This salmon patties recipe has been saving weeknight dinners in my family for three generations. What started as my grandmother's way to stretch a can of salmon into a full meal became the recipe my kids ask for most often. These aren't your typical fish cakes - they're crispy on the outside, tender and flaky inside, with just the right balance of seasoning that makes them disappear from the plate in minutes.
Why This Salmon Patties Recipe Works
From years of making these for busy weeknight dinners, here's what makes this recipe a family favorite. These homemade salmon patties deliver everything you want in comfort food - they're budget-friendly, come together in minutes, and use ingredients you probably already have. Unlike those fancy fish cakes that need special ingredients, this recipe relies on simple pantry staples to create something really good.
The magic happens in the balance. The salmon stays flaky and moist while the outside gets perfectly crispy. Emma loves helping me shape these because they're forgiving - even if they're not perfectly round, they taste great. Plus, they're one of those rare dishes that work equally well for a quick Tuesday dinner or when company drops by unexpectedly.
Jump to:
- Why This Salmon Patties Recipe Works
- Ingredients for Salmon Patties Recipe
- How To Make Salmon Patties Recipe Step By Step
- Smart Swaps for Your Salmon Patties Recipe
- Equipment For Salmon Patties Recipe
- Salmon Patties Recipe Variations
- Storage Tips
- Storing Your Salmon Patties
- What to Serve With Salmon Patties Recipe
- Top Tip
- The Secret Sauce My Neighbor Knows (But Won't Share)
- FAQ
- Time to Make Some Magic!
- Related
- Pairing
- Salmon Patties Recipe
Ingredients for Salmon Patties Recipe
The Foundation:
- Canned salmon
- Fresh breadcrumbs or crackers
- Large eggs
- Yellow onion
- Fresh garlic
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
The Flavor Team:
- Old Bay seasoning
- Black pepper
- Fresh lemon juice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Hot sauce
- Fresh parsley
For Cooking:
- Extra lemon wedges for serving
- Vegetable oil or butter
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Salmon Patties Recipe Step By Step
Prep Work:
- Drain salmon thoroughly
- Remove skin and bones
- Flake gently with fork
- Dice onion finely
- Mince garlic
Mix the Base:
- Combine flaked salmon in bowl
- Add diced onion and garlic
- Mix in breadcrumbs
- Crack in eggs
- Add mayo and mustard
Season Right:
- Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning
- Add black pepper
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice
- Dash of Worcestershire
- Fold gently together
Shape and Cook:
- Drain on paper towels
- Form into 6-8 patties
- Heat oil in skillet
- Cook 3-4 minutes per side
- Look for golden brown color
Smart Swaps for Your Salmon Patties Recipe
Salmon Options:
- Canned → Fresh cooked salmon
- Pink salmon → Red salmon
- Regular → Low-sodium canned
- Standard → Pouched salmon
Binding Choices:
- Breadcrumbs → Crushed crackers
- Fresh → Panko breadcrumbs
- Regular → Gluten-free crumbs
- Standard → Crushed cornflakes
Egg Alternatives:
- Whole eggs → Egg whites only
- Regular → Flax eggs
- Chicken → Duck eggs
- Fresh → Egg substitute
Flavor Swaps:
- Fresh herbs → Dried herbs
- Old Bay → Cajun seasoning
- Mayo → Greek yogurt
- Dijon → Yellow mustard
Equipment For Salmon Patties Recipe
- Large mixing bowl
- Cast iron skillet (or heavy pan)
- Wide spatula for flipping
- Fork for flaking
- Sharp knife
Salmon Patties Recipe Variations
Southern Style:
- Add diced bell pepper
- Cajun seasoning mix
- Green onions
- Touch of hot sauce
Mediterranean:
- Fresh dill and parsley
- Lemon zest
- Capers
- Feta cheese crumbles
Asian-Inspired:
- Ginger and garlic
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Green onions
Comfort Classic:
- Sweet corn kernels
- Cheddar cheese
- Chives
- Paprika
Storage Tips
Storing Your Salmon Patties
Fridge Storage (3 days):
- Cool completely first
- Store in airtight container
- Layer with parchment paper
- Reheat in skillet with little oil
Freezer Storage (2 months):
- Freeze on baking sheet first
- Transfer to freezer bags
- Label with date
- Thaw overnight before reheating
Make-Ahead Tips:
- Mix ingredients night before
- Shape patties and refrigerate
- Cook fresh when ready
- Holds shape better when chilled
What to Serve With Salmon Patties Recipe
From years of family dinners, I've learned that salmon patties work with almost any side dish you can think of. For classic comfort food nights, we love them with creamy mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or a simple coleslaw that cuts through the richness. When I want something lighter, a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus balance things out nicely. Southern-style sides like black-eyed peas, cornbread, or sweet potato fries turn this into a real comfort meal.
