Old Fashioned Salmon Patties

Looking for an old fashioned salmon patties recipe? You're in the right place, my friend! They're a southern staple, so you probably ate them as a kid and still love them now that you're all grown up! They're a quick and easy dinner that only takes 20 minutes from start to finish. Fried in a cast iron skillet until they're crispy on the outside but still soft and moist on the inside.

Salmon patties are the same thing as salmon croquettes or salmon cakes. The main ingredients are canned salmon, bread crumbs, egg, lemon pepper seasoning, and a little grated sweet onion. Perfect to serve with my Lemon Dill Sauce.

Why You'll Love Them

Salmon patties are a great entree but can also be served as an appetizer. If you serve them as an appetizer, make the patties smaller (bite size), and serve with dipping sauces. My Lemon Dill Sauce is wicked good (I literally have eaten this by the spoonful) and is outstanding with these croquettes.

If you serve salmon patties as an entree, some good side dishes that go well with them are Southern Mac and Cheese (also a 20-minute recipe!), Butter and Herb Potatoes, or Jalapeno Corn Casserole.

If you find some great fresh salmon fillets at the market, please try my Lemon Dill Salmon or Cajun Baked Salmon.

Ingredients and Notes

Salmon - canned "wild" salmon (with or without the bones) is a great option because it's already cooked, usually cheaper than fresh salmon, and it tastes pretty good. Make sure the label has these words: wild, wild-caught, Alaskan.

Bread crumbs - helps hold everything together and makes the patties soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. I like to use bread crumbs because of their neutral flavor allowing me to use my favorite seasonings.

Onion - I like to grate the onion. It's easier than mincing, plus you get tiny bits of onion rather than big chunks. Use the rest of the onion to make a great side dish such as these Fried Potatoes and Onions.

Seasoning - lemon pepper seasoning pairs well with salmon! Goes great with chicken, too. Try it with my Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts.

Egg - gives moisture to the patties and helps bind everything together.

Olive oil - for frying the patties.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can substitute the canned salmon with canned tuna. The flavor and texture of tuna aren't exactly the same as salmon but it's still a very good swap. If you use tuna packed in water, you'll need to add some moisture to the mixture, such as an extra egg or 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise.

Some people use crushed saltine crackers, Ritz crackers, oats, or corn meal instead of bread crumbs. If I don't have bread crumbs, then I reach for corn meal because of its neutral flavor, and it makes the patties extra crispy on the outside.

The seasonings are up to you but I love how well lemon pepper seasoning and salmon go together. You can substitute with Old Bay Seasoning for a different kind of flavor boost. Cajun or Creole Seasoning will give these salmon patties an extra boost!

If you love celery, I suggest grating one celery stalk and toss it into the mixture with the onion. Grating the celery gets it into nice small pieces and it elimiates those pesky strings!

How to Make Salmon Patties

Step 1. Mix drained salmon, bread crumbs, lemon pepper seasoning, onion, and egg in a large bowl.

Step 2. Shape into 5 patties.

Step 3. Fry the patties in olive oil in a cast iron skillet.

Step 4. Serve with your favorite condiment and side dishes.

Alternate Baking Method

1. Preheat the Oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use non-stick spray.
2. Lightly brush or spray the patties with a little olive oil or cooking spray to help them brown and keep them moist.
3. Bake for about 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway through. This ensures both sides get golden brown and crisp.
4. For extra crispiness, you can broil the patties for the last 1–2 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.

What to Serve with Salmon Patties

Here are some delicious dishes from My Kitchen Serenity that would pair wonderfully with these salmon patties. Check out these meal plan options.

Meal Plan 1: Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli Slaw, and Oatmeal Cookies.

Meal Plan 2: Macaroni and Tomatoes, Creamy Corn Salad, and Yogurt Parfaits.

Meal Plan 3: Baked Sweet Potato Halves, Smothered Cabbage, and Fudgy Brownies.

Meal Plan 4: Serve salmon patties on a hamburger bun with Easy Mac and Cheese and Orange Fluff Salad.

Recipe Tips

Don’t Overmix: When combining ingredients, be gentle to avoid breaking down the salmon too much.

Chill the Mixture Before Shaping: If you have the time, chill the salmon mixture for about 15–30 minutes before shaping the patties. The chilled mixture is a little easier to works with.

Form Patties with Wet Hands: If you find the mixture too sticky, wet your hands then make the patties.

Salmon Patty Appetizers

As mentioned earlier, you can easily turn these dinner size patties into 20-25 smaller appetizer-size patties. They'll cook quicker in the skillet so pay close attention to them. Stick a toothpick in each cooked patty and serve on a platter with a bowl of lemon dill sauce for dipping.

How to Store Them

Cooked Patties - Store cooked and cooled salmon patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Enjoy them cold or heat in the microwave at 50% power until warm.

Uncooked Patties - Make the patties, and let them complately cool off. Then place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Place them in the freezer for about an hour or until they're solid. Then you can transfer them to a freezer friendly container. Use them within 3 months. Let them thaw in the refrigerator, then fry as usual.

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