Asian Salmon Burgers with Wasabi Mayonnaise are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of flavour. They’re also surprisingly easy to make!
My tastebuds are controlled by the weather. When it’s cool, chilly or downright cold, I want hearty, stick-to-your-ribs fare. When things start warming up, though, my body says, “Don’t weigh me down!”
It’s getting toasty out there, folks, so it’s time to lighten things up a bit. Fish is a perfect way to accomplish that deliciously. It’s satisfying, protein-packed, fast, and simple. It’s a wonderful solution for the on-the-go family in the summer.
Salmon is a crowd-pleasing fish choice under most circumstances, but when it’s turned into a burger, it can convert even the most entrenched fish-haters.
A food processor makes fast work of breaking down the fish. Admittedly, when you’ve pulsed the fish into a chunky puree, it looks like you might be going down the wrong road, but stick with it because it’s so darned good when it’s all said and done!
When it comes to serving these beautifully moist salmon burgers with a hint of ginger, you have a couple of options. The kids like them on toasted whole wheat hamburger rolls with just a smear of Wasabi Mayonnaise.
The grown-ups in our house like them wrapped in a tender lettuce leaf with a dollop of Wasabi Mayonnaise, some Asian Marinated Cucumber Salad, and some Asian Pickled Carrots.
The lettuce leaf makes a fabulous lower-calorie and lower-carbohydrate substitute for a bun. (Ya know, for the second and third burgers you eat. If you’re like me, that is…)
Either way, they are fabulous.
Serve these up on Memorial Day for a surefire hit! How will you eat them?
Visit Kraft Recipes for more Memorial Day friendly sandwich recipes!
Looking for more ways to cook salmon?
Try my new favourite Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad. This is our go-to for warmer months but we reach for it in the colder weather, too.
Don’t forget to try our Best Way to Cook Salmon. It’ll change your dinner life to make air fryer salmon!
Asian Salmon Burgers with Wasabi Mayonnaise
Rate RecipeIngredients
For the Salmon Burgers:
- 2 pounds salmon fillets skin and bones removed carefully.
- 1 3/4 cups panko breadcrumbs preferably whole wheat, plus more if needed
- 1 bunch green onions washed
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon pickling liquid from a jar of pickled ginger Gari
- Oil for pan frying canola, peanut, or vegetable
For the Wasabi Mayonnaise:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1-3 tablespoons wasabi paste according to taste
Optional Ingredients for Serving:
- Whole wheat buns like butter or red leaf lettuce, toasted ~or~ tender lettuce leaves
- Asian Pickled Carrots
- Asian Marinated Cucumber Salad
- Pickled ginger
Instructions
To Prepare the Burgers:
- Cut the salmon into 2-inch chunks and put into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse until the fish is broken down into chunky puree. It should still have pebble sized pieces (about ¼-inch) in it.
- Scrape this into a bowl.
- Cut the root end from the green onions, slice in half lengthwise, turn them 90° and slice them very thinly. Put this into the bowl with the salmon, ½ cup of the panko bread crumbs, mayonnaise, and pickled ginger liquid. Mix until uniform.
- Line a baking sheet with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Divide the salmon mixture into 8 mounds and form those mounds into patties that are ¾-inch thick. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1-8 hours before cooking.
- Pour the remaining panko bread crumbs onto a plate. Gently lift and place each salmon patty on the bread crumbs, press down lightly to help the panko stick, flip the patties over and repeat.
- Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. When it is very hot, add about 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan and swirl it to coat.
- Ease the panko crusted patties into the pan. A 12-inch pan should hold 4 patties at a time and still give you room to manoeuver the spatula when it comes time to flip them. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the first side is deep golden brown. Carefully flip the patties using a wide spatula. Be cautious because the oil will want to splatter. Fry the second side for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown and firm around the outer edges. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate or platter. Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan and repeat until fried all of the salmon burgers.
To Prepare the Wasabi Mayonnaise:
- Put the mayonnaise in a small bowl and use a fork or small whisk to stir in the wasabi paste, starting with 1 tablespoon. Taste the mayonnaise and adjust with more wasabi if you want a stronger flavour.
To Serve the Salmon Burgers:
- If you’re watching how much bread you eat, serve the Salmon Burgers on a tender lettuce leaf topped with a dollop of the Wasabi Mayonnaise and any other optional toppings you’d like. If you want to eat it burger style, put a patty on top of a toasted whole wheat bun, spread some wasabi mayonnaise over the burger and top as desired.
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
did you make this recipe?
Make sure to tag @foodiewithfam on Instagram and #hashtag it #foodiewithfamily so I can check it out!
Disclosure: This is part of my continuing series as a member of the Kraft Tastemakers team. All recipes, opinions and wasabi are my own.
Reader's Thoughts...
Judy says
Wabasi Mayo on Salmon..and lots of other things sounds DELICIOUS!!! I use dried wabasi peas in salads regularly for just enough “kick” bit I never thought to drink and add them to mayo for a sandwich or extra good salad dressing. Your emails and recipes are xtra ordinary:)
Judy says
Story about my typo…” grind them and add them to mayo!!!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
These were the first salmon burgers that I ever tried, and I don’t see any reason to try any others. Ever. These were amazing. I’m going to put that wasabi mayonnaise on every sandwich for the rest of my life. Thanks for changing my life!
Lyn, a baby boomer who loves food and gets younger every day says
I’ve heard of several different alternatives to beef patty burgers such as mushroom caps, tofu and turkey but I have never heard (or thought) of putting salmon on a burger. With the way you’ve made it up it looks great and I think the flavors of an Asian style salmon with wasabi would be excellent as a burger. It has a little bit of spice which I love and it’s so much healthier than regular burgers.
Nutmeg Nanny says
Oh wow! I am not big on seafood, but I’d definitely try this 🙂 it looks so good!
Keegan says
I have yet to try a salmon burger but this may be the first one! I was a little curious about how you would go about making a salmon patty so I’m glad you included it 🙂
Crystal @ Simply Playful Fare says
These look so good! I love salmon burgers, but I usually get mine from the freezer section. I’ve never thought about making them fresh. I’ll have to try this!
Sheila says
Living near the big lake, we get a lot of salmon gifted to us by fisherman friends and frankly I get tired of the eating it, but salmon burgers are something I’ve never tried. They look amazing. I make a similar mayo and put it on teriyaki hamburgers topped with grilled pineapple! yummage.
Rebecca says
Oh my. Would that your friends had my address!!!! I hope you enjoy these as much as we do. And my goodness that version you make sounds tasty!
Rie says
I am not a big fish fan but am trying to eat ‘healthier”. I trust you Rebecca so I will give this a try. You have’nt failed me yet!!! xoox
Rebecca says
Aw, shucks Rie. I hope you love these like we do!
Tieghan says
Salmon burgers rule, but that wasabi maya!! Holy yum!
Erika-Southern Souffle says
Wasabi mayo on a Salmon Burger… Yessss!! this is brilliant..
April @BarbellsandBellinis says
These look mouthwatering!! I have never seen a lettuce wrapped burger that looked more delicious.
Sharon & Denise @ BeBetsy says
These look amazing!!! And the recipe seems super simple and quick. We will be trying them in the near future. Thanks for sharing. ~~ Sharon & Denise
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says
I adore salmon burgers! And this wasabi mayo, get out of town! Love it.
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
Looks delicious!!! I know somebody (who shall remain nameless) that would “borrow” the bowl away after I make the wasabi mayo!!! Can’t wait to try these!