Salmon Cakes Recipe

These salmon cakes are crisp on the outside with tasty bites of flaked salmon. They always disappear fast! SUPER EASY and truly delicious salmon cakes! | natashaskitchen.com

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These salmon cakes are crisp on the outside with tasty bites of flaked salmon – YUMM!! It’s mostly salmon which makes every bite such a treat! These salmon cakes always disappear fast and are well loved by the kids and grown ups in our family. I love that there isn’t a hint of fishiness in them.

It’s a smart way to use up leftover cooked salmon, but it’s worth the extra 10 minutes it takes to roast salmon just for this recipe. These salmon patties are THAT GOOD! p.s. You can also use well-drained packaged or canned salmon if that’s what you have on hand.

Make sure to serve with this homemade tartar sauce – it’s the easiest sauce to make, keeps well in the fridge, and once you try homemade, there’s just no going back to the store-bought muck. The same goes for these salmon cakes – they are truly delicious!

These salmon cakes are crisp on the outside with tasty bites of flaked salmon. They always disappear fast! SUPER EASY and truly delicious salmon cakes! | natashaskitchen.com

Ingredients for Salmon Cakes:

1 lb fresh salmon filet*
Garlic Salt – I use Lawry’s brand
Black Pepper
Olive Oil
1 medium onion (1 cup finely diced)
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
1 cup Panko bread crumbs (Japanese Style crumbs)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 Tbsp mayo
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

These salmon cakes are crisp on the outside with tasty bites of flaked salmon. They always disappear fast! SUPER EASY and truly delicious salmon cakes! | natashaskitchen.com

*Note: Fresh salmon is best, but it can be substituted with leftover cooked salmon, or 14-15 oz of well-drained canned salmon, or three 5 oz salmon packets. If mixture is too moist to hold the patty shape, add more bread crumbs and if it is too dry, add an extra Tablespoon of mayo.

Watch How To Make Salmon Patties:

How To Make Salmon Cakes (Salmon Patties):

1. Preheat Oven to 425˚F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or a silpat. Place salmon skin-side down, brush with olive oil and season with garlic salt and black pepper.

Bake uncovered for 10-15 min or just until cooked through (my thinner cut wild salmon was closer to 10 minutes). Remove from oven, cover with foil and rest ten minutes. Discard skin, flake salmon with forks, remove any bones, and cool to room temp while prepping remaining ingredients.

These salmon cakes are crisp on the outside with tasty bites of flaked salmon. They always disappear fast! SUPER EASY and truly delicious salmon cakes! | natashaskitchen.com

2. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp butter and finely diced onion and bell pepper. Saute until softened and golden (7-9 minutes) then remove from heat.

Two photos of red peppers and onions being sautéed

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled flaked salmon, sautéed onion and pepper, 1 cup bread crumbs, 2 beaten eggs, 3 Tbsp mayo, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup fresh parsley. Stir to combine then form into 13-14 patties. I find it’s easiest to portion the patties using a flat ice cream scoop then pressing them into 1/3 to 1/2″ thick patties.

These salmon cakes are crisp on the outside with tasty bites of flaked salmon. They always disappear fast! SUPER EASY and truly delicious salmon cakes! | natashaskitchen.com

These salmon cakes are crisp on the outside with tasty bites of flaked salmon. They always disappear fast! SUPER EASY and truly delicious salmon cakes! | natashaskitchen.com

4. Heat 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter in a large pan over medium heat and once butter is done sizzling, add half of the salmon cakes and sauté 3 1/2 to 4 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through.

If salmon cakes brown too quickly, reduce heat. Remove to a paper-towel lined plate. Add remaining 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter and repeat cooking remaining salmon cakes.

These salmon cakes are crisp on the outside with tasty bites of flaked salmon. They always disappear fast! SUPER EASY and truly delicious salmon cakes! | natashaskitchen.com

These salmon cakes are crisp on the outside with tasty bites of flaked salmon. They always disappear fast! SUPER EASY and truly delicious salmon cakes! | natashaskitchen.com

I can’t get enough of those big flakes of salmon! Major Cravings for salmon cakes with homemade tartar sauce right now. Hands down, these are the best salmon cakes I’ve ever tried and they are so easy!

These salmon cakes are crisp on the outside with tasty bites of flaked salmon. They always disappear fast! SUPER EASY and truly delicious salmon cakes! | natashaskitchen.com

P.S. If you love this recipe and salmon in general, our famous baked salmon is a must try!

Salmon Cakes Recipe (Salmon Patties)

4.98 from 768 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
These salmon cakes are crisp on the outside with flavorful bites of flaked salmon and they always disappear fast! Make sure to serve with our homemade tartar sauce.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 13 to 14 salmon cakes

Instructions

  • Preheat Oven to 425˚F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or a silpat. Place salmon skin-side down, brush with olive oil and season with garlic salt and black pepper. Bake uncovered for 10-15 min or just until cooked through (my thinner cut salmon was closer to 10 min). Remove from oven, cover with foil and rest ten minutes. Discard skin, flake salmon with forks, remove any bones, and cool to room temp.
  • Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp butter and finely diced onion and bell pepper. Saute until softened and golden (7-9 minutes) then remove from heat.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled flaked salmon, sautéed onion and pepper, 1 cup bread crumbs, 2 beaten eggs, 3 Tbsp mayo, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup fresh parsley. Stir to combine then form into 13-14 patties. It's easy to portion patties using a flat ice cream scoop then pressing them into 1/3 to 1/2" thick patties.
  • Heat 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter in a large pan over medium heat and once butter is done sizzling, add half of the salmon cakes and sauté 3 1/2 to 4 min per side or until golden brown and cooked through. If salmon cakes brown too quickly, reduce heat. Remove to a paper-towel lined plate. Add remaining 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter and repeat cooking remaining salmon cakes.

