place on plate, cover and let chill in the fridge for at least a hour before you cook-see tips below♥Enjoy 

     

Salmon can be a bit persnickety-it needs to be cold before you cook it, the vessel needs to be HOT, and don’t mess with it too much, trying only to turn once.  If cooking on the grill, clean the grates and have it on high heat flipping after 3-4 min.  If cooking on a broiler pan, heat oven to 400°,  put the pan in the oven to preheat.  Spray with pan spray then place the salmon on the hot pan flipping after 3-4 min. If you’re cooking in a pan on the stove top, heat pan to med high heat, add some oil, salmon and flip after 4-5 min.  This all depends on the thickness of the patties.  In all cases the internal temperature of the salmon needs to be @ 140-145°