Recipe for Homemade Salmon Burgers 

by Noor H. Salem, Certified Holistic Health Coach

As fall kicks in, you might wrap up the season of nice weather with a few more barbeques or family gatherings, with social distancing precaution. Burgers are a typical food you would probably find at every barbeque, as well as on many restaurant menus. Perhaps you make them on a skillet for a quick family dinner too. Unfortunately, though, burgers generally are a menu item that can come along with plenty of unwarranted ingredients. Although there may be a scarce number of restaurants that now serve grass-fed and organic burgers, they are the exception, not rule. For that, be cautious of what you choose to eat, and recognize that the food you eat will eventually impact your physical and mental well-being in various ways down the road.

Instead of making the usual beef burger at your next barbeque, try these salmon burgers instead. Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which unfortunately most people lack in their diets today. It’s an excellent source of healthy fats, with cardiovascular and cognitive health benefits. Importantly, make sure your salmon is wild-caught, to ensure you’re not getting the genetically engineered feed traces from the farm raised.  

These scrumptious burgers are loaded with vegetables and bursting with flavor due to the fresh garlic and onions. Atop being extremely flavorful and satisfying, these patties contain natural anti-bacterial properties, anti-inflammatory properties, protein, and numerous vitamins and minerals. The tahini dressing adds a juicy touch to them, and an additional boost of vitamins and macronutrients, such as vitamin B5, B15, B3, vitamin E, calcium, methionine, and magnesium. Tahini is a paste made of ground sesame seeds, which are an incredible seed to include in your meals more often. Tahini is very high in heart health benefits and carries unique amino acids that could enhance your health. Furthermore, it helps regulate high blood pressure level and cholesterol, while balancing your hormones as well. Add fresh garlic and lemon juice to the dressing, and you have an abundant health dressing loaded with vitamin C, natural anti-bacterial properties, protein, and vital nutrients. Undoubtedly, this dressing is incomparable to store-bought dressings, that come along with genetically engineered oils, excessive amounts of refined salt, a myriad of unpronounceable chemicals, and health-detrimental preservatives. 

Have a theme of a seafood barbeque instead of the usual beef and chicken. Serve these patties aside organic basmati brown rice, on a bun, with grilled vegetables, or atop a bed of leafy greens. Drizzle it with the tahini dressing to enhance the flavor and health benefits as well. Feel free to add other vegetables or spices of your preference.  

Ingredients:

Salmon Burgers:

• 3 pounds boneless salmon, wild-caught (fresh)
• 1 small red onion 
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled 
• ¼ cup diced red bell pepper
• ¼ cup diced green bell pepper 
• 1/8 cup organic corn, cooked 
• ½ bunch parsley, washed and dried 
• 1 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard seed
• 1 teaspoon dill 
• ½ teaspoon cumin 

Tahini-Garlic Dressing:

• ¼ cup tahini (ground sesame paste)
• 1/8 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 
• ¼ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (garnish) 

Directions:

1. Place the salmon, onion, garlic, parsley, and spices in a food processor and pulse until well incorporated. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
2. Add the bell peppers and corn. Mix well. 
3. Mold into round patties. Grill the patties for about 5 minutes on each side. If cooking indoors: Heat a skillet on medium-high, and begin cooking the patties, about 4-5 minutes on each side. [If you prefer to use oil for grilling, opt for cold-pressed avocado oil.]
4. For the dressing ingredients, mix the tahini and lemon juice in a small mixing bowl. Add in remaining ingredients and stir. 
5. Serve immediately for optimum taste. Enjoy! 

Noor H. Salem is an author, speaker, and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, from Michigan. Noor works with clients in better understanding their bodies and healing with natural foods through her wellness practice, Holistic Noortrition. She presents various workshops, school lectures, group coaching classes, and community lectures on the topic of holistic health. Noor recently published her book, SUNNAH SUPERFOODS, a culmination of life-changing recipes and remedies, with a foreword by Dr. Waleed Basyouni. Her book consists of prophetic hadith, modern research, and delicious recipes, and is in the process of being translated into other language.