Made of simple ingredients from the pantry, our Old Fashioned Salmon Patties recipe yields sizzling, golden brown salmon cakes that are crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. This is one of the ultimate pantry staple recipes, using canned salmon, mayonnaise, cracker or bread crumbs, egg, and seasoning.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups canned salmon drained if packed in liquid, picked free of skin and bones if the can contains them.
- 1 cup cracker crumbs or unseasoned bread crumbs
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion or onion powder
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
- ½ salt or Old Bay Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons sunflower oil or another neutral oil with a high smoke temperature like canola, vegetable, or light olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Optional but tasty: fresh dill or sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
How To Make Salmon Patties
- Add the drained salmon to a mixing bowl and use a spoon to break it up thoroughly. Stir in the crumbs, mayonnaise, egg, hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce, granulated garlic and onion, salt or Old Bay seasoning, and black pepper.
- Let the mixture rest for 3 minutes, then stir until the mixture looks even and holds together when lifted on a spoon. Divide into 8 equal portions.
- Roll each portion into a ball then flatten slightly into a patty that is about ½-inch thick, but no more than 3/4-inch thick. Plate them on a plate, cover lightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 15 minutes to 30 minutes before cooking them.
How to Fry Salmon Patties
- Place a cast iron skillet or other heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the oil to the pan and swirl to coat the bottom.
- Drop the pat of butter into the skillet. When it foams up, gently place the salmon patties in a single layer with space between them into the hot pan.
- Do not move them once they are in place. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until the bottom of the patty is deep golden brown, you hear sizzling, and it smells good.
- Ease a fish spatula or other slotted turner under each patty and gently turn it over. Only turn these once!
- In order to avoid overcrowding the pan, you may find you need to do this in batches. If so, repeat the oil/butter coating between batches.
How to Bake Salmon Patties
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Line a half sheet pan or baking sheet with parchment and set it aside.
- Arrange the chilled salmon patties with plenty of space between them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Spritz or drizzle lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and set up, turning once halfway through cooking.
- How to Serve Salmon Patties
- Serve them alongside steamed, roasted, or fried vegetables, on a bun like a salmon burger, or straight out of the fridge as a high-protein midnight snack.
