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These salmon patties are flaky, tender and so flavorful. The crisp edges and big bites of flaked salmon are the hallmark of these salmon patties. They are the real deal! It’s no wonder these salmon cakes have been so popular (read the glowing reviews here).
This is an easy and excellent way to use leftover salmon and it is worth it to cook the salmon just for this (instructions below). For busy weeknights, you can substitute with well-drained canned salmon or the salmon in packets which you may already have in your pantry!
I hope you all love these salmon patties and the easy homemade tartar sauce that goes with them.
Watch How to Make Salmon Patties:
These salmon patties are such a treat and even folks who don’t normally like salmon enjoy this recipe. They always disappear fast!
P.S. Serve salmon cakes with this irresistible homemade tartar sauce. P.S. Once you try homemade and realize how easy it is, there’s just no going back to store-bought tartar sauce. It is so much better in every way!
⬇Print-Friendly Salmon Patties Recipe:
Salmon Patties Recipe (VIDEO)
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
These salmon patties are flaky, tender and so flavorful with crisp edges and big bites of flaked salmon. These salmon patties always disappear fast! Serve with homemade tartar sauce!
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Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 30 minutes mins
Total Time: 40 minutes mins
Ingredients
Servings: 14 salmon patties
- 1 lb fresh salmon filet*
- 3 Tbsp Olive oil, divided
- 1 1/2 tsp Garlic salt, I used Lawry's Brand, to taste
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper, or to taste
- 1 medium yellow onion, 1 cup, finely diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup parsley, finely minced
Instructions
Preheat Oven to 425˚F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment or silicone liner. Place salmon in the center, skin-side-down, drizzle with olive oil and season with garlic salt and black pepper. Bake uncovered for 10-15 min (depending on thickness), or just until cooked through. Remove from oven, cover with foil and rest 10 min. Flake salmon with 2 forks discarding skin and any bones then set aside and cool to room temp.
Heat a medium skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1 Tbsp butter. Add diced onion and bell pepper and saute until golden and softened (7-9 minutes) then remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combined flaked salmon, sautéed pepper and onion, 1 cup bread crumbs, 2 beaten eggs, 3 Tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Stir to combine. Form into patties (about a heaping Tablespoonful each) and mold with your hands into 2" wide by 1/3 to 1/2" thick patties.**
In a clean non-stick pan, heat 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter until hot then add salmon patties in a single layer. Saute 3 to 4 min per side or until golden brown and cooked through. If salmon patties brown too fast, reduce heat. Remove finished patties to a paper-towel lined plate and repeat with remaining oil, butter and salmon cakes.
Notes
*Substituting Salmon: If desired, you can substitute the first 4 ingredients listed with 15 oz of well-drained canned salmon or salmon in packets. Leftover salmon from dinner can also be used if available.
**Cook's Tip: If salmon mixture is too dry to hold a patty shape, add an extra tablespoon of mayo and if it is too moist, add more bread crumbs.
Nutrition Per Serving
145kcal Calories4g Carbs8g Protein10g Fat2g Saturated Fat48mg Cholesterol328mg Sodium205mg Potassium345IU Vitamin A7.4mg Vitamin C19mg Calcium0.7mg Iron
- Full Nutrition Label
- Nutrition Disclosure
Nutrition Facts
Salmon Patties Recipe (VIDEO)
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Salmon Patties
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
That pretty blue serving platter can be found here. I have these in different sizes and colors. I love their bold colors and how sturdy and chip resistant Fiestaware is – meant to last a lifetime.
You can serve these for lunch, dinner, appetizers – they are so versatile and these salmon patties can even be used in sandwiches as salmon burgers, just form them a little larger. And if you LOVE salmon recipes, don’t miss our #1 of all time baked salmon recipe!
Q: Have you tried these yet? Let me know what you thought of them in a comment below.
Have a memorable and happy 4th of July!! 🙂 The 4th just happens to be my husbands birthday so if you’re on Instagram that day, feel free to flood his page with happy birthday wishes. Thanks friends!
Natasha Kravchuk
Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.
Read more posts by Natasha
FAQs
Add an egg white to bind and some bread crumbs, mayo and maybe mustard. Mix it all together, form it into patties and dust them with more bread crumbs, then fry.
