This Salmon Patties Recipe makes flaky, tender, and flavorful fritters with crisp edges and plenty of flaked salmon, the hallmark of the very best salmon patties. These are so easy to make with leftover cooked salmon or canned salmon and work great as an appetizer, side, or main dish.

Salmon Patties on a plate with tartar dipping sauce.

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Each week, my whole family gathers at my mom’s house for Sunday night dinner, potluck style. I love to bring easy-to-transport appetizers and sides, like my Jalapeno Poppers, Stuffed Mushrooms, and Grape Jelly Meatballs, that make it easy for a crowd of people to feast!

These Salmon Patties are perfect for our family meals since they travel well, stay crispy, and can be served using just your fingers (ok, you could also use a serving utensil, but that’s extra dishes!).

Easy Salmon Patties Recipe

My whole family loves to eat these easy salmon patties, especially served with my Homemade Tartar Sauce, and I love how easy it is to make!

If you’re looking to start with fresh salmon, you’ll love our Salmon Cakes Recipe, but this recipe for salmon patties is a smart way to make a quick batch on busy weeknights with either leftover cooked salmon or well-drained, canned salmon (or even salmon packets) which you may already have in your pantry.

These are such a treat, and even folks who don’t usually like salmon enjoy this recipe. They always disappear fast and are even faster to make.

Salmon patties recipe stacked on top of each other on a blue plate

How to Make Salmon Patties

  1. Cook the Veggies – Saute the onion and bell pepper in a pan for 7-9 minutes and then remove from heat.
  2. Mix the Patties – Mix salmon, peppers and onions, bread crumbs, egg, mayo, Worcestershire, garlic salt, pepper, and parsley in a large bowl. Then, use a heaping Tablespoon to measure the mixture and your hands to form patties.
  3. Cook the Patties – Melt oil and butter in a clean skillet, and place the salmon patties into the skillet in one layer, sauteeing each side for 3-4 minutes until browned. Place cooked patties on a paper-towel-lined plate, and then serve, garnished with fresh parsley.
Step by step how to make salmon patties

How to Serve Salmon Patties

You can also serve these salmon patties for lunch, dinner or appetizers – they are versatile and can even be served in Hamburger Buns as salmon burgers, simply form them a little larger in step 3. They also pair well with these dishes:

close up picture of salmon patties on a blue plate with tartar sauce for dipping

Make-Ahead

Cool any leftover salmon patties and store them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

  • To Refrigerate: place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing: freeze for up to 3 months
  • To Reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge. You can eat the patty cold or reheat in a skillet or air fryer until heated through
fish patties on a blue platter with dipping sauce and parsley

This recipe for Salmon Patties will soon become your favorite appetizer or main dish. The crispy outside and moist, flavorful inside work perfectly with my homemade tartar sauce. Try this easy recipe today!

More Easy Salmon Recipes

Once you have tried this Salmon Patties recipe, check out these other delicious Salmon Recipes.

Easy Salmon Patties Recipe

4.96 from 520 votes
A blue plate with Salmon cakes garnished with parsley and a small bowl of tartar sauce
These salmon patties are flaky, tender and so flavorful with crisp edges and big bites of flaked salmon. They are also super easy to make with leftover cooked salmon or canned salmon. These salmon patties always disappear fast! Serve with tartar sauce.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 14 salmon patties
  • 14-15 oz canned salmon or salmon in packets, well drained
  • 2 Tbsp Olive oil, divided
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 medium yellow onion, 1 cup, finely diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 Tbsp mayonnaise*
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic salt, or sub with 1/2 tsp fine sea salt and 1/4 tsp garlic powder, or season to taste
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup parsley, finely minced

Instructions

  • Set 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, bread crumbs, beaten eggs, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, black pepper, and 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 patties.

Notes

*You can substitute canned salmon with leftover cooked salmon. Be sure it’s boneless and skinless, and flake the salmon before using it in the recipe.
*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.
To 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

1patty Serving94kcal Calories3g Carbs7g Protein6g Fat2g Saturated Fat2g Polyunsaturated Fat2g Monounsaturated Fat0.1g Trans Fat40mg Cholesterol314mg Sodium134mg Potassium0.4g Fiber1g Sugar311IU Vitamin A8mg Vitamin C91mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Easy Salmon Patties Recipe
Serving Size
 
1 patty
Amount per Serving
Calories
94
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
6
g
9
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Trans Fat
 
0.1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Cholesterol
 
40
mg
13
%
Sodium
 
314
mg
14
%
Potassium
 
134
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
 
3
g
1
%
Fiber
 
0.4
g
2
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
7
g
14
%
Vitamin A
 
311
IU
6
%
Vitamin C
 
8
mg
10
%
Calcium
 
91
mg
9
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Salmon Patties, salmon patties recipe
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 94
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook
4.96 from 520 votes (189 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Simone
    March 22, 2025

    Thank you so much for this recipe. My family really liked them. I have never made salmon cakes before.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 22, 2025

      Hi Simone! I’m so glad to hear your family loved them.

      Reply

  • Sue
    March 17, 2025

    I I made the salmon patties with leftover salmon that I have smoked this recipe is definitely a keeper. They came out so good even my 13-year-old granddaughter thought that they were awesome. Thank you for this recipe and I also made your tartar sauce. It was very good. Definitely like the crunchy pickles in it thank you

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 17, 2025

      Hi Sue! I’m glad to hear they were enjoyed!

      Reply

  • Lorne
    March 15, 2025

    I made a salmon snapper pattie using your receipt as a guide. Fantastic!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 15, 2025

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Lorne!

      Reply

  • Rena
    March 12, 2025

    Just tried this recipe as written and it was absolutely delicious! Great flavor and texture. My husband loved it. I will definitely make this again. Thanks for another good one!

    Reply

  • Rose
    March 9, 2025

    Love these for Lent! I buy good salmon filets from the fish market and make them. Way better than canned salmon but more pricey. Worth it though

    Reply

  • Laura
    March 6, 2025

    For the first time super easy and quick. Unfortunately I bought canned salmon that wasn’t boneless skinless, but my patties still turned out super yummy! I will definitely be making these again.

    Reply

  • Ellen
    March 2, 2025

    Quick and easy with ingredients I have!

    Reply

  • Dee
    February 28, 2025

    Hi, Natasha.

    I just wanted to let you know that this Salmon Patties recipe is great.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 28, 2025

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Dee!

      Reply

  • Karen
    February 26, 2025

    Hi Natasha, I love your recipes, videos & sense of humor!
    My son doesn’t like mayonnaise. Can you suggest a replacement for the mayo?
    Thank you ❤️

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 27, 2025

      Hello! You can try Plain greek yogurt or sour cream.

      Reply

  • Cathy
    February 16, 2025

    These were delicious and super easy to make. Will definitely be making these again.

    Reply

  • Dorian
    February 5, 2025

    This was a simple, yummy recipe. The patties held their shape during frying.

    Reply

  • Janis Ann DeSanti
    February 1, 2025

    Can I bake these instead of frying them? If so. What temperature and how long?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 2, 2025

      Hi Janis! Here is what one of my viewers said, “I baked them in the oven at 425 for 25-to 20 min. I will certainly make this again!”

      Reply

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