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.
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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.
How to Make Salmon Patties
- Cook the Veggies – Saute the onion and bell pepper in a pan for 7-9 minutes and then remove from heat.
- 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.
- 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.
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:
- Strawberry Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
- Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- Avocado Corn Salad
- Smashed Potato Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Oven Roasted Broccoli
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
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.
- #1 of all-time baked salmon recipe
- Honey Glazed Salmon
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon
- Teriyaki Salmon
- Tuscan Salmon
- Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter
Easy Salmon Patties Recipe
Ingredients
- 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
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
Can I use saltine crackers in place of panko bread crumbs
Hi Tammy! I haven’t tested saltine crackers so I can’t say for sure, but I think it will work.
These were absolutely delicious!! Added 1 T. Capers, because we love them with salmon. Worked beautifully!!
Thank you for your wonderful review, Colleen!
What can you substitute for the mayo. I don’t understand cooking mayo.
Hi Doreen! You can try Greek yogurt or sour cream.
Mayo is made out of eggs and oil and it just acts as a binder. It’s why people use it as a substitute for butter on the outside of grilled cheese sandwiches, because it makes the outside a beautiful golden brown. There is no issue with cooking mayo. It’s used all sorts of recipes and you can’t even tell that it’s in there or has been cooked.
I have made these salmon patties several times and they are always a hit with friends and family.
I’m not a fan of salmon patties, my husband loves them. What is a good sauce to use with them to make them better tasting?
Hi there! We really enjoy our homemade Tartar sauce recipe. It pairs well.
You can always make a garlic or Sriracha aïoli.
I just made your salmon patties recipe. I love the taste and how easy they were to make. The ingredients took some of the fishy taste away. I will make them again!
Please. This Recipe is for haw many people
Hi Elisa! See the top of the recipe card, it makes 14. I would say at least 2-3 per person but it depends on if you’re serving this as a main side or if you’ll have other sides.
This recipe makes 14 salmon patties?! Are they the size of a 50-cent piece? I’m a little confused… I usually get 5-6 patties out of similar recipes. Planning to make this tomorrow 🙂
Hello! They are smaller sized patties but feel free to adjust the size if you want to have bigger patties.
I have used this recipe so many times it’s almost memorized!! We make salmon patties, salmon burgers, and today I’m using it to make baked salmon meatballs with a savory cream sauce on top. It’s such a great and versatile recipe!
I love all of the creative ways you use this salmon patties recipe. Thank you for sharing your ideas!
Thank you so much for this recipe. My family really liked them. I have never made salmon cakes before.
Hi Simone! I’m so glad to hear your family loved them.
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
Hi Sue! I’m glad to hear they were enjoyed!
I made a salmon snapper pattie using your receipt as a guide. Fantastic!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Lorne!
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!
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
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.
Quick and easy with ingredients I have!
Hi, Natasha.
I just wanted to let you know that this Salmon Patties recipe is great.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Dee!
What was the sauce you used for salmon patties
Hi Alyce! It’s my Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe .
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 ❤️
Hello! You can try Plain greek yogurt or sour cream.
Sour Cream. Got it. Going to try this tonight. I like the idea of sautéing the veggies first.
These were delicious and super easy to make. Will definitely be making these again.
This was a simple, yummy recipe. The patties held their shape during frying.
Can I bake these instead of frying them? If so. What temperature and how long?
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!”