Salmon Patties also known as Salmon Cakes, are a delicious seafood dish that is both simple to make and packed with flavor. Typically made using salmon, eggs, breadcrumbs, and basic seasonings and aromatics, these patties are one of the best fish recipes available. They can be served for both lunch and dinner as a main course with salads and roasted and baked vegetables or as appetizers with sauces.
The recipe I am sharing with you today provides easy step-by-step instructions for making Salmon Patties that you can try and enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Additionally, I have included a detailed video to help make the cooking process even more clear and visually appealing.
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What are Salmon Patties?
Salmon Patties(cakes) are a flavorful and crispy seafood dish made from a blend of salmon, breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings. This delicious seafood patty is often pan-fried until golden brown, resulting in a crispy exterior with a moist and tender interior. These Salmon Patties are one of the best salmon recipes that are served as a main course alongside a side of vegetables or a salad. They pair well with tartar sauce, lemon wedges, or aioli for dipping.
The origin of Salmon Patties can be traced back to the early 20th century in the United States. Due to its popularity and affordability, canned salmon became a staple ingredient in many households during the Great Depression. Salmon Patties quickly became a go-to meal for families looking for a quick, easy dinner option.
Today, Salmon Patties are still popular due to their versatility, ease of preparation, and delicious taste. They are a great meal for any seafood lover looking for a quick and easy lunch or dinner option. Not only that it pairs well with homemade sauces, roasted and baked vegetables, or simple salads. And the best part is it comes under in 30 minutes.
Overall, Salmon Patties are a tasty and easy dish that is perfect for families. This simple recipe can be made with just a few ingredients and is a great way to add seafood to your diet. The crispy exterior and tender interior make for a delicious bite, while the affordability and ease of preparation make it an excellent option for any day of the week. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or an easy dinner, Salmon Patties are a dish worth trying.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The ingredients you will need to make Salmon Patties are basic pantry ingredients and some fresh produce. These ingredients are available in most grocery stores around you. Let's see what they are below.
- Salmon (fresh or canned): I have used fresh salmon here but feel free to use canned salmon if that's handy for you
- Onion: provides a sweet and slightly pungent flavor to the patties. You can use shallots or scallions as a substitute.
- Bell pepper: adds a sweet, tangy flavor to the patties. You can use other types of peppers such as jalapeño or poblano as a substitute.
- Seasoning powders: Basic seasonings such as garlic powder, black pepper, or paprika. These spices add a savory, slightly spicy flavor to the patties. You can adjust the amounts to your taste preferences
- Lemon juice: Delivers a bright, tangy flavor to the patties. You can use lime juice as a substitute
- Coriander leaves (also known as cilantro): For a fresh, citrusy flavor to the patties. You can use parsley or dill as a substitute
- Oil: I have used olive oil for frying the patties. You can use any neutral oil such as canola or vegetable oil as a substitute
- Egg: It acts as a binder for the patties and adds moisture
- Panko Breadcrumbs: It adds texture and helps hold the patties together. You can use crushed crackers or regular breadcrumbs as a substitute
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Salmon Patties or Cakes at Home?
The recipe I have shared here is Salmon Patties, a flavor-loaded seafood dish that has a crispy exterior and soft interior. Made with fresh salmon and a variety of flavorful ingredients, these patties are perfect for any seafood lover looking for a quick and satisfying meal.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
Fry the Salmon Fillet
- Season the Fish - Season the salmon fillets with salt and black pepper on both sides. You can also add other herbs or spices, such as garlic powder or dried thyme
- Fry the Salmon - Heat a pan over medium heat and add enough cooking oil to cover the bottom of the pan. When the oil is hot, carefully place the salmon fillets in the pan, skin-side down if you're using skin-on fillets. Fry the salmon for about 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until it is fully cooked and flakes easily with a fork
- Remove the Skin - Remove the salmon fillets from the pan and place them on a plate or cutting board. If you're using skin-on fillets, carefully remove the skin using a knife or a pair of tongs
- Flake the Salmon - Using a fork, gently flake the cooked salmon into small pieces. Try to remove any bones or cartilage that you may come across
Note: Skip this step, if you are using canned salmon.
