Pork Free Cilantro Lime Salmon Burgers
Fresh salmon is the star here, pulsed and hand-chopped into patties that are bright with lime zest, ginger, and cilantro — the kind of burger that tastes like summer on a plate. The two-texture technique, part food processor and part hand-chopped, is what keeps these patties cohesive and satisfying rather than dense or mushy. A quick chill in the fridge before they hit the pan makes all the difference, giving you that gorgeous golden crust without the patty falling apart. The creamy avocado sauce comes together in minutes with just a fork and a handful of pantry staples, adding a cool, herby richness that plays perfectly against the seared salmon. Butter lettuce wraps keep everything light and naturally gluten-free, so the focus stays entirely on those bold, zesty flavors. This is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels impressive without demanding much — just good fish, fresh ingredients, and a hot skillet.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the patties
- 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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