These old-fashioned salmon patties using canned salmon are prepared quickly and are super delicious! With dill, lemon and garlic, they’re flavourful and can be enjoyed as is or with a simple side salad.
Hi friends!
It’s no surprise that I love fish cakes!
After all, I am a Newfoundlander and salt cod fish cakes are pretty much a staple around here.
Today, though, instead of cod, we’re using canned salmon to make incredibly easy and delicious old-fashioned salmon patties (also known as “salmon cakes” or “salmon croquettes.”
They can be whipped up in no time at all and cook quickly.
They’re a great way to take a pantry staple and make it extra special.
And they don’t have a bunch of unnecessary filler. These are loaded with salmon goodness.
Once you give them a try, you’ll love them too!
And if you want to really treat yourself (because why not?), enjoy these salmon cakes for brunch with a poached egg and hollandaise (and plenty of tea or coffee, of course).
How To Make Salmon Patties
Full details on how to make salmon patties (or salmon cakes) are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- In a bowl, combine salmon, flour, egg, mayonnaise, green onion, lemon juice, dill, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper and salt. Mix to incorporate everything.
- Use a round ice cream scoop to form the salmon mixture into balls.
- Gently press each ball down to form into patties. Place on a plate or sheet pan while you are using up all of the mixture.
- Gently coat each patty in cornmeal, brushing off excess (place on a plate or sheet pan while you are coating all of them).
- Heat some vegetable oil or avocado oil in a skillet and fry the patties.
- Once golden brown on one side, gently flip to cook the other side.
How To Keep Salmon Patties From Falling Apart
Egg, mayonnaise and flour are great binders here in these salmon cakes. I always like to start with a small amount of flour and add a little more if needed.
You can form into patties and refrigerate for about 30 minutes before frying too. If you’re pinched for time, just form and fry (which is what I did here and usually do anyway).
Though they should be handled gently when formed into patties (because they’re filled mostly with salmon versus filler) once fried, they hold their shape beautifully.
All thriller, very little filler. That’s how I roll!
Do I Have To Use Cornmeal?
Not at all!
Cornmeal adds a little texture to these patties, but you don’t have to use it if you don’t want to.
Alternatively, you can dust them with a little flour or coat with some panko instead.
Tips and Variations
- Make sure your canned salmon is well-drained before mixing everything up. Otherwise, you’ll have a difficult time binding everything together.
- Cans of salmon vary in size. If your cans of salmon are smaller (or larger) than the ones used here, just use less (or more) canned salmon (as well as other ingredients required to make these).
- Dried dill weed was used, but if you can sub with a little fresh dill if you have on hand. You’ll just need to use more, as dried is more potent than fresh (typically three times the amount of fresh to dried).
- Don’t have green onion? Used minced chives or finely minced yellow onion instead. Keep in mind that yellow onion will leave more of a pronounced onion flavour than green onion or chives, so you may want to use a little less.
Sides To Serve With Fish Cakes
Enjoy these salmon cakes as is or with any of these delicious side dishes:
- Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Crispy Potato Wedges
- Winter Green Salad With Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
- Garlicky Green Beans
- Celeriac Puree
If you make these old-fashioned salmon patties, be sure to leave a comment below!
Old-Fashioned Salmon Patties (Using Canned Fish)
Ingredients
- 3 (5-ounce or 142-gram) cans pink salmon (boneless and skinless), drained
- 4 to 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, whisked
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons chopped green onion
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon dried dill (dill weed)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup cornmeal, approximately
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or avocado oil, to fry
Serving Suggestions (optional)
- Lemon wedges
- Tartar sauce
- Dijon mustard
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the drained salmon with flour, egg, mayonnaise, green onion, lemon juice, dill, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper and salt until well combined.Note: Start with ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) of flour first and see how everything sticks together before adding more.
- Form into patties. To do this, I like to use a standard round ice cream scoop or about ¼ cup per salmon cake. Shape each portion into a ball, then gently form into patties. Be gentle as they're delicate before frying.
- Spread cornmeal onto a plate and coat salmon patties, gently brushing off excess.
- To cook salmon patties, heat vegetable oil or avocado oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add patties to skillet. Cook patties for 3 minutes on one side.
- Flip patties to the other side and continue to cook for another 3 minutes or until the outside is golden brown and they're cooked through.
- Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, a dollop of Dijon mustard and/or hot sauce (if desired). Enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure your canned salmon is well-drained before mixing everything up. Otherwise, you’ll have a difficult time binding everything together.
- Cans of salmon vary in size. If your cans of salmon are smaller (or larger) than the ones used here, just use less (or more) canned salmon (as well as other ingredients required to make these).
- Dried dill weed was used, but if you can sub with a little fresh dill if you have on hand. You’ll just need to use more, as dried is more potent than fresh (typically three times the amount of fresh to dried).
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
Fish patties are just delightful, aren’t they? Especially when you can make them from such a pantry staple – perfect timing, my friend! I hope you’re enjoying your weekend with some lovely food!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yes!! Thanks Alexandra! Have a lovely weekend!
Valentina
Loving the idea of cracking an egg over these delicious cakes. What a great breakfast that would be — or lunch or dinner. 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Right?? Thanks Valentina!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
Salmon croquettes were one of the first things my mother showed me how to cook. Lots of memories…thank you.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
So sweet! That’s awesome, Karen 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven
Dawn! We have so much canned salmon, we’re making this immediately! I even happen to have some green onions in the fridge 😉 Love these crispy little patties for a lunch or dinner!! Happy weekend to you! XO
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Woo hoo! Hope you enjoy!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Perfect for those Friday nights during Lent Dawn. Love how easy these are too. I also love the dill and lemon additions. Pinned!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
For sure! Thanks Mary Ann!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
This is such a great recipe – especially right now! There’s no reason we can’t still eat well, even if we can’t get out and about on a regular basis and this recipe i a great one to make with what you already have at home! 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you, Kathy! I agree 🙂
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
These sound delicious! I love that there’s dill in there too; dill and salmon are so perfect together! I’m adding this to my must-try list right now!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thanks Kelsie! Enjoy 🙂
Marissa
Amazing to start with a can of salmon and end up with such an elegant (and delicious!) meal. Love this, Dawn!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks a bunch, Marissa!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
I have always loved fish cakes, so I know I would love these salmon ones! A fabulous pantry meal 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Me too! Thanks Jennifer 🙂
Ashlyn @ F5 Method
I have really fond memories of my grandma and mom making salmon patties! As much as I love fresh food, I’ll always make an exception for some canned salmon in patties! 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
So lovely! Canned salmon is just so versatile 🙂
David @ Spiced
I’m thinking these salmon patties would be great over salad! We’ve been eating a ton of greens for lunches lately (maybe it’s the arrival of spring?), and we’ve been hunting for ways to mix it up each day. A salmon patty on top would be a fun way! And the cornmeal coating looks absolutely delicious, too.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yes!! Thank you, David 🙂