Make Salmon Patties(Cakes)
- Add the Ingredients - In a large mixing bowl, combine the flaked salmon, diced onion, diced bell pepper, chopped coriander leaves, paprika, black pepper, salt, lemon juice, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. Mix everything until well combined
- Shape into Patties - Take a small portion of the salmon mixture, about 2-3 tablespoons, and shape it into a patty using your hands. Repeat the process until you have used up all the mixture
- Fry the Patties - In a pan with medium heat, pour oil and heat the oil. When the oil is hot, carefully place the salmon patties in the pan, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the patties on each side for about 3-4 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy
- Remove - Once the salmon patties are cooked, remove them from the pan and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Now these delicious Salmon Patties are ready for you to taste and enjoy
Why is my Salmon Patties falling apart?
If your Salmon Patties are falling apart, it could be due to a few reasons:
- Overmixing: Overmixing the ingredients can cause the patties to become too soft and fall apart easily. To avoid this, mix the ingredients until they are just combined
- Too much moisture: If there is too much moisture in the mixture, the patties can become too soft and break apart when cooking. This can happen if the salmon is not drained well or if there is too much liquid added to the mixture. Be sure to drain the salmon well and only add enough liquid to make the mixture hold together, especially when using canned salmon
- Not enough binding agent: The binding agent, such as breadcrumbs or eggs, is what helps hold the patties together. If there isn't enough binding agent in the mixture, the patties can fall apart. Try adding more breadcrumbs or another egg to the mixture to help bind the ingredients together
- Not letting the patties rest: Allowing the patties to rest for a few minutes before cooking can help them hold together better. This allows the breadcrumbs to absorb some of the moisture and helps the patties set
Tips
- Salmon - This salmon patty recipe can be made using either fresh or canned salmon, depending on what you have on hand. While fresh salmon tends to have a milder fishy aroma than canned salmon, either option will work for this recipe
- Cooking Salmon - You can cook the salmon using a variety of methods, such as baking, air frying, pan searing, or pan frying, depending on your preference
- Seasonings - The seasonings used in this recipe are basic, but you can try experimenting with different spices to add your preferred flavor profile. Adjust the spice level according to your taste preferences
- Crispy Exterior - To create a crispy exterior on your salmon patties, consider adding panko breadcrumbs to the salmon mixture. If you don't have panko breadcrumbs, you can use crushed salted crackers or cornflakes as a substitute
- Frying - You can either deep fry or pan fry the patties, but pan frying is recommended to minimize oil consumption
- Shaping - If the salmon mixture is too moist to shape into patties, simply add more breadcrumbs to help bind it together
Storage Suggestions
These salmon patties taste great whether served warm or cold, and they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Serving Suggestions
Salmon Patties or cakes can be served with a variety of side dishes, depending on your preference. Take a look at the exclusive collection of side dishes for Salmon featured in this blog. I've also provided a few options below for your reference.
- Salad: Serve the salmon patties with a simple green salad or a Caesar salad for a refreshing and healthy side dish
- Roasted or Baked Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or asparagus pair well with Salmon Patties
- Potatoes: Serve the salmon patties with mashed, baked, or roasted potatoes for a hearty and filling meal
- Rice or Quinoa: Cook up a batch of rice dishes such as white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, basmati rice, or quinoa and serve it alongside the salmon patties
- Coleslaw: A crunchy coleslaw or slaw made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a tangy dressing can be a great compliment
- Sauces: You can also serve the Salmon Patties with homemade sauces like tartar sauce, chili sauce, sweet chili sauce, or aioli for an extra burst of flavor
Related Recipes
You could also find similar recipes below and more at salmon recipes and appetizer recipes.
Salmon Patties Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Salmon Patties Recipe below that I hope will help you to make a delicious meal at home. You can also find this recipe in story format.
