Salmon Patties

Featured in Family Dinner Ideas.

Mix flaked salmon with breadcrumbs, egg, lemon zest and fresh dill. Shape into small cakes, chill bit to hold shape. Fry in hot pan till golden both sides. Serve with lemon wedges and herb sauce. Makes quick dinner that tastes fancy in bout 25 minutes.

Fatiha
Updated on Sun, 11 May 2025 20:56:50 GMT
A plate of golden-brown salmon patties garnished with fresh dill and served with lemon wedges and a creamy sauce. Pin it
A plate of golden-brown salmon patties garnished with fresh dill and served with lemon wedges and a creamy sauce. | zestplate.com

Want a foolproof salmon patty formula? These golden, crunchy cakes bring homestyle comfort to your dinner table in minutes. Using affordable canned salmon, this approach creates fast family meals that everyone at your table will gobble up.

Tasty and Straightforward

Curious how to whip up salmon patties that remind you of childhood? This traditional salmon patty method keeps everything simple yet flavorful. Whether you're cooking on a tight budget or just feeling nostalgic, these fish cakes deliver amazing flavor without any fuss.

Ingredients List

  • Bell Pepper: Gives a nice snap
  • Fresh Dill: Brings that signature flavor
  • Bread: Get it fresh if possible
  • Olive Oil: For the frying pan
  • Flour: Works as a binder
  • Garlic: Just one clove, finely chopped
  • Seasonings: Salt, pepper, paprika
  • Green Onions: For a mild kick
  • Egg: Helps everything stick
  • Lemon: Need both the juice and grated peel
  • Canned Salmon: Drain but keep some liquid

How To Make Salmon Patties

Combine Ingredients:
Dump your salmon into a large bowl. Break it apart with a fork, leaving some lumpy bits for good texture. Toss in your bread, veggies, and spices - just like they did in traditional family kitchens.
Form Your Patties:
Make eight equally-sized cakes with your hands. Don't squeeze them too hard - you want them soft when you bite in. This trick helps you create salmon patties that won't fall apart but still feel tender.
Take a Break:
Pop your patties in the fridge for half an hour. This quick rest helps them stay together when they hit the hot pan - a secret many grandmas never shared.
Start Cooking:
Warm your oil until it's slightly rippling. Cook each cake about 4 minutes on both sides until they turn golden and crispy. You'll know they're done when they match what you've always imagined perfect salmon patties should look like.

Heritage Story

Each household has their own special way of making salmon patties. These wallet-friendly cakes got many families through tough financial stretches, turning into beloved comfort food over time. This modern version honors those memories while adding some fresh twists.

Getting The Best Results

Getting good canned salmon makes all the difference in your patties. Add fresh components and just the right amount of spices to let the fish flavor come through. Try to make your patties the same size so they cook evenly.

Great Side Dishes

Enjoy your patties with easy sides that don't steal the show. A bit of lemon juice, some homemade tartar sauce, or a handful of greens works wonderfully. Stick with traditional accompaniments like folks did years ago.

Keeping Leftovers

Your patties will stay good in the fridge for several days. Warm them up slowly to maintain their texture. They're great for quick midday meals or easy dinners later in the week.

A plate of golden-brown salmon patties garnished with fresh dill and lemon slices, accompanied by a side of creamy sauce. Pin it
A plate of golden-brown salmon patties garnished with fresh dill and lemon slices, accompanied by a side of creamy sauce. | zestplate.com

Selecting Quality Fish

Go for good canned salmon to get the tastiest results. Try to find wild-caught when you can, and don't stress about the tiny bones - they'll add some calcium and mash up without any trouble in your fish cakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Breaking when cooking?

Let chill first good. Don't move too quick. Make em tight packed. Cold helps lots. Worth the wait.

→ Need no wheat kind?

Special crumbs work. Check all your stuff. Rice ones good too. Still holds shape. Might need more egg.

→ What goes with em?

Green salad's nice. Steam some veggies. Make quick sauce. Keep sides light. Fresh stuff best.

→ Making em early?

Shape and chill good. Cook just before eat. Keep em cold wrapped. Fresh is best though. Don't make too far.

→ No fresh herbs?

Dried stuff works. Use way less though. Fresh tastes better. Still comes good. Don't skip em all.

→ Getting too dry?

More egg helps mix. Don't cook too long. Watch the heat. Make sauce maybe. Keep em moist.

→ Taking em places?

Keep em cold packed. Cook there maybe. Pack sauce side. Take fresh tops. Worth the work.

→ Need em faster?

Have stuff ready. Quick mix works. One bowl good. Still need some chill. Worth short wait.

→ Making big batch?

Double works fine. Need more space. Cook in groups. Keep first warm. Don't crowd pan.

→ Want more flavor?

Add more herbs fresh. Try garlic too. Lemon zest helps. Even spice works. Don't hide fish though.

→ Not browning good?

Pan needs hotter. Pat cakes dry. Don't crowd em. More oil helps. Give em time.

→ Mixture too wet?

More crumbs help. Let sit longer. Drain fish good. Press water out. Mix gentle like.

Conclusion

Love these? Try fish potato cakes next. Or make big salmon burgers. Both use same good fish.

Salmon Patties

Fast fish cake dinner.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (8 patties)

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1 (14.75 ounce) can salmon, drained of all but 2 tablespoons of liquid, flaked.
02 1 large slice bread, crust removed, shredded (1 cup, 50g).
03 3 tablespoons green onion, chopped.
04 1 medium garlic clove, minced.
05 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried.
06 3 tablespoons minced green bell pepper.
07 1 tablespoon flour.
08 1 large egg.
09 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika.
10 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest.
11 2 teaspoons lemon juice.
12 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt.
13 Several turns of freshly ground black pepper.
14 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.

Instructions

Step 01

In a large bowl, gently mix together the salmon (including 2 tablespoons of the can liquid), bread, green onion, garlic, dill, bell pepper, flour, egg, paprika, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well combined.

Step 02

Form the mixture into 8 patties, each about 1/2 inch thick, ensuring they hold together well.

Step 03

Cover the patties and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to several hours, to help them firm up for cooking.

Step 04

Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Carefully place the patties in the skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side. Serve warm and enjoy the delightful burst of flavors.

Notes

  1. If the mixture seems too wet to form into patties, add more shredded bread to reach the desired consistency. If too dry, incorporate a tablespoon of water.
  2. These patties work beautifully as part of a brunch spread or as a main dish for a quick dinner.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large bowl.
  • Large skillet.
  • Refrigerator.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Fish.
  • Gluten.
  • Egg.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 299
  • Total Fat: 17 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 9 g
  • Protein: 27 g