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 –
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the onion juices soaks the breadcrumbs which then expand while cooking, creating little air pockets which makes the patties more tender; and
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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
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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.
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Starter – pile onto platters with dipping sauce and pass around to share!
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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. 😖
Bree says
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!
Nagi says
YES! That’s awesome Bree!
Alex says
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
Caddy Daddy says
You don’t need a new car for Dozer. Just make him wear a hat when he rides (not a flat cap, though). 😉
Nagi says
I love this 😂
Sharon says
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.
Nagi says
Sounds amazing Sharon!
Diseree says
Is there anything i can use to replace the egg?
Nagi says
Hi Diseree, the egg binds it in this case, I haven’t tried with any egg substitutes sorry!
Linda says
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!
Nagi says
You’ve converted him Linda!! That’s the BEST! – N x
Kylie says
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! 💐😁
Nagi says
You’re so welcome Mike!!
Christine Tanks says
Absolutely the ultimate very best salmon patties that I have made or eaten. 110%
Nagi says
Wahoo! Thanks for letting me know Christine!
Donna says
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!
Nagi says
😂 That’s great Donna, you’ll have to make a double batch next time!
Nagi says
That’s so great to hear Cheryl!
Alicia says
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!
Nagi says
Sounds like you nailed it Alicia!!
Elsa says
Can you freeze them?
Nagi says
Sure can Elsa!
Gabriella Alberici says
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
Mary Seltzer says
My response to your article about Dozer…It must be love!!
Nagi says
🙂
Christel says
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.
Nagi says
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
Carole Coushaine says
I love your recipes and I LOVE your dog!
Nagi says
Thanks so much Carole!!
Michele T says
Made these tonite with canned salmon. No parmesan, added 2Tbs Dijon instead. Never been a fan of canned fish other than for sandwiched. These were so tasty! Both kids & I loved them! So much so, that I plan on making these regularly. Even as a snack. Thank you Nagi. I’ve made approx 40 of ur recipes & loved them all.
Nagi says
That’s so great to hear Michele, you can freeze these too for an emergency meal – N x
Donna says
These were a dream. So easy. First time I have used a salmon patties recipe without potatoes and never again. Perfect!!
Nagi says
I’m so glad you loved them Donna!
Anne says
I think there’s a mistake with the oven temps on this recipe. 390C is 734F!
Just use C there’s no need to continue using an anachronistic system.
Nagi says
Oops! Put C instead of F!!😂
Maria says
Thanks so much for your salmon patties recipe. Didn’t have any panko breadcrumbs so used almond meal instead. Doubled the recipe and used 1 tin of pink salmon and a couple of pieces of cooked salmon pieces. 6 people tried them and said they were the best!!
Nagi says
That’s awesome Maria!