Prepare to have your culinary world completely rocked because these salmon burger toppings aren’t just condiments—they’re transformative experiences that will make you question every burger you’ve ever eaten before. Perfectly crafted to elevate your salmon patties from ordinary to absolutely extraordinary, these combinations will become your new obsession.
Why This Recipe Works
- The creamy avocado lime spread creates an unbelievable texture contrast that melts in your mouth while cutting through the richness of the salmon with its bright, zesty notes that dance across your taste buds in the most magical way imaginable.
- Our quick-pickled red onions deliver that perfect sweet-tangy crunch that cuts through the burger’s richness while adding vibrant color that makes your creation absolutely Instagram-worthy and impossible to resist biting into immediately.
- The secret spicy mayo blend combines just enough heat to wake up your palate without overwhelming the delicate salmon flavor, creating layers of flavor that build with every single glorious bite you take.
- Fresh herb aioli brings garden-fresh brightness that complements the salmon’s natural flavors while adding sophisticated complexity that will make you feel like you’re dining at a five-star restaurant right in your own kitchen.
- Crispy fried capers provide that unexpected textural surprise and briny pop that elevates the entire eating experience to heights you never thought possible for a simple burger topping.
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe avocados, pitted and scooped
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup capers, drained and patted dry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 brioche burger buns, lightly toasted
- 4 large butter lettuce leaves
- 2 large tomatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick
Equipment Needed
- Medium mixing bowl
- Small saucepan
- Food processor or immersion blender
- Small skillet
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Mason jar or airtight container
Instructions
Create the Life-Changing Avocado Lime Spread
Prepare to be absolutely blown away by the creamiest, most luxurious avocado spread you’ll ever experience in your entire life! Start by scooping the glorious green flesh from two perfectly ripe avocados into your food processor—listen to that satisfying schlop as it releases from the skin. Add three tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice that will make your taste buds sing with joy, along with a generous pinch of salt that will enhance every single flavor note. Pulse this heavenly mixture until it reaches the most velvety smooth consistency you can possibly imagine, scraping down the sides to ensure perfect incorporation. The transformation from simple ingredients to this magical green elixir will happen before your very eyes, creating a spread so divine you’ll want to eat it by the spoonful. Pro tip: Make this spread right before serving to maintain that vibrant green color and prevent any unfortunate browning that could ruin your beautiful burger masterpiece.
Whip Up the Spicy Mayo That Will Set Your Soul on Fire
Quick-Pickle the Red Onions for That Perfect Tangy Crunch
Prepare to witness culinary magic as ordinary red onions transform into tangy, sweet, crisp perfection that will make your salmon burger absolutely unforgettable! Thinly slice one large red onion into beautiful half-moons that will provide the perfect textural contrast to your soft burger bun and creamy toppings. In a small saucepan, combine half a cup of apple cider vinegar with one tablespoon of honey that will create the most beautiful sweet-tangy balance you’ve ever experienced, along with one teaspoon of salt that will work its brining magic. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, watching as the honey dissolves into the vinegar creating the most aromatic pickling liquid imaginable. Pour this hot liquid over your sliced onions and let them marinate for at least 20 minutes—the transformation from harsh raw onion to sweet, tangy perfection will absolutely amaze you and elevate your burger to gourmet status.
Craft the Fresh Herb Aioli That Tastes Like Summer in a Bowl
Get ready to experience freshness that will transport you straight to a sun-drenched Mediterranean garden with every single bite! In a medium bowl, combine half a cup of thick, creamy Greek yogurt with two tablespoons of freshly chopped dill that releases its incredible aroma the moment your knife touches it. Add one tablespoon of bright, zesty lemon zest that will make your taste buds dance with joy, along with a generous pinch of salt and black pepper to enhance all the beautiful flavors. Whisk this heavenly mixture until it’s perfectly combined and watch as it transforms into the most beautiful pale green sauce flecked with vibrant herbs. The freshness of this aioli will cut through the richness of the salmon in the most spectacular way, creating balance and complexity that will make you feel like a professional chef. Pro tip: Let this aioli rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together into pure perfection.
