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
Just finished forming the patties. They look and smell wonderful. Can these be frozen prior to cooking? I didn’t think so due to the eggs and mayo but thought I’d check for next time.
Hi Chris, I haven’t tried freezing them before cooking. I think it could work but I’m not 100% sure. Has anyone else tried freezing these uncooked? Thanks in advance! 🙂
You can freeze raw egg and every other ingredient, so why not? I would try it.
Yummy! Made them twice and shared…moist and waayyy better than plain salmon patties I grew up with. Like making salmon salad, just adding breadcrumbs and sauteing. Thanks for the delish recipe and video!
You’re welcome Kim! I’m glad to hear how much you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review!
These were excellent! I made the tarter sauce, too. It made a great lunch with a small salad.
Hi Celeste, I’m so glad you loved the recipe!! 🙂
Hi Natasha! Thank you for your marvelous recipes! Can I omit the bread crumbs?
Hi Marwa, I haven’t tried omitting the bread crumbs so I’m not sure. I think it’s worth an experiment or you might try gluten free bread crumbs if that is the concern.
Maybe a little half-cooked rice. It needs something to help absorb the moisture.
Hi Natasha!
Wonderful recipe! Had leftover cooper salmon. I chopped up some baby bok choy, fresh garlic, and muticolor mini bellpepers. Followed your instructions and bam! What a delightful dish😋 Instead of tartar sauce, I whipped up Sarachi mayo. It was so good and easy. Thank you for sharing this Fabulous recipe❤
MMM wow that sounds like an amazing meal! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review 🙂
I am on weight watchers. Do you know how many you can eat and how many smart points they are.
Hi Sylvie, unfortunately I’m not familiar with the points system. I’m sorry I’m not much help with your question!
Can I replace bread crumbs for cauliflower? Trying to avoid the bad carbs.
Hi Maria, I haven’t tried that but I think it’s worth an experiment! 🙂
Looks delish! What is the dipping sauce?
Hi Sally, that is a homemade tartar sauce. Click here for the recipe 🙂
Wow, these were Scrumptilicious !, I followed the recipe x3 (3lbs.of salmon etc.) so we can have them for breakfast, lunch & dinner… YES! Let them eat Salmon Cakes !
I’ll be back into your kitchen for some more delicious non-drama recipes, Thank you Natasha !
That’s great Danny! I’m happy to hear how much you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your excellent review! 😀
Have you ever made them into balls (like meatballs) instead of patties for an appetizer?
Hi Joannie, I haven’t only because it is easier to sautee when there are 2 sides versus a ball. I think it could work fine 🙂
I think I will try making them into balls and baking them like I do my meatballs. It’s worth a try.
Please let me know how they turn out Joannie!
Thank you for the video and sharing this recipe! I will have to make these cakes. Sounds so good! Love salmon cakes! We also make sandwiches out of the patties. Thanks again!
My pleasure Allison! They are popular for good reason! Please let me know what you think. 🙂
Just made these this evening and they were AMAZING ! Thank you for the recipe !
You’re welcome Andreea! I’m glad you love the recipe! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I am on a ketogenic eating plan
What can be substituted for Pablo crumbs? What about almond or coconut flour?
Hi Sheila, I haven’t tried those substitutions but it’s probably worth an experiment! 🙂
I love this recipe. I made it for my family Sunday dinner and it was a hit! I’ll be featuring your recipe in a blog post I wrote reviewing a fish grill basket- I’ll be sure to use your hashtag!
Awesome! I’m glad to hear you love the recipe! Thanks for sharing the recipe and your great review! 😀
Made these for dinner. Super yummy. We will definitely be making them again. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
You’re welcome Tara! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your great review!
I have fried all and put a portion in the freeze for use later. That works well for me. In fact the flavors seem more intense. I always use wild sockeye salmon.
Thank you for sharing with other readers!
I made these using canned tuna. The best tuna patties I ever made!
Awesome! I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Looks delicious must try this weekend
They are very popular for good reason! Please let me know what you think Antonio!
I love this recipe. The only thing I changed was the mayo and red pepper. I didn’t have regular mayo so I used Kraft Avocado Mayo and a yellow pepper instead of the red pepper.
I’m going to make Natasha’s Cucumber, Tomato, Avocado salad also and serve with the Samon Cakes.
Thank you Natasha for sharing your passion with everyone. I love, love, love the videos. Again, thank you!
It’s really my pleasure Elisa! I’m happy to hear you enjoy this recipe! Thanks for following and sharing your fantastic review!
Hi! Just made to taste before a party next week and it was delicious! Can I refrigerate or freeze after combining all ingredients and tsauté patties at later date?
Thanks!!
Hi Janet, I imagine cooked patties would freeze well but I’m not sure if the patties would fall apart or not if they are frozen before cooking. If you experiment, let me know how it goes 🙂
Would like to make the salmon cake can you give me the nutritional info
Due to time constraints, I don’t typically include nutritional info, but check out this nutrition analyzer – you can plug in the ingredients from any recipe, select the serving size and it will give you nutritional info, calories, etc. I hope that is helpful to you Debbie!