Easy Blackened Salmon Burgers with Herbed Fennel Slaw
Smoky Cajun-spiced blackened salmon burgers on soft brioche buns and paired with crisp fennel slaw – the ultimate fresh and flavorful dinner.
This blackened salmon burger recipe is simply to die for! It’s a quick and easy meal that the whole family is sure to love!
Be sure to check out these fresh salmon burgers, this lemon grilled salmon, and our delicious smoked salmon recipes too!
There’s something magical about biting into a juicy salmon burger that’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with bold Cajun flavor. Add a crunchy, zesty fennel slaw and suddenly dinner feels like a coastal getaway on a plate.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is one of the best salmon burger recipes you’ll ever try. The Cajun spice gives it a smoky kick, the brioche bun is soft and buttery, and the salmon stays perfectly tender.
You can whip it up in under 20 minutes, making it a weeknight hero. Plus, it’s versatile – serve it with slaw, avocado, or a dollop of herbed cream cheese for endless options.
We go salmon fishing every year, either to Prince Rupert, where we charter a boat for several days, or on the Shuswap river, where we riverside camp with family for the week. On a good year, we will do both and end up with a full freezer stocked for the year.
All that fresh fish makes the best salmon burgers! These are the kind of burgers that turn an ordinary Tuesday into something worth celebrating – no fancy restaurant required.
We’re always coming up with new, delicious ways to use our catch and these burgers were made with our own fresh-caught salmon. But Costco often has good deals on salmon fillets in the meat section!
If you’ve ever wondered how to make a salmon burger at home, this recipe is for you. It has the best flavor and makes perfectly cooked, healthy burgers that taste like they came from a fancy restaurant.
Easy Blackened Salmon Burgers
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Supplies
- Nonstick Skillet – We use this one and our large cast iron skillet interchangeably.
- Sharp knife – Important for removing the salmon skin.
- Mixing bowls – This is the set I use.
- Measuring cups & measuring spoons – We often eyeball the ingredients in this recipe now, but for the beginner, it’s good to measure everything exactly.
- Parchment paper – Used to separate the fillets as you make them.
- Kitchen scale – For making the fillets equal sizes.
- Baking sheet – Makes transporting the salmon easy!
Ingredients
- Fresh salmon, cut into 4 fillets – The star of the show; choose boneless, skinless fillets for the best texture.
- Butter – Because buttery salmon is happy salmon.
- Cajun spice seasoning – This is where that irresistible smoky, spicy flavor comes from.
- Brioche buns – Soft, rich, and perfect for holding your burgers.
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, melt the butter.
2. Coat both sides of the salmon fillets with the melted butter.
3. Sprinkle a generous amount of Cajun seasoning on both sides of the fish.
4. Pour remaining butter into a skillet.
5. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat.
6. When it starts to smoke, add the fillets to the pan.
7. Cook on medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of your fillets.
8. Serve on a brioche bun with your favorite burger toppings.
We love, love, love to serve these burgers with homemade apple fennel slaw! The combination of crunchy texture and flavors is next level!
Serving Suggestions
Here are a few of the things that I like to top these blackened salmon fillets with!
- Pickled red onions, apple fennel slaw, sliced red pepper, or avocado.
- Herbed cream cheese, greek yogurt, or lemon dill sauce.
- Use Hawaiian rolls to make salmon sliders!
- Keep it simple with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.
Substitutions
- A combination of black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika may be used to make homemade Cajun seasoning mix.
- Use a tablespoon of olive oil instead of butter.
- Slider rolls or lettuce wraps may be used instead of traditional hamburger buns.
Tips and Tricks
- For baked salmon burgers, cook fillets on a lined sheet at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
- Let your salmon sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking for even heat distribution.
- Use a cast iron skillet for an unbeatable blackened crust.
- The fish should have a nice blackened, charred look to it before flipping. It is not burnt, the seasonings have simply activated.
- If you want extra spicy salmon burgers, add more cayenne to your Cajun seasoning.
- Lightly toast your brioche buns to prevent them from getting soggy.
- Try leftover fillets in fish tacos for a quick next-day meal.
- Cooked salmon fillets can be place in an airtight container and refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can salmon burgers be grilled?
Yes! Cook over medium-high heat (about 350°F) for 5 minutes per side.
Do you have to use fresh salmon?
Nope – previously frozen salmon works beautifully. Just thaw it fully before cooking.
Can I bake these salmon burgers?
Absolutely. Place fillets on a lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, checking with a meat thermometer.
What are the best toppings for a salmon burger?
Pickled red onions, fennel slaw, avocado slices, herbed cream cheese, or a squeeze of lemon are all delicious options.
Can I make these into sliders?
Yes! Swap brioche buns for Hawaiian rolls for mini salmon burgers.
More Salmon Recipes to Try
These are just a few of our favorites.
- Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe
- Maple Baked Salmon Recipe
- Baked Salmon Bites
- Salmon & Shrimp Ceviche
- Blackened Salmon Recipe
If you love these blackened salmon burgers, please give them a five-star review and help me share them on Facebook or Pinterest!
Blackened Salmon Burgers
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds fresh salmon boneless, skinless, and cut into 4 fillets
- 4 Tbsp butter melted
- 4 tsp Cajun spice seasoning
- Brioche buns
Instructions
- In a small bowl, melt the butter.
- Coat both sides of the salmon fillets with the melted butter.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of Cajun seasoning on the fish to cover both sides.
- Pour remaining butter into a skillet.
- Heat the skillet over medium-high heat.
- When it starts to smoke, add the fillets to the pan.
- Cook on medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of your fillet.
- Serve on a brioche bun with your favorite burger toppings.
Video
Notes
- For baked salmon burgers, cook fillets on a lined sheet at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
- Let your salmon sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking for even heat distribution.
- Use a cast iron skillet for an unbeatable blackened crust.
- The fish should have a nice blackened, charred look to it before flipping. It is not burnt, the seasonings have simply activated.
- If you want extra spicy salmon burgers, add more cayenne to your Cajun seasoning.
- Lightly toast your brioche buns to prevent them from getting soggy.
- Try leftover fillets in fish tacos for a quick next-day meal.
- Cooked salmon fillets can be place in an airtight container and refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
