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These salmon patties are flaky, tender and so flavorful. The crisp edges and big bites of flaked salmon are the hallmark of these salmon patties. They are the real deal! It’s no wonder these salmon cakes have been so popular (read the glowing reviews here).
This is an easy and excellent way to use leftover salmon and it is worth it to cook the salmon just for this (instructions below). For busy weeknights, you can substitute with well-drained canned salmon or the salmon in packets which you may already have in your pantry!
I hope you all love these salmon patties and the easy homemade tartar sauce that goes with them.
Watch How to Make Salmon Patties:
These salmon patties are such a treat and even folks who don’t normally like salmon enjoy this recipe. They always disappear fast!
P.S. Serve salmon cakes with this irresistible homemade tartar sauce. P.S. Once you try homemade and realize how easy it is, there’s just no going back to store-bought tartar sauce. It is so much better in every way!
⬇ Print-Friendly Salmon Patties Recipe:
Salmon Patties Recipe (VIDEO)
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh salmon filet*
- 3 Tbsp Olive oil, divided
- 1 1/2 tsp Garlic salt, I used Lawry's Brand, to taste
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper, or to taste
- 1 medium yellow onion, 1 cup, finely diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup parsley, finely minced
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 425˚F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment or silicone liner. Place salmon in the center, skin-side-down, drizzle with olive oil, and season with garlic salt and black pepper. Bake uncovered for 10-15 min (depending on thickness), or just until cooked through. Remove from oven, cover with foil, and rest for 10 min. Flake salmon with 2 forks discarding skin and any bones then set aside and cool to room temp.
- Heat a medium skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1 Tbsp butter. Add diced onion and bell pepper and saute until golden and softened (7-9 minutes) then remove from heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flaked salmon, sautéed pepper and onion, 1 cup bread crumbs, 2 beaten eggs, 3 Tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Stir to combine. Form into patties (about a heaping Tablespoonful each) and mold with your hands into 2" wide by 1/3 to 1/2" thick patties.**
- In a clean non-stick pan, heat 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter until hot then add salmon patties in a single layer. Saute for 3 to 4 min per side or until golden brown and cooked through. If salmon patties brown too fast, reduce heat. Remove finished patties to a paper-towel-lined plate and repeat with remaining oil, butter, and salmon cakes.
Notes
**Cook's Tip: If the salmon mixture is too dry to hold a patty shape, add an extra tablespoon of mayo and if it is too moist, add more bread crumbs. --Store Leftovers - Cool and place salmon patties in an airtight container. Refrigerate for 3 days or freeze for 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and then eat cold, or reheat in a skillet or air fryer until warmed.
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
That pretty blue serving platter can be found here. I have these in different sizes and colors. I love their bold colors and how sturdy and chip resistant Fiestaware is – meant to last a lifetime.
You can serve these for lunch, dinner, appetizers – they are so versatile and these salmon patties can even be used in sandwiches as salmon burgers, just form them a little larger. And if you LOVE salmon recipes, don’t miss our #1 of all time baked salmon recipe!
Q: Have you tried these yet? Let me know what you thought of them in a comment below.
Have a memorable and happy 4th of July!! 🙂 The 4th just happens to be my husbands birthday so if you’re on Instagram that day, feel free to flood his page with happy birthday wishes. Thanks friends!
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
I made this tonight for the first time and served it with baked Parmesan zucchini and salad. It is defiantly a keeper. So delicious and very easy to prepare.
Yum, that sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers Rebecca!
I put some dijon mustard in. Great!
Great idea Barbara! Thanks for sharing! 😊
Ill be making these again tonight and they are delicious! We use a little fresh lemon squeezed over the top paired with the homemade tarter sauce…amazing! Thank you for such a quick and easy recipe!
You are very welcome Bre and thank you for the great review 😀
My husband and I LOVED these and your tarter sauce with them. He told me to just get rid of any other salmon patty recipe because this will be the go-to recipe from now on! We cut the recipe in half and just used one can of Kirkland salmon and it was perfect for 8 little patties. Well done and thank you!
You’re welcome Nancy! I’m glad to hear you both enjoy the recipe so much! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review with other readers!
I mixed this recepie and cooked it for supper tonight. All I can say is it was delicious. Look forward to having it again soon. I used fresh salmon and cooked fresh deep fried squash.
I’m happy to hear how much you enjoy the recipe Jerry! Thanks for sharing your wonderful review!
Turned out GREAT! Used yellow pepper instead of red to add a little extra sweetness to complement the salmon, omitted half the white onion and added 3 green onions mostly because I really never have parsley but always have green onion, and the green onion are a little more subtle. Also used 2tbl of mayo instead of 3 and 1 whole egg and two egg whites to reduce the calories. Great recipe, thx for sharing.
You’re welcome Ryan! I’m glad to hear you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers!
Tried this to night great and the tarter cause was great. Used can salmon next time fresh.
I’m glad you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing Nancy!
They’ve been made here in Eastern Kentucky for as long as I can remember. We call them Salmon Patties. Growing up we bought a can of salmon. They are great with a big pot of macaroni and tomatoes!
Yum, that sounds great Jim!
Hi Natasha, I definitely will use your recipe one day soon. They look delicious and like the idea using bites size patties. Thought to add some dills. I will snap a picture and send it to you. Thank you for sharing Natasha.
Hello Natalie! This recipe is popular for good reason, I hope you love it! Please let me know what you think!
Can these be frozen before they are cooked?
Hi Jaye, I haven’t tried freezing before cooking, but I think it would be a great experiment! If you try it out, let me know 🙂
Did you try to freeze these? That was something I was wondering too!
What dipping sauce did you serve it with? it looks delicious!!
I use tartar sauce and the recipe is linked/mentioned in this recipe! I hope you love it!
Hi Natasha……….I tried the fresh salmon patties tonight and they are delicious. I intend to make them again and freeze, will let you know!!! I’m sure they will be just the same.
Thanks so much
You’re welcome Avi! I’m glad they are a hit! Thanks for sharing your review and please keep me posted!
Hi Natasha, these look great! I was wondering how well do they reheat and how to reheat them.
Thanks
Hi Jana, they are also very good at room temperature or reheating on a skillet works well 🙂
Just made these for the second time and had to come on and say thank you, Natasha! This recipe is absolutely delicious! So simple, too.
You’re welcome Philana! I’m glad to hear how much you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing!
I ran across this recipe today, but didn’t have any fresh salmon on hand. But, I did have a can of boneless / skinless salmon. Was an amazing lunch! Can’t wait to try it with a good piece of fresh salmon.
Awesome! I’m glad to hear that Annette! Thanks for sharing!
We loved these, there were leftovers, so I crumbled them up added mayo and green onion for sandwiches.
I’m happy to hear that Florence! Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers!
They were delicious! I also loved the homemade sauce.
I’m glad you enjoy the recipe Jean! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I made the salmon patties tonight and they were fantastic!!!! Definitely one of my favourites 😁👍
I’m happy to hear that Jan! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Can these be made in advance and cooked the next day?
Hi Cynthia, yes I think that would work fine if you formed the patties then covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight.
I have a bunch of Red Snapper in my freezer that I believe would be good for this. Instead of frying, thinking about doing in a 425 oven on a rack. Any ideas about using Snapper and this method of cooking?
Hi, I think it could work fine to substitute for a different kind of fish. One of my readers reported good results baking but I haven’t heard back with the details on bake time and temperature. If you test it out that way, let me know how you like it.