On busy weeknights when I need something quick, rice pilaf or frozen mixed vegetables work just fine. The kids always ask for dinner rolls on the side, and I've learned to keep some fruit salad ready because it pairs surprisingly well. Emma's favorite combination is salmon patties with mac and cheese and a side of applesauce - sounds strange but somehow it all works together perfectly.
Top Tip
- The key to salmon patties that don't fall apart is getting the moisture balance just right - drain your salmon thoroughly and pat it dry with paper towels before mixing. If your mixture seems too wet after combining everything, resist the urge to add more egg, which will only make things worse. Instead, sprinkle in a few more breadcrumbs or crushed crackers until the mixture holds together when you squeeze it gently in your hand.
- Another trick I've learned over the years is to let the shaped patties rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This gives the breadcrumbs time to absorb any remaining moisture and helps everything bind together properly. When you're ready to cook, don't flip them too early - let that first side get golden and crispy before turning, which creates a crust that helps hold everything together.
The Secret Sauce My Neighbor Knows (But Won't Share)
My neighbor makes the most incredible salmon patties I've ever tasted, and for years she kept her secret locked up tight. Every time I asked what made hers so special, she'd just smile and say "family recipe, dear." It wasn't until her granddaughter spilled the beans during a backyard barbecue that I learned her trick - she adds a tablespoon of pickle juice to the salmon mixture. Sounds crazy, but that tangy kick makes all the difference.
But there's more to her magic. My neighbor also mixes in a tiny bit of cream cheese - just enough to make the patties extra creamy without changing the flavor. She swears by letting the mixture sit in the fridge for at least an hour before cooking, which she says helps everything come together. Now when I make this salmon patties recipe with her tweaks, even my pickiest eaters go back for seconds. Sometimes the best cooking secrets come from the most unexpected places.
FAQ
What is the best seasoning for Salmon Patties Recipe?
Old Bay seasoning is my go-to choice for salmon patties because it has the right blend of herbs and spices that work well with fish. You can also use Cajun seasoning, garlic powder with paprika, or even just salt and pepper with fresh herbs like dill or parsley.
What are the ingredients in salmon cakes?
Basic salmon cakes contain canned salmon, eggs, breadcrumbs or crackers, onion, and seasonings. Many recipes also include mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, and herbs. Some variations add bell peppers, celery, or cheese for extra flavor and texture.
What to use to keep Salmon Patties Recipe from falling apart?
Eggs and breadcrumbs are key for binding salmon patties together. Make sure to drain the salmon well, don't overmix the ingredients, and let the mixture rest for 10 minutes before shaping. Chilling the formed patties for 30 minutes also helps them hold together during cooking.
Do you put mayo in Salmon Patties Recipe?
Yes, many salmon patty recipes include mayonnaise because it adds moisture and helps bind the ingredients. You typically need just 2-3 tablespoons for a batch. You can substitute with Greek yogurt or leave it out if you prefer, but mayo does help create tender, moist patties.
Time to Make Some Magic!
Now you have all the secrets to creating great salmon patties - from the basic technique to my neighbor's sneaky pickle juice trick. This old fashioned salmon patties recipe proves that some of the best comfort foods come from simple ingredients and a little kitchen know-how.
Craving more comforting classics? Try our Easy Jambalaya Recipe that brings New Orleans flavor to your table, or whip up our Best Tomato Pie Recipe when garden tomatoes are at their peak. For chilly nights, our Easy Potato Soup Recipe delivers creamy warmth in every spoonful!
Can’t wait to see how your salmon patties turn out Loved this recipe? Drop us a five‑star review and become part of our foodie family!
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Pairing
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Salmon Patties Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Cast iron skillet (Or heavy nonstick pan)
- 1 Wide spatula (For flipping patties)
- 1 Fork (For flaking salmon)
- 1 Sharp knife (For dicing onion)
- Paper towels (For draining patties)
Ingredients
- 2 cans Canned salmon (14.75 oz) - Drained, skin and bones removed
- 1 cup Fresh breadcrumbs - Or crushed crackers
- 2 large Eggs - Beaten
- ½ cup Yellow onion - Finely diced
- 2 cloves Garlic - Minced
- 2 tablespoon Mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice - Freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2–3 dashes Hot sauce - to taste Optional
- 2 tablespoon Fresh parsley - Chopped
- 2 tablespoon Vegetable oil or butter - For frying
Instructions
- Drain and remove skin/bones, then flake salmon with a fork into a bowl.
- Combine flaked salmon, breadcrumbs, eggs, mayonnaise, and mustard evenly.
- Fold in Old Bay, pepper, lemon juice, Worcestershire, hot sauce, and parsley.
- Shape mixture into patties and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Pan‑fry patties in oil until golden, crispy, and cooked through.
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