Go Back Email Link

FRIDAY FISH: Caprese Salmon Burgers

I made these from scratch using convenient frozen salmon fillets on the advice of Dorie Greenspan, but if you’ve got frozen salmon burgers in your freezer, and you are short of time or patience or gumption, use those and be happy. Don’t overcook these babies!
makes 4 burgers

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ pounds boneless, skinless salmon fillets, rinsed and patted dry
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, divided
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • 1/3 cup minced red or white onion
  • 1 minced large plump clove garlic
  • 2 tablespoons finely diced red bell pepper
  • ½ cup fresh bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt (I use Morton’s.)
  • ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon EACH: salted butter and olive oil
  • Grated mozzarella cheese (1 cup) or 4 slices, fresh basil leaves, and sliced ripe tomatoes for garnish
  • 4 buttered and grilled burger buns –can toast under broiler instead
  • Mustard sauce (recipe below) and mayonnaise for serving (I like them mixed.)

Instructions

  • Chop the salmon fillets into 1 - 2-inch chunks. Place a quarter of it into a food processor bowl with 1 tablespoon of the mayonnaise and the red wine vinegar, and pulse it into a paste. Add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and the rest of the salmon. Pulse slowly/carefully, scraping down the sides as needed, until everything is just barely chopped finely and mixed well with the first salmon paste. (If needed you can chop the salmon entirely by hand.)
  • Turn mixture into a large bowl and add the bread crumbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano, dried basil, salt, pepper, and cayenne. (I stirred those ingredients together in a cup first.) Mix gently until only combined; don’t overmix. Divide salmon mixture into four even piles. Shape each into a ball and gently pass the ball back and forth between your hands to firm it up. Pat the balls into even round patties, tapping the edges to make them even. Cover and refrigerate at least 20 minutes, but no more than a few hours.
  • Heat the butter and oil in a large nonstick skillet or sauté pan over medium high heat. Add burgers and cook 4 minutes until lightly browned. Turn carefully, add 1/4 cup grated mozzarella (or 1 slice) to each patty. Lower heat and cook another 2 minutes or so or until an instant read thermometer reads around 140 degrees F. (The temperature will rise as the burgers rest.) Don’t overcook.
  • Serve hot or warm on buttered, grilled buns with mustard sauce, and/or the reserved 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (I like to mix the sauce and the mayo), fresh basil, and sliced tomatoes.
    LEFTOVERS: Store up to 3 days well-wrapped in refrigerator. Eat cold on salad or reheat gently in greased pan. Freeze well-wrapped for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in fridge; reheat gently in greased pan.

Notes

MUSTARD SAUCE: Stir together 2 tablespoons each Dijon-style mustard and; whole grain mustard; 1 teaspoon grated prepared horseradish (or to taste); ½ teaspoon local honey; a drop or two of hot sauce; and a pinch each salt and pepper.
Copyright Alyce Morgan, 2021  
Inspired by Trident Frozen Salmon Burgers (COSTCO), Dorie Greenspan, and Mark Bittman. Many thanks!