Fried Salmon Patties
Fried salmon patties have crispy edges and a flaky center – HUNDREDS of reviewers gave it five stars! The 8-ingredient recipe comprises canned salmon, breadcrumbs, onion, eggs, and lemon juice for a nostalgic meal.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Servings | Prep Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 10 minutes (for 4) | 5-8 | Beginner + |
Featured Comment
“Thank you so much for this excellent recipe! My mom used to make salmon patties for me when I was a kid in Eastern Kentucky, and I knew the ingredients, but didn’t have a recipe. Yours is perfect!” – Jennifer
Ingredients
Canned salmon – to make this recipe, you only need one can of pink salmon.
Onions – use white onions to get that sharp, crisp, and slightly sweet flavor.
Breadcrumbs – regular breadcrumbs are great for holding the salmon patties together. If you want a little more crunch, use Panko breadcrumbs. Or make it nostalgic and crush up Saltine Crackers.
Pickle juice (Optional) – Try adding a splash of pickle juice to your salmon patty mix—it boosts the flavor and helps tone down any fishy taste.
Full printable instructions with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card
Make A Double Batch And Freeze The Salmon Patties
You can easily make a double batch of salmon patties before or after you cook them. I recommend freezing them before cooking. Simply create the patties and freeze them in an airtight container for up to three months. When you’re ready to cook, just add them to the cooking oil frozen or thaw them in the fridge overnight.
You can also freeze them after you cook the patties. Let the salmon patties cool completely, add them to an airtight container, and keep them for up to three months. To reheat, bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, air fry at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or microwave in short intervals.
The Bones Are Safe To Eat
Some of the bones are cooked in the can and are completely edible. According to Yahoo.com the salmon is cooked at a high temperature, which softens the bones. Some people love the bones, and others like to pick them out. Either option works.
Poor Man’s Crab Cakes
Back in the Depression, seafood was expensive, so many people started making canned salmon as a popular alternative – hence the name Poor Man’s Crab Cakes.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Drain the juice off of the salmon can. Then, add the can of pink salmon to a large bowl. Next, add the chopped onions.
I just used my hands and pressed against the salmon in the can as it drained off, so be sure to save the juice just in case the patties are a little dry after adding all of the ingredients.
TIP: There shouldn’t be any bones, but I did find a few small ones. I sort of squished the salmon between my fingers to find anything hard and removed it. At this point, it’s going to be rare if you find any hard bones. They’ve been in the can so long that they will be soft–and it’s ok to leave them in. A friend of mine said she always picked out the bones and ate them when she was a little girl while her mom was preparing the meal.
Add the eggs to the bowl.
Next, add the breadcrumbs.
For this recipe, you can use breadcrumbs, cornmeal, crushed Saltine crackers, Ritz Crackers, or panko breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs will add a crunchier texture to the patties.
Many people like salmon patties with crackers because they were raised eating them that way. Plus, it’s a very inexpensive addition to the meal.
Pour the lemon juice into the bowl. Finally, add the salt and pepper. Mix everything together well and shape the mixture into patties.
Tip: If they seem too dry, add a little of the salmon juice back into the mixture and reshape.
Heat up some vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. I filled the skillet up with enough oil that it would cover half of the patties. I made them kind of thick. It yielded about six large patties. But you can certainly make them smaller.
Fry the patties until they are brown. Flip them over and fry the other side until they are brown. When you take them out of the skillet, place them on some paper towels to soak up the grease and sprinkle a little lemon zest or fresh dill right on top.
Other Cooking Options, Time, and Temperature
Baked: Baked salmon patties are a great recipe when you want to skip frying. Place the salmon patties on a greased baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes. Flip them over and cook another five to ten minutes or until golden brown.
Air Fryer: The air fryer is another great way to get the same flavor but with less grease. Place the patties in the freezer for about 10 minutes to help them hold together while cooking. Then, add them to the air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until they are golden brown. Be sure to flip them halfway through the cooking period.
Can I Use Fresh Salmon?
Yes, you can use fresh salmon in this recipe. You will need about one pound of fresh salmon. Cook it in the oven at 450 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. You will want to grease a cookie sheet and place the salmon skin side down. Bake it, let it cool, and flake it with a fork after it cools. Then, you will add the salmon to the recipe.
How Do You Make Them Stick Together?
The breadcrumbs will help keep the patties together, and the egg will also help bind the ingredients together as they cook.
Why Do They Fall Apart Sometimes?
Salmon patties need bread crumbs to hold them together. If your patties are too wet, they will fall apart. If they seem like they are too wet, add some more breadcrumbs and mix them in, and you should be in good shape.
How To Store Leftovers
Store any leftover patties in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Fried Salmon Patties Recipe
Ingredients
- 14.75 ounce can pink salmon
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Add vegetable oil to a skillet and preheat medium to medium-high. Add enough oil to cover half of the salmon patty.
- Drain the juice off the can of salmon. (Save in case the juice is needed later)
- Check for bones.
- Add the chopped onions, eggs, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.
- Mix together and shape into patties.
- Fry in vegetable oil for approximately five minutes on each side, or until each side is browned.
- Place on a paper towel to soak up the grease.
Video
Notes
- You can use Panko or regular breadcrumbs. Some people love to use Saltine cracker crumbs.If the patties are too dry, add a little bit of the reserved juice. If they are too wet, add some more breadcrumbs.
- Have some lemon wedges nearby to squeeze a little on top.
- You can use canned or fresh salmon (cooked). If you have leftover cooked salmon from another recipe, that would make great patties.
