Salmon Patties, made from wild caught canned salmon, are an easy to make dinner time favorite in our house and are the best salmon cake recipe ever!
Although this recipe has become a regular favorite in our house, we also like to mix it up a bit and make Crispy Southern Salmon Patties and Lemon Basil Salmon Patties, along with lots of other variations to keep things interesting!
Salmon Patties are hands down my family’s favorite dinner. When I ask the kids what they want for dinner on their birthday, they say salmon patties.
I cook with salmon all the time. From fresh Pacific Northwest wild caught fillets cooked on a cedar plank to smoked salmon whipped up into an smoked salmon dip or creamy salmon pasta, our appetite craves the omega 3 filled goodness that salmon brings to the table.
Do you need to remove the bones and skin from canned salmon?
If you’ve never used canned salmon, I feel it is my duty to educate you first. And based on the sheer number of reader comments this recipe has gotten, people are very passionate about this subject.
Canned salmon comes in two variations: with and without the skin and bones.
If you buy canned salmon without the skin and bones, it is very similar to canned tuna. You only need to drain it and follow the recipe.
If you buy canned salmon with the skin and bones, it’s basically a chunk of the whole animal (minus the organs) that has been shoved into an aluminum can. You can choose to eat everything in the can (skin, bones, spine, fat, etc.) or you can carefully pick them out and discard to separate the meat.
The bones are really soft because they’ve been soaking in liquid under pressure. The lightest squeeze in between your fingers crushes them. The bones, the skin, and the darker grey meat are full of nutrients.
Me? I pick through that canned salmon like I’m a surgeon and it is my patient.
Bottom line: you can eat the skin/bones/fat or you can leave them out. They are completely edible and it is 100% a matter of preference.
How to make salmon patties:
- My salmon patty recipe mixes the canned salmon with egg (it binds all of the ingredients together), along with bread crumbs, green onions, parmesan, and lime juice. The best thing about salmon patties (or salmon cakes or salmon croquettes, depending on what you want to call them) is that you can add in whatever you like and they may just turn out perfect every time.
- Form the salmon patties by hand and place them in screaming hot oil in a frying pan. The screaming hot part is necessary to get that nice crispy outside.
Salmon patty recipe variations:
- Instead of using panko bread crumbs, try making salmon patties with cornmeal. I’ve done this before (but used a mixture of cornmeal and breadcrumbs) and it gave my salmon cakes a great texture. You can also make them with crushed crackers.
- Ever try salmon patties with mayonnaise? It makes them so moist with tons of added flavor.
- I get asked all the time if these can be made with fresh salmon. My answer is yes – you can make these with fresh salmon if you want to cook the fresh salmon first, but because this recipe is based on what my mom made growing up, I will always recommend using canned salmon.
- How about a salmon patty sauce? I think a basil garlic aioli would be amazing with these salmon cakes!
What to serve with salmon cakes:
The outside of my salmon patties is oh-so-perfectly crispy. The inside is moist and delicious.
We usually serve these up with a starch like rice or potatoes as well as a green vegetable such as a salad or wilted spinach. I also love eating them cold and leftover when they’re mixed into a green salad with some delicious avocado. Sooooo good! That’s why I always double or even triple the recipe.
Kitchen tools used to make this recipe:
Citrus Squeezer: These are the best ways to quickly get all of the juice out of a lemon, lime or orange without the seeds!
Spatula: One can never have too many good quality silcone spatulas, and this one is my favorite. It’s a great size, has the perfect firmness, and doesn’t leave a nasty silcone taste on your food.
Fry pan: I’ve been using Staub cookware for years. It gives your food a great crispy outside and distributes the heat evenly.
Nesting bowls: Every good recipe requires a good set of nesting bowls. I just ordered this set and love them! Light weight, great price, sturdy – perfect!
Recipe video below!
Salmon Patties Recipe
RECIPE VIDEO WILL AUTOPLAY
Ingredients
- 2 14.75 ounce cans wild red salmon (or you can use pink salmon like I did in the video)
- 2 eggs
- 6 green onions (minced)
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1 lime (juiced)
- 4 tablespoons avocado oil (or sub with olive oil)
Instructions
- Drain salmon and pick out all of the good meat you want to use. I'm sure all of it can be used, but I like to discard any bone and skin because I think its gross. Personal preference.
- In a medium sized bowl, combine salmon meat, eggs, green onions, panko bread crumbs, parmesan, and lime juice. Use hands to combine and then form into 8 patties that are no more than one inch thick.
- Heat large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil. When oil is hot enough to bubble when a bread crumb gets tossed in, add your salmon patties. Be sure to leave enough room to have a good inch in between each patty, so you may need to cook them in two batches. Cook until golden brown, about 5-10 minutes, then flip and cook until golden brown on other side.
- Serve warm. They also taste excellent cold on top of salad.
Notes
- Recipe easily doubles or triples if you want leftovers, however you may need to cook in batches to ensure they crisp properly.
- Popular reader variations/add-ins include lemon juice, crushed crackers, sauteed yellow onion, corn meal, fresh dill
NUTRITION INFORMATION
This recipe was originally published in June 2015 and has been updated for your reading pleasure.
My brother was an avid fisherman and he told me the bones and skin in salmon
is where all the flavour is.
