How to Cook Sockeye Salmon Burgers

These three cooking methods make it easy to prepare salmon burgers at home, whether you're cooking outdoors, on a stovetop, or with an air fryer. 

The cooking methods below can be used with either frozen or defrosted salmon burgers. Our preferred method is cooking the salmon burgers from frozen. 

Each cooking method includes a small range of cook times, but note that defrosted salmon burger patties will be done slighter faster than frozen salmon burger patties. Because of this, you can expect defrosted salmon burgers to be cooked by the lower end of the range. Frozen salmon burgers will likely be done toward the higher end of the cook time range.

Try pairing salmon burgers with a sauce or two at your next cookout to enjoy the best that the season has to offer.

The WAC recipe team featured Sockeye Salmon Burgers in a live event! Watch the recording of the cooking demo to see how it's made. 

How to Grill Salmon Burgers

Grilling salmon burgers is the quintessential way to enjoy the flavor of summer. This method for preparing grilled salmon burgers can be adapted for cooking indoors on a cast-iron grill pan. The only potential downside of cooking indoors is a lack of the charring that’s achievable over the flame of a grill.

Pro tip: If grilling thawed salmon burger patties, we recommend you cook over indirect heat. If grilling frozen salmon patties, we recommend grilling directly over the flame.

1. Prepare a hot grill (medium-high heat). Make sure the grates are clean and lightly oiled. 

2. Place thawed or frozen salmon burger patty on grill and let cook, undisturbed, on either direct or indirect heat for 2 to 5 minutes (see note above). Flip and cook for an additional 2 to 5 minutes or until cooked through.

3. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy.

How to Pan-Fry Salmon Burgers

Pan-frying salmon burgers is a simple cooking method that requires a bit less prep than grilling. While you won’t get the charring or grill marks that are iconic on a salmon burger patty, pan-frying will give the salmon patties a subtle golden sheen on the exterior.

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add just enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. 

2. When oil is sizzling hot, arrange thawed or frozen patties in a single layer. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes.

3. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy.

How to Air-Fry Salmon Burgers

For an even more convenient cooking method, try using an air fryer to prepare salmon burgers. This appliance can add even more texture to the exterior of the patty, as it will pick up a slight crisp as it air fries. 

1. Place frozen or thawed salmon burger in an air fryer basket for 10 to 13 minutes at 390 degrees F. Flip halfway through for even browning. 

2. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy.

How to Bake Salmon Burgers

Baking salmon burgers is a hands-off option that can work in a pinch. Note that with this method, you can expect the patties to release a noticeable amount of albumin as it cooks. Albumin is the white stuff on salmon you'll sometimes see forming — it's a flavorless, harmless protein. If desired, you can easily remove the albumin before serving. 

1. Preheat oven to 400F.

2. Arrange frozen or thawed salmon burgers on a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil.

3. Place in preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy.