Newfoundland Salt Cod Fish Cakes (Mom-in-Law’s Recipe)

These traditional Newfoundland salt cod fish cakes are made with some simple ingredients like salt cod, potato, onion, savoury and flour. They are a tasty, iconic dish of Newfoundland. Comforting and delicious, these easy fish cakes hit the spot every time!

When someone references a “fish cake” in Newfoundland it is pretty much assumed that it’s a salt fish cake. They are super popular here in the province and loved by my family.

Every year before Christmas hubby and I go to my mother-in-law’s home for salt cod fish cakes. It’s definitely a tradition we look forward to. 

Hubby usually helps his mother prepare them while I watch. This year, I decided to take my camera and photo all the action. 

So, this recipe for salt fish cakes is from my dear mother-in-law. I’m sure you will love them as much as we do!

What Is Salt Cod?

Salt cod is cod fish that has been preserved in salt and dried (traditionally, it was dried outside).

I have vivid memories growing up in rural Newfoundland and seeing people have their salt cod laid out drying in the sun. 

Years ago when refrigeration lacked, people would salt their fish out of necessity as a method of preserving so it would last longer. 

Cod is the fish in Newfoundland and for hundreds of years, a lot of the cod you would find in other parts of the world was supplied by this province.

Salt fish is probably eaten a little less these days than years ago, but it is definitely a traditional Newfoundland ingredient and enjoyed all over the province. For me, it’s a real treat and I usually associate it with Christmas.

What Is Salted Cod Used For?

While one of the most common uses for salt cod here in Newfoundland is salt fish cakes, another very popular Newfoundland recipe is fish and brewis. 

Fish and brewis (or a similar version called fisherman’s brewis) is basically salt fish simply mixed with potatoes, hard bread, pork fat and fried onion (and maybe a little drawn butter over top). My father makes fish and brewis every Christmas … perhaps I’ll share that one with you another time.

Other uses for salt cod is in stews or fritters. But, really, the possibilities are endless and all so tasty! These 14 ways to cook with salt cod shows just how versatile (and tasty) salt cod fish can be!

How To Soak Salt Cod

Because salt fish is coated in salt to preserve it, it definitely has to be soaked in water to remove excess salt. The fish pieces should be soaked skin side up (should the skin still be intact) in a large bowl of cold water. 

How Long To Soak It

The length of time you soak the salt fish will vary depending on:

• How heavily salted it is.
• How thick it is.
• Your salt preference.

Typically, for preparing salt cod for fish cakes soaking time can range from 12 to 24 hours (keeping in a cool place, like the refrigerator), and changing the water 1 to 2 times after the original water (drain water and replace with fresh, cold water).

Note: For this fish cake recipe, the salt fish was thicker and my mom-in-law soaked it for 12 hours and changed the water once after the original pot of water.

How To Cook It

After soaking the salt fish, it has to be cooked. Typically, the salt fish is placed in a large pot of boiling water and boiled anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes (depending on how thick the pieces of fish are).

When the fish is cooked, taste the water and fish for saltiness. What you are looking for is the water to be a tad salty, but not overly so. You want the water to be slightly saltier than water you would have for, say, salted water for pasta.

Also, if the salt fish tastes overly salty, take some water out of the pot and replace with fresh water. Bring to a boil and cook a few more minutes. After cooking, you want it to flake easily.

Note: Keep in mind that there is no more salt added to this recipe. So, if your salt cod is just a tad salty after preparing, that is okay because it will be combined with the mashed potatoes.

How To Prepare Once It’s Soaked and Cooked

After the salt fish has been soaked and cooked, drain the water. Then, let it cool long enough so you can handle it. Once cool enough to handle, remove skin and all bones. Larger bones can be removed with a fork (as below), but you still need to pick through the fish to remove smaller bones.

Note: Different parts of the cod fish may have more or less bones than other parts. Ensure that all bones are removed before proceeding with making the salt fish cakes.

This is what a small bone would look like. Remove those from the cod and discard.

