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 some of my Best Salmon Recipes.
- 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
Hi Natasha, Hubby don’t like onions or peppers how much onions salt or powder can I substitute for the onion I know it sounds bland gotta try something.
Hi Teresa, I haven’t tested that so I can’t advise on amounts but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
Hi My Mom made salmon patties with the canned salmon as part of our weekly dinner. And I still make it and I am in my 60’s. 😊. Though the Mayo is something different which I might try,,, I also use scallions which add a good flavor.
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Marguerite 🙂
Can these be made the day before a party?
Hi Kathy! We enjoy them fresh but yes that should work. I reheat them on a skillet to crisp up the edges a bit. One of my readers reported good results with baking to reheat
LOVE this recipie- used it 3x since my admire post and I love seeing the numerous comments (notifications too) from people also enjoying it.
Using it again this Sunday dinner for an asparagus salmon cake bake.
Curious though as to where my comment/review disappeared to.
I’m so happy to hear that, Christopher! Thank you for sharing that with me! Also, remind me which recipe you left the original comment under?
Theses are delicious. Thank you for another great recipe..
You’re welcome, Daisy! I’m so happy you enjoyed it
I was craving crab cakes, and that’s when I stumbled upon this recipe. I’m not much of a cook, but I’ve recieved rave reviews everytime I’ve made these. Recipe is so simple but delicious.
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!.
Can this recipe be made with fish other than salmon?
Hi Nina, I don’t see why not! I hope you love this “fish” patties recipe 🙂
I LOVE this recipe. I also add a little chopped chili in adobe sauce for some kick – definitely recommend if you like the smokey flavour!
That’s so great, Kiki! Thank you for sharing this review with us!
Love ur video n recipes!!
How to choose what to make every day of the week?
Thanks Shirley
Hi Shirley! I’m so happy you are enjoying our blog!! That is a tough one isn’t it? so many options! 🙂 I hope you find what you are looking for!
Made these salmon patties for dinner today, whew……. they were outstanding. My wife doesn’t eat any meat, so fish is her only thing of substance in her diet. She was blown away. Thanks so much!
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, James 🙂
Can we add Plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonaise ?
Hi Carmen, here is what one of our readers posted, “I used greek yogurt instead of mayo, which worked very well” I hope that helps! 🙂
Natasha, we made these salmon patties last night following your recipe and they were superb. I set aside about 1/3 of the mix and added cayenne(we like spicy) and that gave it a flavorful character.
Oh, and I added just about a 1/4 wedge of fresh lemon juice to the mix too. Love your site!
That’s a great idea, Frank! Thank you for sharing that with me! I will have to try that!
I went to a gathering of friends this evening and decided to make a batch of these. There were compliments and requests for this recipe, so I sent out your link. These really are delicious and you’re right, the tartar sauce is so much better than store bought. Thanks Natasha!
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me :). I’m all smiles!
Hi Natasha, I love this recipe. Can I upload your recipe to my fitness pal (the link you have provided elsewhere on your site) so that I can get the nutritional information? The site is asking me if I have authorization from the recipe author to upload it to the my fitness pal recipe database.
Hi Miriam, yes that would be fine, but I also went ahead and added the nutrition info on this recipe for you. I hope you love these salmon patties!
Salmon patties are one of my favorites and these are the BEST! I’ve made them twice so far and they were even better the second time. I love your recipes and the way you present them. Thank you so much.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
I made these today. I did not have the red pepper or fresh parsley. I used jarred parsley and capers rinsed. This was fabulous. I can’t wait to make this with the red pepper!!! Thanks!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Absolutely delicious! Thank you for yet another perfect recipe!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Thank you for such a delicious recipe! I used canned salmon from Costco (3 cans) and they turned out perfectly!
That’s so great Laura!!
I made these tonight for dinner and they were fabulous. My husband keeps raving over how good they were. Thank you for another great recipe.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Can you substitute anything for mayonnaise? I am allergic but recipe looks great! Thank you
Hi Millie! I honestly haven’t experimented with any substitutions. Something like sour cream may work, but I just haven’t tested it to make a good recommendation. You might also substitute with a little olive oil for extra moisture. I’ve also seen people sub mayo with mashed avocado for a healthier substitute, but again, I haven’t tested it in this recipe.
Hi! I made salmon salad recipe (2 pounds) with wild caught Alaskan pink salmon canned yesterday. Super delicious…then I wanted salmon patties today so I tried your recipe from the existing salmon sals recipe. I used half off my salad recipe mix and added your ingredients. I added 2 tsps of Worcestershire and boy o boy that were out of this world the tastiest salmon patties I have ever made!!!!
Wow! That’s so great, Cindy! Thank you for that amazing feedback!