Fry the Capers to Crispy, Briny Perfection
Prepare for the most incredible textural surprise that will make your salmon burger experience absolutely unforgettable! Take a quarter cup of drained capers and pat them completely dry with paper towels—this crucial step ensures they’ll achieve that perfect crispy texture rather than steaming in the oil. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers beautifully, then carefully add your dried capers to the hot oil. Listen to that satisfying sizzle as they immediately begin to fry and transform before your very eyes! Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become beautifully crispy and slightly darkened, then remove them with a slotted spoon to drain on paper towels. These little flavor bombs will add the most incredible briny pop and satisfying crunch that will make every bite of your salmon burger an adventure in texture and taste you’ll never forget.
Assemble Your Masterpiece Burger Creation
This is the moment of truth where all your hard work comes together to create a culinary masterpiece that will literally change your life! Start with a lightly toasted brioche bun that provides the perfect buttery, slightly sweet foundation for your creation. Spread a generous layer of that incredible avocado lime mixture on the bottom bun, creating a creamy base that will make every bite absolutely luxurious. Place a large, crisp butter lettuce leaf on top, followed by two perfect slices of ripe tomato that add freshness and juiciness to balance all the rich flavors. Add your beautifully cooked salmon patty, then drizzle with that addictive spicy mayo that will make your taste buds sing with joy. Top with a generous spoonful of those quick-pickled red onions that provide the perfect tangy crunch, followed by a dollop of that fresh herb aioli that brings everything together. Finally, scatter those crispy fried capers over everything like edible confetti that adds the final textural surprise, then crown with the top bun and prepare to experience burger perfection.
Tips and Tricks
Prepare to unlock the secrets that will take your salmon burger toppings from great to absolutely legendary status that will have everyone begging for your recipes! When selecting avocados for your spread, look for ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure but aren’t mushy—this ensures perfect creaminess without any unpleasant stringiness. For the quick-pickled onions, don’t skip the honey as it provides the perfect balance to the vinegar’s acidity and helps tenderize the onions while enhancing their natural sweetness in the most magical way. When making your spicy mayo, consider toasting the garlic powder in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding it to the mixture—this simple step unlocks deeper, more complex flavors that will make your sauce absolutely unforgettable. For the herb aioli, if you don’t have fresh dill, you can substitute with fresh tarragon or basil, but avoid dried herbs as they simply won’t provide the same vibrant freshness that makes this topping so special. When frying capers, make sure your oil is properly heated before adding them—test with one caper first; if it sizzles immediately, you’re good to go for the most perfect crispy texture imaginable. For assembly, consider toasting your buns with a light brushing of mayonnaise instead of butter—this creates the most incredible golden-brown crust that provides both flavor and structural integrity to hold all your glorious toppings. If you’re making these toppings ahead of time, store the avocado spread with the pit placed in the container and plastic wrap pressed directly against the surface to prevent oxidation and maintain that beautiful green color. For the pickled onions, they actually improve with time and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, developing even more complex flavors that will make your future burgers even more amazing. When measuring your Sriracha for the spicy mayo, consider your heat tolerance but don’t be too timid—the creaminess of the mayonnaise and richness of the salmon can handle quite a bit of heat without becoming overwhelming. Finally, always assemble your burger just before serving to maintain the perfect textural contrasts that make this creation so absolutely mind-blowing and life-changing with every single bite you take.
Recipe Variations
- Transform your burger into a tropical paradise by replacing the avocado spread with a mango salsa featuring diced ripe mango, finely chopped red bell pepper, minced jalapeño for heat, fresh cilantro, and lime juice that will transport your taste buds to vacation mode with every single glorious bite.
- Create an Asian-inspired masterpiece by swapping the herb aioli with a ginger-scallion sauce made from minced fresh ginger, thinly sliced scallions, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a touch of sesame oil that will add incredible umami depth and aromatic complexity to your salmon burger experience.
