Canned Salmon Patties

If you grew up in the South, chances are you ate salmon patties pretty regularly. Or maybe fish sticks like my kids had once a week!

You can call them salmon croquettes or salmon cakes if it makes you feel better about eating salmon from a can, but the shape is that of a hamburger patty, so we always call them patties.

These days, busy weeknights mean you need an easy recipe using simple ingredients to get food on the table fast, and this easy salmon patties recipe fits the criteria perfectly. It’s just what you need to make the entire family happy.

My recipe for salmon patties is simple—grab a can of salmon, add an egg, some finely minced onion, a little bread crumbs, or saltine cracker crumbs, and that’s it.

And I promise, you don’t need expensive fresh salmon—canned works just fine! Best of all, you still get the heart-healthy omega-3 fats from canned salmon.

After you make this recipe, you’ll keep canned salmon as a pantry staple! But if you do have leftover fresh salmon, you can certainly use that in this recipe. My favorite salmon recipe makes great leftovers.

What you’ll need for canned salmon patties

For full ingredient amounts and instructions, please scroll down to the printable recipe card.

• canned salmon
• eggs
• onion
• bread crumbs or saltine crackers
• salt and pepper to taste
• vegetable oil

Tools

• frying pan
• wide spatula

How to make salmon cakes with canned salmon

Step 1. Prepare the salmon. Drain the canned salmon and pick out the round backbones and larger pieces of skin.

**Cook’s Tip: The bones are soft and will incorporate into the fish so don’t worry if you miss some.

Step 2. Mix ingredients. Put the fish in a large bowl and add eggs, onion, bread crumbs, and salt and pepper.

Step 3. Form patties. Mix everything together until well blended, then form into patties.

**Cook’s Tip: I usually get 8 or 9 uncooked patties out of 2 cans of salmon. You don’t want to make them too large in diameter or thickness, or they won’t cook as quickly. You can store the patty mixture in the refrigerator if you want to make the recipe ahead.

Step 4. Fry salmon patties. I like to lay the patties on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or a plate and place it right beside the stove. These salmon patties don’t take long to cook, so you’ll want to have them ready to go before you start cooking.

Pour oil into a large cast-iron skillet and heat on medium-high heat.

Place salmon patties in a pan and fry for about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crisp.

Salmon patties recipe substitutions or additions

• garlic powder
• seasoning like Old Bay
• red bell pepper
• fresh herbs
• almond flour
• lemon zest
• egg substitute

What to pair with this salmon patty recipe

I usually serve my Southern salmon patties with something simple, like my Stovetop Mac and Cheese, or just some Green Beans. And you can never go wrong with Old-Fashioned Fudge Pie for dessert!

You can also use these patties to make salmon burgers and serve with toasted buns. Add a little hot sauce and some green onion to your burger for variety!

If you’d like to make a dipping sauce for the salmon patties, I recommend something like Comeback Sauce or a spicy Remoulade, tartar sauce, or this amazing Jalapeno Mayo that we’ve recently discovered. And you can never go wrong with chopped green onions, fresh dill, or a little lemon zest–although now we’re getting a little fancy.

Our go-to sauce has always just been Heinz Ketchup. And I like malt vinegar too, although my husband does not. My sons always add hot sauce.

But really, you don’t need anything fancy here. No homemade ketchup. Just don’t.

How to store leftover canned salmon patties

You can use an airtight container to store any leftovers in the fridge, but I prefer to eat the salmon cakes immediately after cooking.

How to freeze salmon cakes with canned salmon

It’s best to freeze your salmon cakes before cooking so you won’t lose the fried crispness in the freezer.

Spread the salmon patties out on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for several hours until the patties are frozen. Wrap the patties in plastic wrap and then place them inside a large freezer bag.

When ready to use the frozen salmon patties, remove them from the freezer and allow them to thaw, then cook as described above.

Salmon patties recipe FAQs

Can you cook salmon patties in the air fryer?

Yes, you can. Spray the air fryer basket with oil, and spray each side of the salmon patties with oil. Cook on 400 for 8-10 minutes.

For more delicious recipes, check out our Fish section here.

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