Southern Salmon Patties combine canned salmon, cajun seasoning, and cornmeal in this easy crispy Southern style salmon patty recipe.
Why this recipe works:
This recipe is a spin on my classic salmon patties. I changed out a few of the ingredients, including adding some of my homemade cajun seasoning, to give them a subtle spicy flavor and a crispy cornmeal coating. If you are a salmon patty fan, you'll love this variation of the recipe!
Crispy Southern Salmon Patties are the kind of easy dinner recipe that is perfect for a busy weeknight.
First of all, you might just find that you already have the ingredients needed to make Southern Salmon Patties on hand. I've taken to buying the boneless skinless canned salmon at Costco. This allows me to avoid having to pick the bones, skin, and dark flesh out. I never let my pantry run out.
How to make this recipe:
You'll see how easy these pan fried salmon patties really are to make.
The first step is to saute up some diced onion in butter. It was one of my readers, in fact, who told me to saute them first. This would not only make them more mild in the finished salmon patty, but it would allow them to not burn when cooking the salmon patty in some hot oil. You'll want to set those sauteed onions aside and let them cool a bit.
Next step is to combine all of the ingredients except the oil and the cornmeal, including the cooked onions, in a large bowl. You can use a wooden spoon but you're going to have to get your hands dirty to form the salmon patties, so you might as well get them in there to do the final mixing.
Form this mixture into four patties, then coat both sides in the cornmeal.
Using the same pan you used to cook the onions, heat the oil to just below the smoking point and cook your Southern salmon patties until they're nice and crispy, turning only once.
You can eat them hot for dinner or eat them cold on a salad the next day!
What to serve with Salmon Patties?
With my traditional salmon patty recipe, I almost always serve them with brown rice and a salad. For this Southern version, I like to break out my favorite Southern sides.
You can't go wrong with a good mac and cheese recipe on the side. How about grits? I think I may have made grits only once or twice, but they'd be great with these cajun salmon patties. Anyone like collard greens? Those would be fantastic as well.
To be honest, salmon patties are pretty versitile and easy side dish recipes that would taste great with them aren't difficult to find.
Full Recipe Instructions
Crispy Southern Salmon Patties
Ingredients
- ½ yellow onion (minced)
- 1 T butter
- 12 oz salmon (2-6oz boneless skinless cans, drained)
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- 1 T lemon juice
- ½ cup saltine crackers (crushed)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 egg (slightly beaten)
- ½ cup cornmeal
- 2 T olive oil (more or less, depends on size of pan)
Instructions
- In large saute pan over medium high heat, saute onions in butter until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In large bowl, combine salmon, cajun seasoning, lemon juice, crushed saltines, salt, pepper, egg, and the cooked onions. Stir well to combine. Form into four patties.
- Place cornmeal in shallow dish and coat each patty on both sides.
- Using same pan you cooked the onions, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the salmon patties and cook until crisp on both sides, about 5-8 minutes each side. Serve hot or cold.
Dee Bellini
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Karen
Do you use red or pink salmon?
Krissy
I used to use red because I think it is better, but pink is much more cost effective. So, I've made them both ways.
Lucy
I made these and they turned out fantastic! I modified the recipe by adding my personal touches; I added a quarter finely diced green pepper (not sautéed), 2 T. Chopped green bell pepper, panko crumbs instead of thé crackers, 2 eggs, coated in panko crumbs and fried in a cast iron skillet with 1 T. Olive oil and 1 T. Butter. Served with rémoulade sauce which provides a slightly sweet tangy finish.
Lucy
I tried to edit; 2 T. Chopped green onions!
Krissy
I love adding green onions to my salmon patties!
Sylvia White
How long can you keep the salmon mixed up in the refrigerator before cooking them for a meal?
Krissy
I would try to cook them up within a couple days.
Lucy
I made this with fresh salmon and your Cajun seasoning recipe and they were terrific! I made them a lot smaller and served them with a Caesar Salad.
Barbara
I grew up eatng these.My children loves them. I love the Cajun touch.I use Obay,Leo pepper.
Dana
Salmon patties (We called themselves salmon biscuits,growing up here in the south) I grew up eating them with southern baked beans,mac n cheese,soupy potatoes,and cornbread.Sooo good,and I carried on this same tradition with my 7 children.They all love this meal.’Yummy’ for the tummy!!!
Linda
Dana how do you make soupy potatoes? Mom made this meal and I can not figure out how to make soupy potatoes. I love them,please!
Jennifer Lehner
I love salmon patties and I can't wait to try this recipe because mine never turn out crispy!!
Krissy
Just make sure the oil is super hot before you add the patties. That will help give a nice crisp too!
Pam Dana
I love Salmon Burgers, but have never made them myself! Can't wait to try this recipe! Thanks so much!
Cheryl Sousan
oh how I love the Cajun twist! Sounds crazy delicious
Kara Cook
Oh goodness, these look so good! I be the cajun seasoning makes them so flavorful!
Tara
Mmm, crispy and delicious -- thanks!
Emily
These sound like they might be a notch up from my Grandmother's (sacrilege 😮 ) I can't wait to try them on a sandwich with some ketchup and mustard, but your thoughts on pairing them alongside grits sounds awesome too!! : D