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
I made these tonight using leftover grilled salmon and they were delicious! I omitted garlic since I can’t eat it and added chopped celery to the onion/pepper sauté mixture. Outstanding!! Five stars!!
I’m glad to hear you love the recipe JoAnn! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review!
Have you ever tried making larver and doing fancy sandwiches? I had a salmon burger at a tea room that was fantastic! Im hoping to recreate it.
Hi Kelsey! I haven’t tried anything like what you are describing. It sounds great though!
I made these once before without the mayo and just added extra olive oil. I couldn’t remember if I used my chopper for the onions and pepper or my food processor. Last night I used my food processor and they turned out very different…much more moist. I also think I may have used whole wheat breadcrumbs instead of panko the first time. Thoughts on this? I want to make sure I get it right next time. Thanks!
Hi Christina, I suspect the food processor caused the veggies to release more juice than a food chopper would so that may be why they were more moist? I would suggest going with whatever method you prefer.
Just made them tonight as an alternative option during Sunday Night football and everybody loved them! A+
Do we know the calorie count per patty?
I’m glad to hear everyone enjoys the recipe! 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!
Looks amazing! Definitely going to make these this week. What would be a good side dish to make with these?
Hi Brenda, I think mashed potatoes and a fresh salad would go great with these.
So good!! These didn’t last long! I’ll for lunch the next day I heated some of the leftovers up and made tacos out of them, it was really good. I’ll be making these again for sure.
I’m glad you love them just as much as I do! Thanks for sharing your great review Melissa!
Hi Natasha, love your recipes just made the Salmon patties my husband and I loved them delicious. do you have a recipe for homemade tarter sauce?
Hi Tina, I sure do! Click here for the tartar sauce recipe (for future reference, it is linked above in the salmon patties recipe).
Hi Natasha, made the tartar sauce it was delicious. Thank you
You’re welcome Tina! I’m glad you like it! 🙂
My mom made salmon cakes when we were kids and they were a family favorite. Would this recipe work using smoked salmon from Costco?
Hi Delilah, I honestly have never tried using smoked salmon in salmon patties so I can’t say for sure. You might do some googling to see if anyone has tried that. Sorry I can’t be more helpful! P.S. Keep in mind, you would definitely have to watch the salt as smoked salmon is way more salty.
Hi Natasha, could you pls share the recipe for the tartar sauce? Tnx
Hello Nana! Here is the direct link to that recipe, I hope this helps! https://natashaskitchen.com/2012/02/04/tartar-sauce-recipe/
Best ever! and what makes them even easier, and (I believe) fresher tasting – skip sautéing the pepper and onion..No need!!! YUM!
I’m glad to hear how much you enjoy the recipe Terri! Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers!
Oh WOW! These things are delicious. I bought a Coho salmon looking to fillet it and smoke the chunks. I saw all the meat left after filleting and found your recipe. Well, while brining the chunks, I baked the remainder, then took the meat off the bones and made these salmon cakes. It’s hard to stop eating the salmon cakes. So delicious. I’ll take the remaining five to work tomorrow for lunch, with a salad, and be a very contented chef. Thanks, Natasha!
Moe (Maurice)
You’re welcome Moe! I’m so glad to hear how much you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your wonderful review!
SOunds amazing. I can’t wait to try.
They are super popular for good reason! Please let me know what you think Leigh!
If I use canned red salmon would I use two cans?
Hi Gram, please see the notes at the bottom of the print-friendly recipe for details on that substitution. Thanks! 😉
do other adjustments need to be made if you dont use red pepper? I dislike anything with peppers in it. Looking forward to making these
Hi Susan, I think it would work fine with omitting the red peppers without further changes.
I loved this recipe so much that I’m running out tonight to buy more ingredients to make it a second time, for company. It’s that good! All fresh and natural tasting, but so yummy at the same time! My new all-time favorite dish!!! Thank you!
You’re welcome! I’m happy to hear how much you love the recipe! Thanks for sharing your excellent review Jill!
I’ll bet you substitute salmon with lump crab in this same recipe and it would be delicious also!
Yes, that does sound great Joe! 🙂
Fantastic recipe! Tried once and it was super hit. Going to make it again today. Thanks for the recipe.
My pleasure Malar! I’m glad you enjoy it! Thanks for sharing your wonderful review!
Am going to make these
Please let me know what you think of the recipe Susie!
Thank you for the fantastic recipe. I made these over the weekend. They are delicious! My only change was to make them burger size (the recipe made 6 patties). I served them on toasted burger buns, with tarter and a slice of swiss. My husband, who doesn’t care for salmon, liked them so much we are adding them to our dinner rotation.
Wow, I’m glad to hear you both enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review Heidi!
Easiest recipe ever!!! And my goodness how delicious. Thank you soooo much for sharing!😎👌🏾
You’re welcome Antonio! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe so much! Thanks for sharing your wonderful review!