📖 Recipe
Salmon Patties (Salmon Cakes)
Ingredients
- 1 lb Salmon Fillet, or 15 oz canned salmon
- 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper, ½ tsp for seasoning salmon + ½ tsp for patty mix
- ½ tsp Salt, for seasoning + as needed for patty mix
- 2 tsp Oil, for frying salmon + as needed for pan frying patties
- ¼ cup Onion, chopped
- ¼ cup Green Bell Pepper, chopped
- 3 tbsp Coriander Leaves, chopped
- 2 Eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumb
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Paprika, or ½ tsp Chili powder (if you prefer heat)
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
Instructions
To fry Salmon Fillet(skip this step if using canned salmon)
- Begin by seasoning Salmon with black pepper and salt
- Heat a pan over medium heat, and add oil. Fry the salmon for about 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until it is fully cooked and flakes easily with a fork
- Once the salmon is cooked, remove the fillets from the pan and remove the skin. Alternatively, you can use skinless salmon fillets. Using a fork, flake the salmon. Try to remove any bones or cartilage that you may come across
To make the Salmon Patties
- Start by adding the flaked salmon, onion, bell pepper, coriander leaves, black pepper, salt, lemon juice, paprika, eggs, and panko breadcrumbs to a large bowl. Mix everything well and rest for a few minutes if you are not on a time crunch
- Next, take a small portion of the salmon breadcrumb mixture and shape it into a patty. Repeat the process until all the mixture has been used. To make even-sized patties, you can also use a ice cream scoop to take the desired amount of the mixture
- In a pan with medium heat, pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil and place the salmon patties without overcrowding the pan
- Fry the Patties for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until both sides turn golden brown.
- Remove the Salmon Patties from the oil and they are now ready to be served
To Serve
- You can serve these Salmon Patties with homemade sauces such as tartar sauce, chili sauce, sweet chili sauce, mayo, or ranch. Additionally, you can also serve them with roasted vegetables like roasted green beans, roasted cauliflower, roasted potatoes, roasted broccoli, or with a simple salad of your choice
Video
Notes
- Salmon - This salmon patty recipe can be made using either fresh or canned salmon, depending on what you have on hand. While fresh salmon tends to have a milder fishy aroma than canned salmon, either option will work for this recipe
- Cooking Salmon - You can cook the salmon using a variety of methods, such as baking, air frying, pan searing, or pan frying, depending on your preference
- Seasonings - The seasonings used in this recipe are basic, but you can try experimenting with different spices to add your preferred flavor profile. Adjust the spice level according to your taste preferences
- Crispy Exterior - To create a crispy exterior on your salmon patties, consider adding panko breadcrumbs to the salmon mixture. If you don't have panko breadcrumbs, you can use crushed salted crackers or cornflakes as a substitute
- Frying - You can either deep fry or pan fry the patties, but pan frying is recommended to minimize oil consumption
- Shaping - If the salmon mixture is too moist to shape into patties, simply add more breadcrumbs to help bind it together
Nutrition
FAQ
Salmon Patties, also known as Salmon Cakes, are a dish made with cooked or canned salmon, mixed with eggs, breadcrumbs, and various seasonings and aromatics, shaped into patties and then pan-fried until golden brown. They are a popular seafood dish that is both delicious and easy to make. Salmon Patties can be served as a main course with sides like salads or roasted vegetables, or as appetizers with sauces. They are versatile dishes that can be enjoyed in many different ways.
Salmon Patties are made with salmon, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, shaped into patties, and pan-fried. Croquettes are made with meat or seafood, potatoes, and bechamel sauce, shaped into balls or cylinders, breaded, and fried. Salmon Patties are simpler and quicker to make than Croquettes and have a different texture and flavor due to the absence of potatoes and bechamel sauce.
Salmon patties can be served with sides like roasted vegetables, salad, rice, quinoa, or mashed potatoes. Adding a sauce can enhance the flavor of the patties, with options like tartar sauce, lemon dill sauce, or aioli. These sides and sauces can complement the dish and provide a well-rounded meal.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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