Salmon Patties – quick to prepare, golden and crispy on the outside, moist and savoury on the inside with lovely big flakes of salmon! A very easy salmon cakes recipe that can be made with either canned salmon OR fresh salmon. These are Can’t-Stop-Eating-Them good!
This canned salmon recipe will make you realise you CAN make incredible dishes using canned fish!
Salmon Patties
Good quality fresh salmon is not cheap. So if I buy fresh salmon, I like to cook it whole rather than mixing it up with other ingredients for things like salmon patties. My go-to quick salmon fillet recipes are Honey Garlic Salmon and Lemon Glazed Salmon 🙂
So I’ve always used canned salmon to make salmon cakes.
But one bite of these Salmon Patties, and any thought of compromising by using canned salmon instead of fresh will fly out the window. These taste SO GOOD!! Serve these up to anyone who has wrinkled their nose in distaste at the thought of canned salmon, and I bet you’ll change their mind.
These salmon cakes are SO GOOD whether made with canned salmon OR fresh salmon!
They’re moreish, beautifully seasoned, juicy and tender, studded with flakes of salmon, and a hint of herby freshness from dill.
These are so tasty, I’d proudly serve them up as an appetiser at a gathering! (And to all my friends reading this, don’t be surprised if that happens the next time you come over!)
BAKED Salmon Patties!
These babies are so golden and crispy on the outside, it’s almost hard to believe they’re baked. But they are, they really are.
The trick to the golden crust is to preheat the tray. This makes a difference when baking things that are low in fat, like these salmon patties.
This canned salmon recipe will make you realise you CAN make incredibly delicious food using canned fish!
Making Salmon Patties
The mixture for the Salmon Patties is pretty straight forward. I start with my usual trick to make extra tender, extra tasty patties / meatballs – grating onion over breadcrumbs. This serves two purposes –
the onion juices soaks the breadcrumbs which then expand while cooking, creating little air pockets which makes the patties more tender; and
avoids the need to precook the onion, which you have to do if you use chopped onion otherwise you end up with raw bits of onion in the patties.
Then toss in egg to bind it, parmesan for umami (food nerd word for savouriness, the 5th taste sensation), shallots / green onions / scallions (global food language inconsistencies = 🤯), garlic, dill (or other herb, dried or fresh) and canned salmon.
Give it a mix, and this is what you end up with. I know the mixture looks loose and you wonder how on earth the patties will hold together, but they do, they really do.
The egg in this recipe keeps the salmon patties from falling apart while cooking. Also, because these are baked rather than pan fried, they are handled less so this also helps.
I’ve never had Salmon Patties fall apart on me.
How to Serve Salmon Patties
As a meal – try a side of Yoghurt Slaw and Cauliflower Puree (low carb!), I’ve popped these recipes in the notes. You get freshness from the Yoghurt Slaw and low-carb creaminess from the Cauliflower Puree that’s made for smearing over each bite of the Salmon Patties.
Starter – pile onto platters with dipping sauce and pass around to share!
Burgers – make giant ones and make salmon burgers
Super tasty dinner, made from a can of salmon. Who would have though, eh?? ❤️ – Nagi x
PS You can, of course, make this with fresh salmon if you happen to be blessed with an abundant supply of them. Tell me all about it, and make me green with envy.
More patties and fritters (I love them!)
Salmon Patties recipe
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Salmon Patties
Ingredients
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs (Note 1 for subs)
- 1 small onion (or 1/2 large), grated
- 1 garlic clove , finely minced
- 400 g/ 14 oz cooked fresh salmon OR canned red or pink salmon , drained (Note 2)
- 2 shallots / scallions / green onions , finely sliced
- 1/3 cup fresh dill , roughly chopped (or 1 tsp dried herbs of choice)
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup parmesan , grated or shredded
- 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
Cooking:
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220C/430F standard (200C fan)
- Place breadcrumbs in a bowl. Grate over onion, including juices. Mix onion into breadcrumbs, ensuring all breadcrumbs are soaked. (Note 3)
- Add remaining ingredients except salmon. Mix well.
- Add salmon. Stir through gently, leaving flakes of salmon (rather than vigorously mixing salmon into tiny pieces).
- Scoop up 1/4 cup mixture (level, packed standard ice cream scoop, see Video). Form round patties about 1.5 cm/ 2/3″ thick and set aside.
- Drizzle oil all over tray. Place in oven for 2 minutes until hot – oil will spread over tray. Tilt tray to spread if needed.
- Place patties on tray – DO NOT press down (makes them stick on tray). Spray surface with oil spray.
- Bake 15 minutes. Flip, spray surface with oil spray, bake 5 minutes.
- Serve with sour cream or yoghurt on the side for dipping / dolloping, and extra fresh dill if desired.