- Go Mediterranean by substituting the spicy mayo with a sun-dried tomato pesto blended with basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese that will bring intense savory flavors and beautiful red color to your creation while complementing the salmon’s richness perfectly.
- Embrace coastal flavors by replacing the fried capers with crispy fried oysters or shrimp that add incredible seafood synergy and luxurious texture while elevating your burger to restaurant-worthy status that will impress even the most discerning food critics.
- Create a breakfast-inspired version by adding a perfectly fried egg with a runny yolk that creates the most incredible sauce when broken over your salmon patty, along with crispy bacon pieces and arugula instead of lettuce for peppery freshness that will make morning burgers your new obsession.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these toppings ahead of time for meal prep?
Absolutely, and you’ll be thrilled with how well most of these toppings hold up when prepared in advance! The quick-pickled onions actually improve with time and can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to two full weeks, developing even more complex flavors that will make your burgers even more incredible. The spicy mayo and herb aioli can both be prepared 2-3 days ahead and stored in sealed containers—just give them a good stir before using to reincorporate any separation that might occur. The avocado spread is best made fresh due to oxidation, but you can prepare the ingredients separately and mix them right before assembly. The fried capers can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature—they’ll maintain their crispiness beautifully and be ready to provide that perfect briny crunch when you need them most.
What if I don’t have a food processor for the avocado spread?
Can I substitute Greek yogurt with something else in the herb aioli?
You absolutely can adapt this recipe to your dietary needs while still maintaining that incredible freshness and flavor that makes this topping so special! If you prefer, you can use regular mayonnaise instead of Greek yogurt for a richer, creamier version that will still deliver those beautiful herb flavors beautifully. For a dairy-free option, coconut yogurt works surprisingly well and adds a subtle tropical note that actually complements the salmon beautifully. Sour cream is another excellent substitution that provides similar tanginess while creating an even richer mouthfeel that some people absolutely adore. If you’re watching calories, low-fat mayonnaise or even plain skyr can be used, though the texture might be slightly different. The most important thing is maintaining that fresh herb and lemon flavor profile that makes this aioli so transformative for your salmon burger experience.
How do I prevent my burger buns from getting soggy with all these toppings?
This is such a crucial question because nobody wants a sad, soggy bun ruining their perfect burger creation! The secret lies in creating strategic moisture barriers that protect your bun while still allowing all those incredible flavors to shine through. Always toast your buns—this creates a protective crust that resists moisture much better than soft, untoasted buns. Spread your avocado mixture on the bottom bun first—this creates a creamy seal that prevents juices from the salmon and tomatoes from soaking through. Place your lettuce leaf directly on top of the avocado—the crisp lettuce acts as an additional moisture barrier while adding wonderful crunch. Assemble your burger just before serving rather than letting it sit, and consider using thicker tomato slices that release less liquid. These simple techniques will ensure your bun maintains perfect structural integrity from first glorious bite to last.
What’s the best type of salmon to use for burgers with these toppings?
The salmon choice can absolutely make or break your burger experience, so listen carefully to this crucial advice! Fresh salmon fillets with the skin removed work best because they allow you to control the texture and seasoning perfectly—look for center-cut portions that have even thickness for consistent cooking. Wild-caught salmon tends to have firmer texture and richer flavor that stands up beautifully to these bold toppings, while farm-raised salmon offers more fat content that creates incredible juiciness. Avoid pre-made salmon burgers from the store because they often contain fillers and seasonings that can clash with your carefully crafted toppings. If using frozen salmon, make sure it’s completely thawed and patted very dry to prevent excess moisture that could make your burger fall apart. The key is starting with quality salmon that becomes the perfect canvas for your masterpiece toppings.
Summary
These revolutionary salmon burger toppings will completely transform your culinary world with creamy avocado spread, spicy mayo, quick-pickled onions, fresh herb aioli, and crispy capers creating unforgettable flavor explosions in every single glorious bite that will make ordinary burgers seem utterly boring by comparison. Prepare to become obsessed with creating these masterpieces that balance textures and flavors perfectly while making your salmon burgers absolutely irresistible and life-changing experiences you’ll crave constantly.
