Bright, citrusy, and packed with fresh flavor, these salmon burgers are the kind of weeknight dinner that feels a little special without requiring much effort. The patties come together with fresh salmon, cilantro, lime juice and zest, grated ginger, and green onion tops — nothing hidden, nothing processed, and absolutely no fungi in sight. A clever two-texture technique — part food processor, part hand-chopped — gives each patty a satisfying bite that holds together beautifully in the pan without any fillers or binders. The creamy avocado sauce drizzled on top brings a cool, tangy contrast to the seared, golden crust on the salmon. Butter lettuce leaves stand in for buns, keeping things light and fresh while also making these naturally grain-free. If you've ever scanned a restaurant burger menu only to find mushroom-based patties or umami-heavy sauces lurking everywhere, this is the kind of recipe you'll want bookmarked. It's clean, vibrant, and genuinely craveable.
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1 ½ lb fresh salmon fillet, skin removed, cut into 1-inch chunks
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped
2 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime)
1 tsp lime zest
1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
2 green onions (green tops only), thinly sliced
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp coconut oil or avocado oil
For the avocado sauce
1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
2 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime)
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
¼ tsp sea salt
2–3 tbsp water, to thin
For serving
8 large butter lettuce leaves, for wrapping
lime wedges, for serving (optional)
fresh cilantro sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
1
Make the avocado sauce: combine the avocado, lime juice, cilantro, sea salt, and water in a small bowl and mash with a fork until smooth and spoonable, adding water 1 tbsp at a time until the sauce is thin enough to drizzle. Set aside.
2
Place about two-thirds of the salmon chunks in a food processor and pulse 6–8 times until coarsely chopped — the mixture should hold together when pressed but still have visible texture, not a smooth paste. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
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