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

  • Liz
    March 21, 2025

    These are awesome! I made mine way bigger, and ended up with 7 cakes! They fried up quicker, too! Delish! Thanks!

    Reply

  • Carolin
    March 6, 2025

    These look amazing! Could I make them ahead and serve them cool as an appetizer?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 6, 2025

      Hi Carolin! Yes, you can eat these cold too.

      Reply

  • Tanja
    March 5, 2025

    Hello, I must say this recipe is a keeper. I cater and salmon cakes are a big hit for brunches. I love your recipe I added only bayvand basil. And the flavor was more intense. Thank you for sharing.. A1 recipe in my book.

    Reply

  • Marilyn
    March 3, 2025

    Just a shout out to Natasha for this recipe being in the Costco Connection magazine and attributed to her. I make this regularly and it always comes out perfect and disappears quickly.

    Reply

  • Dan
    March 3, 2025

    Can you refrigerate the mixture up to 18 hours

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 3, 2025

      Hi Dan! Yes, that should be fine.

      Reply

  • Faith
    March 2, 2025

    I have used your recipe so many times and it is definitely a winner! My favorite “tweaks” are adding fresh basil(instead of parsley), a dash of old bay and adding in some smoked salmon. I have also subbed the panko for gluten free Pablo with no issues. We absolutely love this recipe and keep coming back for more. Thanks for sharing

    Reply

  • Colleen
    February 25, 2025

    I am soooo mad!! I made these tonight for dinner and they were outstanding!! But, and here it is, my boyfriend has never had the “canned salmon, saltines, onions and celery” salmon cakes before so he has noooo idea how much better these salmon cakes are lol. Thank you Natasha. I made hm tartar sauce too!

    Reply

  • SJ
    February 25, 2025

    Really easy and delicious! I have been looking for a good recipe that I could make when we are lucky enough to have salmon on hand. This is a keeper as is! I made a few bigger patties to have as salmon burgers. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  • Phyllis Lee
    February 21, 2025

    Hi Natasha: I am a nearly 85 years old and I have been wanting to try your recipe for sometime. I made it today….(however, for the ingredients I did not have the exact thing, I substituted)…and I literally kissed my fingers and threw you an awesome, awesome 5 star compliment. It was out of this world. I had to substitute: the garlic salt – I used fresh, the worstershire sauce, I used barbecue sauce and the mayonnaise, I used Miracle Whip….these were the things I had on hand.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 21, 2025

      Hi Phyllis! That’s so great to hear. Thank you so much for trying my recipe. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply

  • Veronica
    February 19, 2025

    Everyone loves these salmon patties. I make them without the veggies and butter and everyone from toddlers to adults enjoy them. I either use leftover baked salmon or freshly ground raw salmon.

    Reply

  • Cindy
    February 18, 2025

    I made these salmon cakes the other day. They are delicious and I will be making them again. The recipe was very easy to follow and they were very easy to make.

    Reply

  • Jennifer
    January 27, 2025

    I rarely leave recipe comments although I should. These were wonderfully delicious. I forgot the mayo. Not sure what I missed out on with that and doubled my recipe because I was using leftover salmon I cooked two nights ago. Absolutely amazing.

    Reply

  • Tammy
    January 27, 2025

    So freaking good, n I used can Salmon 🤷🏽‍♀️😁
    I was feeling super lazy, so I baked at 400 for 20 minutes. These are going to Pinterest board, so amazing, thank you for sharing😘

    Reply

  • May
    January 22, 2025

    Is the mayo necessary? I have a family member who doesn’t Iike mayo. Could you recommend a substitute?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 23, 2025

      Hello! You can try plain Greek yogurt, sour cream, avocado or hummus.

      Reply

  • Sarah
    January 19, 2025

    I have an egg intolerance, so would need to cook them in the oven (higher temp, longer) to denature the protein in the eggs and mayo. Have you tried a baked cooking method? Any suggestions for temp & time?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 19, 2025

      Hi Sarah! One of my readers reported good results baking them in the oven but did not share baking time/temp.
      Another reader baked them in the air fryer for 10 minutes at 400 and they turned out so crispy and golden.

      Reply

  • Jamie Golden
    January 16, 2025

    I was able to purchase fresh ground salmon to make these salmon cakes from our local seafood market. Do you think I still need to cook it first as stated in step 1?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 16, 2025

      I imagine you can skip that step since it fresh ground salmon but if you want to be cautious or prefer a firmer texture, you can follow the recipe’s instructions and cook the salmon briefly to give it that initial set.

      Reply

  • Kathryn Hadad
    January 10, 2025

    Love your recipes and your cute and funny style! Can these cakes be baked? If so, what temperature and for how long would you recommend?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 10, 2025

      Thank you for your lovely compliment, Kathryn! One of my readers reported good results baking but did not share the details on bake time and temperature. If you test it out that way, let me know how you like them baked.

      Reply

  • Amy
    January 7, 2025

    Added some smoked paprika, basil, thyme, onion powder, brown sugar, and a little cayenne pepper with the garlic and pepper to the salmon before cooking it. This was fabulous!

    Reply

  • Kimberly
    January 7, 2025

    Was delicious made it tonight for supper my husband and I loved salmon cakes & homemade tartar sauce the only change was ysed leeks instead of onions, my husband can’t eat onions Thanks Natasha! Love your cooking I have your cookbook

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 7, 2025

      Thank you so much, Kimberly!

      Reply

  • Kimberly
    January 7, 2025

    Made this tonight for supper except used leeks instead of onion, my husband can’t eat onions, we both loved salmon cakes & homemade tartar sauce thanks Natasha!

    Reply

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