What can I use as a binder instead of eggs in salmon patties? ›
You can use wheat flour, oat flour or mashed potatoes egg substitute for binder in salmon patties. Replace each egg with 1/3 cup of flour or mashed potato.
How to make canned salmon taste better? ›
Drain a little of the naturally occurring juices (the oily liquid in the can comes solely from the fish itself, there is nothing added but a little salt), then add a little olive oil plus some chopped onion. That really evens the flavor out in a very delicious way.
Why are my salmon patties mushy? ›
Overmixing can break down the structure. Allowing the salmon mixture to rest before shaping the patties is crucial. Cooking the salmon patties at too high a temperature or for too short a time can result in a mushy interior.
Why won't my salmon patties stay together? ›
Balance The Binders With The Moisture
Every salmon patty or cake recipe calls for some combination of binding ingredients. These usually include eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, cracker crumbs, ground flaxseed, and so on. Without these binders, the salmon has nothing to stick to, so you can't form patties.
Can I use mayonnaise instead of eggs as a binder? ›
Much like egg wash acts as a binding agent to help seasonings and breadcrumbs stick to meat, creamy mayonnaise also manages to do the same. Additionally, just like egg wash, mayo can promote browning, thanks to its decadent fat component.
Can I use sour cream as a binder instead of eggs? ›
Sourcream Tip
SOUR CREAM can also be used in place of yoghurt. Since sour cream has a higher fat content it can actually mimic the fats in an egg and make our recipe extra rich and moist. One egg can be replaced by ¼ cup of sour cream. It acts as just the perfect egg substitute!
How do you get the fishy taste out of salmon patties? ›
You can also lessen salmon's strong flavor by soaking it in a milk bath for 20 minutes and then draining it and patting it dry before cooking. The casein in milk binds to the TMA, and when drained away, it takes the culprit that causes fishy odor with it.
What brings out the flavor of salmon? ›
Spices: Dried spices, such as onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin, can add depth of flavor to salmon. Smoked paprika or sweet paprika can add smokiness to the salmon. To add heat, try chili powder, cayenne pepper, jerk seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or Chinese five-spice powder.
Why put vinegar in canned salmon? ›
The bones will soften later by adding vinegar to the processing.
Chefs and home cooks have a few different methods for seasoning salmon before cooking. These are some of the most popular methods. Our favorite spices to use with this type of fish are paprika, chile/chili powder, garlic powder/salt, cumin, onion, and ginger.
How do you know when salmon patties are done? ›
– Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of your burger. When the salmon burger reaches 145 degrees F, it is done. – If you don't have a thermometer, check that your burger is lightly crisp on the outside and that the meat inside is pink and flaky. It should not still look raw.
What to do when salmon patties fall apart? ›
If they seem too wet or too dry during the test, go back and add an extra egg or some more breadcrumbs to the mix, let it sit for a few more minutes, and repeat the process until the cakes stay together.
How to tell if salmon patty is bad? ›
Fresh salmon feels firm and moist, and the flesh should spring back after you push into it. When you run your hand along the fillet to check for bones, your hand should glide easily without sticking. Sure signs of spoilage are slimy or sticky residues, or if the flesh feels like it will break when you press into it.
How to stop salmon from falling apart? ›
Grill salmon flesh side down FIRST, then flip over once.
Place the salmon fillets on the grill flesh side down first (so the skin is facing you). Raw salmon is relatively firm, so starting it off with the flesh facing down is a great way to get some nice grill marks on the salmon without it falling apart.
Why do my salmon burgers fall apart? ›
The key to making salmon patties with staying power has a lot to do with the ingredients you use to bind the mixture, the moisture balance, and the temperature. Patties without enough sticky stuff to hold them together will be frustrating to work with. Ditto for salmon cakes that are too wet or too dry.
How to make fish cakes stay together? ›
A classic choice is breadcrumbs, but you could integrate crushed up crackers, almond flour, or even mashed (or smashed) potatoes into your fish cake mix. Not only will these ingredients help to hold your fish cake together; they'll help to keep your cakes from becoming dense pucks of protein.
Is it normal for salmon to fall apart? ›
Press your finger into the meat to check the raw salmon's consistency. If the fish holds together and springs back to its original shape, then it's okay to cook the meat. However, if the meat easily mushes or breaks apart when you handle it, throw it away. Inspect the salmon's eyes for cloudy discoloration.
