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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!
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
*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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
P.S. If you love this recipe and salmon in general, our famous baked salmon is a must try!
Salmon Cakes Recipe (Salmon Patties)

Ingredients
- 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 mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
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
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Made as described with leftover, luscious sockeye salmon fillets. Added 1 tsp Aleppo pepper flakes for a bit of warmth. Also made the tartar sauce, which was tasty! Recipe is a keeper!
I’m so glad you found a new favorite on my blog, Sherry!
This was a HUGE hit! Made exactly as written with the accompanying tartar sauce recipe.
Everyone thought it was delicious, took seconds, and wanted it in regular rotation.
Hi Kathy! I’m so glad they were a hit. Thank you for sharing.
I’ve always been a fan of salmon cakes and this is the recipe I keep going back to.
I usually tweak it by buying salmon and baking it, adding some fish sauce and other seasonings, but other wise it is the best I’ve tried.
Hi Daniel! That’s great to hear. Thank you for the feedback.
I tried this recipe step by step and the salmon cakes kept falling apart everytime I tried to flip them over. Do you have any idea why this happened?
Hi Tia! We’ve always used this exact recipe and they never fall apart but if the 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. Also, pack them nice and tight to help them stay together. I hope that helps!
Holy Cow…um…Salmon!! 😋🦈😋
just mixed these up for dinner using leftover BBQ wild salmon from 2 nights ago.
I’m allergic to bell peppers and after mixing everything else together and tasting, I decided it was missing that zing a bell pepper would have given, so added a dash of Mccormick Chipotle Steak Seasoning. Perfection!!!
I have a dozen pattied up and ready to cook for dinner tonight.
It all looked so good, I couldn’t resist and since my pan was already buttered from the onions, I popped a taster patty in for me! Wow!!! Sooooo good!! Can’t wait for dinner!!!
How would these do with freezing (not browned)? Thinking this might be a great quick supper for days I’m running short of energy or time. Thaw, brown and throw on a plate beside a ceasar salad. Your thoughts?? Thanks so much
Laura
Asesome! I’m so glad that you loved it! I haven’t tried freezing this to advise.
I didn’t quite have enough leftover baked salmon for this recipe so I added a can of high quality sockeye and it turned out beautifully. The whole family devoured these (even my daughter who doesn’t love the taste of mayo). These would be delicious topped with a fried egg for brunch too.
That’s great, Carla! So glad they were a hit with the family!
Thanks so much for your comment,I was wanting to know if I could do that ( fresh w/canned) and you answered my question! ‘
I left a review and comment but forgot, to add due to dietary restrictions, omitted the bell pepper,. Love your recipes.
First time making with fresh salmon, (that my son caught), wow what a difference. I added 1 tblsp of chopped capers, some tarragon and dill. Came out delicious. Everyone liked them even the teens lol. Thank you for a great recipe.
Thank you, Susan! I’m so glad you loved it.
Made these with Almond meal instead of bread crumbs to accommodate our keto diet. Very good.
Salmon patties are fantastic!
I do need clarification on what a serving size is for the 157 calorie count
Glad you enjoyed it! This recipe makes 13-14 Salmon Cakes (depending on how large you make them) and the nutrition facts listed are for 1 serving. So glad you enjoy my recipes, thank you! 🙂
Amazing recipe for leftover salmon! Used greek yogurt instead of mayo and loved it.
That’s so great! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Auguste!
great recipe. used left over cooked salmon. totally a hit.
bringing them for our next potluck.
That’s great, Dale!
This is excellent Natasha! Bought salmon filets, actually shipped to me and they were a disappointment regarding fresh taste. I used this recipe and we are so pleased. Will use as our patty recipe❣️ Thanks
Hi Linda! I’m so glad you loved this recipe. Thank you.
I have made these salmon cakes so many times since finding your recipe! Usually with a good canned salmon (always onhand), sometimes with roasted red peppers in a jar and dried parsley instead of fresh. Regardless, the comination of flavors in this recipe never fails to please! Many, many thanks to you, Natasha! ❤️🤗
That sounds wonderful, Neva!
My husband and I went Salmon fishing this past year and came back with 6 huge Salmon…what to do with all that wonderful, fresh Salmon??? Found this recipe and it turned out exactly as the pictures look!!! They are so delicious!!!! They are now a staple for dinner at lease 2x’s month…every time we give some Salmon filets to a friend, we always include a copy of this recipe!!!!
Wow, that’s great that you caught six huge salmon! It sounds like you found a great way to use the fresh salmon with this recipe. I’m glad to hear that the patties turned out delicious and have become a staple in your dinner rotation.
I made these with lightly smoked leftover salmon and they were fantastic!
Sounds great, Nina! Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful recipe. I added a bit of our Local “El Fuego”, hot sauce into the mix and left out the onions. Wonderful, thank you Natasha. PS too many adds to click through, Not very user friendly. Joe
Thanks for your feedback and review, Joe. Glad that you enjoyed this recipe with hot sauce.
Can these be served at room temperature? Would like to make them as part of a cold luncheon buffet.
Hi Dee, while we prefer these hot, these can be served hot or cold and they taste delicious. I hope you love this recipe.
Fantastic salmon cakes! So easy to make and so so yummy! I had a little sweet spicy Thai chili on the side which married great with the cakes. Thanks Natasha!
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Hi
Can I make these ahead and reheat the next day?
Thank you
Hi Diane, these reheat well.
So, I was gonna make a sandwich for dinner, but I had just picked up some salmon on sale. So glad I didn’t make the sandwich😀. These are terrific.
Gonna set some up for the freezer.
Another Natasha winner.
That’s great to hear, Kelly! Thanks so much for sharing.