- I served mine with cauliflower puree and Yoghurt Slaw – healthy side options! (Note 3)
Recipe Notes:
- Low carb – 1 cup of raw cauliflower rice
- Guten free – 1 cup crushed rice crackers or almond meal in place of the breadcrumbs.
Nutrition Information:
Salmon Patties originally published February 2019, updated for housekeeping matters in March 2019. No change to recipe.
LIFE OF DOZER
In my pre-Dozer life, I was hooning around in a little 2 seater convertible. I had to give up my little zippy car not only because he grew out of it, but also because he didn’t like the wind in his eyes.🙄
So I reluctantly upsized to a 4WD. Then he grew even more – his head smooshes on the ceiling of the car, smearing it with filth.
I am not getting another damn car for this damn dog. 😖
These were so delicious and easy to make. My son loved them so much he asked for leftovers! I substituted the Panko with gluten-free rice crackers & used dried mixed herbs as I couldn’t find any dill in the store. Have saved this recipe and will definitely make them again. Thanks!
Awesome Heidi, I’m so glad they were a hit!
Love Love the salmon cakes !!!
i laughed reading your “catch-up” as i can relate to it… be thinking of you and Dozer moving in at christmas, im in N.Z. with my extended family for 10days… loved the pics of Dozer i can relate, we also live with our 2 dogs at the beach, wet sand, dirt etc etc. you know you could get him a pair of doggy sunnies …. cheers, Vonny.
Don’t tempt me Vonny, I’ll do it 😂
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ALTERNATIVES. I NEVER HAVE ALL THE INGREDS. FOR RECIPES, FRESH DILL ECT. AND WE ALL KNOW DOZER IS THE BOSS.
You’re so welcome Mary!
My daughter’s favorite meal as a child was salmon patties with box mac n cheese and buttered beets. These days we have graduated to real mac n cheese. I always fried. Can’t wait to try these and I just happen to have a can of salmon in my pantry.
I hope they live up to her standards Nancy!
Yummo! When I first flipped these I thought I’d done something wrong because they seemed like they might all fall apart. But lo and behold, when I opened the oven after the full cooking time, they were crispy and perfect! These were a hit – we usually make them with mashed potato inside and breadcrumbs on the outside, so it was lovely to try something different. Served with roast veg because it’s a chilly day here in Melbourne, and sour cream mixed with chopped spring onions and dill. Big thumbs up!
YES! That’s awesome Bree!
Hi Nagi, I just prepared the mixture for these, and plan to use it in around 10 hours. Will these still be ok?! I noticed that my mixture is not as dry in appearance as yours (perhaps too big an onion)- should I add more panko? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I love your recipes. Alex
You don’t need a new car for Dozer. Just make him wear a hat when he rides (not a flat cap, though). 😉
I love this 😂
A great recipe with lovely flavours. Patties held shape well. Also made the cauliflower purée and the coleslaw and the dressings. A fresh and healthy meal which I will make again.
Sounds amazing Sharon!
Is there anything i can use to replace the egg?
Hi Diseree, the egg binds it in this case, I haven’t tried with any egg substitutes sorry!
First patties in ALL MY LIFE that haven’t fallen apart! And they taste brilliant too – and even my husband who HATES fish loves them. A total winner! I’m never looking for another salmon patty recipe ever again!
You’ve converted him Linda!! That’s the BEST! – N x
If you could see me, I’m doing my happy dance! Was a total hit with my family and fussy kids! Served it up as suggested with yoghurt slaw and cauliflower mash and a few greens!!! Thank you thank you! I love your recipes! 💐😁
You’re so welcome Mike!!
Absolutely the ultimate very best salmon patties that I have made or eaten. 110%
Wahoo! Thanks for letting me know Christine!
So easy to make and sooooo tasty. I was hoping my hubby & son would not like these…so I could have a stash for lunches. No such luck. They are gone in a day! Thank you Nagi!
😂 That’s great Donna, you’ll have to make a double batch next time!
That’s so great to hear Cheryl!
This recipe is soooo good! Salmon cakes are delicious but can be hard to get right…this recipe makes it easy. When they were done I poked holes in the patties and drizzled fresh lemon juice on them too!
Sounds like you nailed it Alicia!!
Can you freeze them?
Sure can Elsa!
I live in the UK and we don’t often use cups as measures – so should I use American cup or UK cup measures? I love your recipes and want to make sure I’m using the right quantities. Thanks
My response to your article about Dozer…It must be love!!
🙂
Looking forward to trying these! My only question is when do you press them down into patties? The directions say not to do that on the pan before baking.
Hi Christel, just press them into patties before putting on the tray (don’t do it on the tray or they will stick) – N x
I love your recipes and I LOVE your dog!
Thanks so much Carole!!