Me too! fresh out of the the can mashed up with salt,pepper,and a little garlic powder. Saltine crackers and a couple glasses of Chardoney wine for a quick dinner! Nothing better! mmmm
I dump it all in and use crackers because that is how my mom made them! It was a childhood favorite and my middle, 21 year old son just requested them when he visits! We always serve with Green Godess dressing as dipping sauce! Thanks for the recipe and tips!
I live in Australia and our Salmon Patties were always made on mashed potato. Instead of panko crumbs add a cup of cold mashed potato, never used parmesan either going to give it a go. Going to try your version, seems so much easier and looks delicious. BTW I always take out the backbone but never the skin, I hate chewing the hard little bones. My mother used to put them in a container and mash them up and return them to the mix.
Made these tonight and they were amazing even my four year old wgo is somewhat of a picky eater loved them. I will def be making them again
My mom always made this with the bones but, I remove them. I’ve also made recipe with tuna and mackerel instead of salmon. They are all good.
Made the Salmon Patties last night for dinner……Delicious!!!!!!
Made these for dinner with left over grilled salmon fillets and they were fabulous. My 15 year old son and husband loved them.
My mother has always served salmon patties with macaroni and tomatoes. They pair up so beautifully! Here’s a weird note: my dad always eats one salmon patty with syrup. Sounds gross, but it’s that sweet and salty thing. Actually pretty good! He will also put a ladle of red beans on his chocolate cake. …and yes, we’re from the south! 😂
Mmmmmmm,delicious salmon patties. Made with sautéed kale and roasted rutabaga.
I love the idea of salmon patties! I always make salmon as it is, but these patties look and sound so delicious!
Those patties look perfect and only 7 ingredients. Thanks for the recipe.
Homemade Patties are the best any day!!! Having favourite healthy food at dinner time can be the best thing to happen for the little ones!!
The recipe makes lovely salmon patties. (I take out the bones too)
I haven’t used canned salmon before either but we don’t get fresh salmon here right now, so this was helpful!
I love making these for my daughter. The great thing is, you can add so many different flavours to them
We love salmon patties here – such a good 6-ingredient recipe!
These sound absolutely delicious, will definitely be giving them a try with my children!
I love salmon patties and your version looks wonderful. Whether or not you keep the skin in is up to you, I guess! 🙂
I like to use almond flour instead of bread crumbs to keep the carb count near zero for my wife. Works really well.
Great recommendation! I’ve used hazelnut meal too and it fries up beautifully.
Hi Krissy, Found you while looking for salmon patty recipes. My dinner entertainment was reading all the comments. LOL I don’t mind bones in canned salmon and like the crunch. But then, I like, beef tongue, heart, liver, etc. It’s how I grew up. This is a great recipe! Yum! The lime gives acidity and parmesan gives some salt. Since I had a jar of home canned salmon that my son in law caught-with no bones or skin, who was I to argue? And…don’t think I could BUY skin and bones somewhere. Ha ha. I really enjoyed this and will make again. I did add one extra egg and some crushed saltine crackers-just because I could.
Glad you enjoyed the comments. 🙂 Beef tongue? I still can’t do it.
Can’t do the parmesan…..Is there a substitute I can use, or should I just leave it out?
You can definitely leave it out. I’ve used ground hazelnuts and they brown up nicely which is what the parm does. If you can have nuts, try that!
I’m with Barb, I never took the skin or bones out,and I’ve bern making them for years. Eat them cold out of the fridge too! I’m really looking forward to making your variation.
My mom made them for years, and I loved them! She had a totally different recipe.
Thanks! I love your recipes!
I have made these for many years and always used self rising flour instead of bread crumbs. You can always add some instant mashed potato flakes. I use lemon juice also.
Thank you for this nice variation to an old recipe. When I was a kid, and mom was making her salmon patties, I would actually beg for the bones….still love them!!!!
Eat what you want. If you want to pick, pick. If you want to eat it, eat it. Who cares what other people think? They can all go pound sand if they don’t like it. I say do what pleases you and tell everyone else to go to hell.
I tried your receipe and I loved it.
My mom made salmon patties and I have always loved them.
These are awesome and now my go to for the dish.
I was also raised on Salmon Patties, and love them. I always used canned Salmon, as my mother did, that is until I tried them with fresh Salmon. Trust me, once you make them with fresh you will love the upgrade, and never use canned again. Just sayin’…..
Never made them or tasted them before. Concerned about the salt….is it from the crackers or is the salmon salty?. I don’t care for salmon but hope I like the patties. My husband and I are loosing our taste buds and nothing tastes good to us any more!!! Trying to find new things to eat…. We both have high blood pressure..that’s why the concern for the salt someone mentioned! Help! 🙂
Hi Mare, I know you can find canned salmon without salt. That would definitely help bring down the sodium. Hope you can try it!
I never take the bones or skin out of the canned salmon. Another great way to add to your salmon is to used crunched up potato chips instead of Panko Crumbs or crackers when mixing the salmon to prepare for frying. They are so much crispier and delicious. We love fried Salmon Patties at our house!
my husband loved to fish, he said never use pink salmon to make salmon patties ,good salmon is the red salmo
lil
I have always used the skin and bones…the bones are the most nutritious part of the salmon..they are soft and easily digested..I can agree about the skin being gross looking..but the bones are so very healthy.