Salmon Patties Recipe [Video]

Name: Salmon Patties
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 lb salmon (cooked and flaked); 1/2 cup green onions (chopped); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated); 1 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs (plain); 1/2 teaspoon Italian herbs seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper (or to taste); 2 large eggs (lightly beaten); 1/4 cup mayo; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 2 tablespoon hot sauce (optional); zest of one lemon; Canola or vegetable oil (to cook the patties)

By Catalina Castravet

Updated: Jun 18, 2021

Published: Jan 8, 2019

5 from 8 reviews

Appetizers Fish and Seafood Main Dishes One Pan Recipes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Salmon Patties are delicious and flavorful, made with cooked salmon, panko bread crumbs, and spiked with fresh green onions, lemon, and paprika. The patties are tender on the inside, and perfectly crispy on the outside. They can be used as an appetizer or as a main dish.

We have already shared the recipe for our popular Shrimp Cakes. In this version, we decided to mix things up with salmon, which resulted in an even bigger hit with our family and guests. If you are a huge salmon fan like us, this recipe should be at the top of your list. Also, the nice part about this recipe is that you can use leftover salmon, canned, or fresh salmon.

Image of homemade salmon patties in the skillet.

Easy Homemade Salmon Patties Recipe

Salmon Patties (aka salmon cakes) are an easy way to make dinner, and will quickly become your favorite recipe to make. We make them few times a month, as they are healthy, tasty, and ready in less than 30 minutes. Every time we have our friends over, the most requested dish on the menu are these patties. We make them so often, that we always have some extra salmon in the freezer. In case we have spontaneous guests over, we better be prepared for their favorite dish!

Another reason to love them is that they can be very versatile. You can mix them with your favorite ingredients, or veggies, so the mix and match possibilities are endless. If you are a cheese lover, you can add some cheese into the mix. Also, if you enjoy a spicier kick, just add some jalapeño.

Serve them with your favorite dip, tartar sauce, or just enjoy them as is. Whichever mix you prefer, they are guaranteed to be a huge hit. The patties always come out juicy, tender, and very flavorful!

How long do salmon patties take to cook?

They are the perfect dish to cook when you have limited time. Once you have all the ingredients ready, they cook in about 10 minutes (5 minutes on each side). In a skillet, with some canola or vegetable oil, fry the patties for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they have a nice golden color.

Once cooked, remove them from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-covered tray to rest for few minutes and absorb the oils. Serve with your favorite dip, tartar sauce, or just enjoy them as is! They are also great served with buns, hamburger style.

Picture of salmon patties garnished with mayo.

How to make the best Salmon Patties?

Since we use fresh salmon, the first step would be to bake it prior to making the patties.

Place salmon skin-side down in a baking dish, and season with some salt and pepper. Brush with olive oil, and bake it for 10 minutes (uncovered) in the oven at 425˚F.
Once baked, discard the skin, and flake the fish with a fork. If it has any bones, remove them.
Next, add to it the rest of the ingredients, and mix them together using your hands.
Use an ice cream scoop for portioning, so each salmon patty is about the same size, and make it into patties.
In a skillet, heat some canola or vegetable oil. Place patties in the pan. Brown on each side for about 4-5 minutes, turning gently.
Drain on paper towels and serve.

Can I bake salmon cakes instead?

Absolutely. If you prefer baking the patties rather than frying, by all means, do so. Follow the same steps above prior to placing the patties into the skillet. Instead, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, and bake them for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven.

Turning them over after about 5 minutes of baking will ensure even and uniform baking.

Can I use canned salmon to make Salmon Patties?

Using canned salmon is a great alternative. It will also save you some time.

Drain and reserve liquid from canned salmon.
Next, add to it the rest of the ingredients, and mix them together using your hands.
Use an ice cream scoop for portioning so each patty is about the same size.
In a skillet, heat some canola or vegetable oil. Place patties in the pan. Brown on each side for about 4-5 minutes, turning gently.
Drain on paper towels and serve.

Can I use tuna instead of salmon?

While tuna might be a great substitution for this recipe, I would not recommend using it for this recipe. Tuna tends to have a stronger flavor, and also is leaner, which usually does not mesh well with other ingredients in this recipe.

Photo of salmon patties garnished with chopped green onion.

What to serve with Salmon Patties?

The patties are great to serve with your favorite dip or tartar sauce. They will also go well with roasted potatoes, oven roasted bok choy, brussel sprouts, or corn casserole.

How long will they last?

To better preserve them, it is best to refrigerate them after cooking. Use an airtight container and store them in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat, add a teaspoon of oil to your skillet and heat over medium-low for about 3 minutes on each side. Also, you could microwave them before serving.

Recipe Tips:

Fresh fish is best, but it can be substituted with leftover cooked salmon or canned salmon.
To save money, you can buy frozen salmon and defrost it. Read the labels carefully and choose wild-caught, raw salmon. Many times the fish is already cooked.
When cooking it, it’s better to undercook than overcook. I like to start checking a thicker piece like this after 15 minutes.
If you don’t like mayonnaise, you can try using full-fat Greek yogurt.
Green onion can be replaced with fresh dill, or you can use your favorite fresh herbs for the mix. Chives, basil, parsley, cilantro are great alternatives.