Notes

*Note: Fresh salmon is best, but it can be substituted with leftover cooked salmon, or 14-15 oz of well-drained canned salmon, or three 5 oz salmon packets. If mixture is too moist to hold the patty shape, add more bread crumbs and if it is too dry, add an extra Tablespoon of mayo.

Nutrition Per Serving

157kcal Calories5g Carbs9g Protein11g Fat3g Saturated Fat53mg Cholesterol175mg Sodium221mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar373IU Vitamin A8mg Vitamin C21mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Salmon Cakes Recipe (Salmon Patties)
Amount per Serving
Calories
157
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
11
g
17
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Cholesterol
 
53
mg
18
%
Sodium
 
175
mg
8
%
Potassium
 
221
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
5
g
2
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
9
g
18
%
Vitamin A
 
373
IU
7
%
Vitamin C
 
8
mg
10
%
Calcium
 
21
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: salmon cakes
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 157
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

These salmon cakes are crisp on the outside with tasty bites of flaked salmon. They always disappear fast! SUPER EASY and truly delicious salmon cakes! | natashaskitchen.com

Love Salmon?! Me too!! Check out all of our Salmon Recipes Here :).

These salmon cakes are crisp on the outside with tasty bites of flaked salmon. They always disappear fast! SUPER EASY and truly delicious salmon cakes! | natashaskitchen.com
4.98 from 768 votes (361 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Aimee
    February 7, 2026

    Love this recipe! My absolute go to for salmon patties!

    Reply

  • Martine
    February 3, 2026

    The best salmon cakes. Easy bite size for single people or great for company as appetizers. I make it 3 times a week

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 3, 2026

      Wow, that’s so great! I’m so glad you found a favorite on my blog, Martine!

      Reply

  • John
    February 2, 2026

    I made these exactly as written and they came out great….Like the best salmon cakes I have ever had great! This goes into my folder, “Things I made and liked”.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 2, 2026

      That’s wonderful to hear, John! So glad you loved it.

      Reply

  • Sandy
    February 2, 2026

    Oh my goodness! I ate them all!!!! Thank you for the recipe. I also made the meatloaf-baking tomorrow. Can’t wait. Thanks so much for making cooking easier with your site.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 2, 2026

      You’re so welcome, Sandy! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Beth
    January 30, 2026

    This is hands down the most flavorful salmon patty recipe I’ve ever had. My husband and son-in-law caught salmon in Lake Michigan this past fall so I used fresh/ frozen fillets. Curious if I can make these a day ahead (but fry them the day of)?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 30, 2026

      Hi Beth! Yes, you can refrigerate them for a day or so, or freeze for longer storage. I would cook the salmon to form the patties and keep them in an airtight container separated by parchment paper.

      Reply

  • Chante Mclin
    January 22, 2026

    Sooooo Good!!! I can’t have gluten, so I used 1/4 c. of coconut flour and 3/4 c. of tiger nut flour b/c that’s what I had on hand. These came out wonderfully nutty-tasting (no nuts involved, though). Hands down the best salmon cake recipe, and I’ve made a few.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 23, 2026

      Thank you for sharing, Chante! I’m glad using coconut flour worked well too!

      Reply

  • Sandy
    January 16, 2026

    Hi, they sound good. I have fresh cooked salmon in the fridge but other plans for the few days. Should I freeze the salmon as is or make them into cakes then freeze.?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 16, 2026

      Hi Sandy! Yes, these can be made ahead, and frozen until ready to cook. I would cook the salmon to form the patties and then freeze them before cooking the patties. We keep them in an airtight container separated by parchment paper.

      Reply

  • Shelley
    January 13, 2026

    Hey Natasha! How many adults would this serve?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 13, 2026

      Hi Shelley! It makes about 13-14 salmon cakes. If you’re serving this as one of the main sides, I would aim for 2-3 per person.

      Reply

  • Laura Zielinski
    January 3, 2026

    Love it! I made them for the first time yesterday. The recipe was easy to follow. Next time I’ll cook my salmon for 8 minutes. I used a 1/4 measuring cup to scoop up the mix and make equal portions. I added some Orange Dry Rub that I have for extra flavor. I also whipped up a garlic lemon aioli for dipping.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 3, 2026

      Thank you for sharing that with me, Laura! I’m so glad you loved it.

      Reply

  • Lara
    December 30, 2025

    Very good. I would like to add a little bit more seasonings next time, though. Maybe add some Johnny’s Seasoning.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 30, 2025

      Thank you for sharing that with me, Lara. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply

  • Kristine
    December 30, 2025

    Made these for the first time for a luncheon. Was nervous, but could not find my usual recipe. Wow, it was so delicious! Got a lot of compliments! This is my new go to recipe!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 30, 2025

      I’m so glad to hear it was a hit, Kristine!

      Reply

      • Gloria
        February 2, 2026

        Great recipe and I learned about oil and butter and when the butter stops popping and it is time to start cooking patties.
        I need to use the panko and not bread crumbs. It was too dry for my husband. If I do use the bread crumbs I will not use as much. Make the patties more moist.
        Keep up the good work Natasha

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          February 2, 2026

          Thank you for trying this recipe, Gloria.

          Reply

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