How To Make Fish Cakes With Salt Cod

Now, the fun part: fish cakes! A little bit of planning is involved to make salt cod fish cakes (mainly because the fish has to be soaked to remove excess salt), but other than that these traditional Newfoundland salt fish cakes are easy!

Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:

1. Boil soaked salt fish in a pot of water for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Drain salt cod and let cool slightly. Remove skin and bones.
3. Boil potatoes in a pot of water, drain and let cool slightly. Roughly mash (don’t overwork your potatoes).
4. In a pot or bowl, mix salt fish with mashed potatoes, onion, savoury, pepper and flour.
5. Portion the salt cod/potato mixture for your fish cakes (a round ice-cream scoop works great here).
6. Form into patties.
7. Dredge fish cake patties in a little flour.
8. Working in batches, heat some vegetable oil or canola oil in a skillet and fry the fish cakes until they’re golden brown on both sides.
9. Enjoy!

Note: For this recipe, a round ice-cream scoop was used and the fish cakes were left on the thicker side. They were roughly 60 to 65 grams per fish cake.

This recipe yields about 32 to 36 fish cakes. If you make your fish cakes smaller or larger, the quantity you yield will vary. Make them whatever size pleases you!

Can I Freeze Fish Cakes?

Yes, absolutely! 

Every year when we have fish cakes at my mom-in-law’s we always take some to go. Because my mother-in-law is so generous, she basically gives us almost everything that’s left. We end up enjoying some the next day and freezing the rest. 

To freeze, simply place cooled fish cakes onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet and freeze for a half hour or so (so you don’t mush them when you seal them). Then, place in vacuum sealer bags, seal (per vacuum sealer instructions) and freeze. Alternatively, place the fish cakes in freezer-safe bags or freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 to 3 months.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight when ready to enjoy. Once thawed, fry in a pan (greased with some cooking oil) on the stovetop over medium-low to medium heat until heated through. Another option is to bake in the oven on a sheet pan at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through.

What To Serve With Fish Cakes

These fish cakes are super rich and savoury and a meal all on their own, but if you want to serve something with it, try any of these:

• Molasses (so good, especially if you’re a fan of sweet and salty combos)
• Mustard pickles
• Chutney
• Lemon wedge
• Green salad
• Homemade baked beans
• Poached egg (so good for breakfast!)

Tips for Making This Recipe

• Besides the flour to dredge the salt cod fish cakes, about a heaping tablespoon is used to bind them. Just use enough until it comes together.
• Don’t overwork your potatoes or salt fish cake mixture. You don’t want to make your potatoes gummy.
• Use your grocery’s scale to weigh the quantity of potatoes you need for this recipe (if you don’t have a scale at home).
• Because the salt level of salt fish can vary, your soak time will be anywhere from 12 to 24 hours and boil time will be about 15 to 20 minutes. Plus, everyone’s preference for salt varies. Soak and boil the salt fish to what suits you.
• Ensure the pan is over medium heat. You don’t want the temperature too low that the fish cakes soak up all the oil immediately, but you don’t want the temperature too high that the flour burns. You want a decent about of oil in the pan (about 2 to 3 tablespoons per batch). They will fry up nice and golden brown and get all those yummy crispy bits (my favourite)!
• Don’t overcrowd your pan when cooking the fish cakes. Work in batches.

Recipe Variations

• If you can’t find savoury where you are, replace with dried thyme or marjoram (or a mixture of the two). I would suggest starting with a little less than 2 tablespoons because I find those more potent than savoury.
• For a binder, my mother-in-law uses a little flour for these salt fish cakes. Another option is to mix in a whisked egg instead.
• If you aren’t a fan of raw onion, you can cook the onion in a little cooking oil or butter until tender. Then, add to the fish cakes.

Like these salt cod fish cakes? You may enjoy these other traditional Newfoundland recipes: cod au gratin and cod tongues.

If you’d love to see more traditional Newfoundland recipes, please let me know!

If you make these traditional Newfoundland fish cakes, be sure to leave a comment below!