Old-fashioned salmon patties recipe made with canned salmon is a quick and budget-friendly meal that’s been a staple in Southern kitchens for generations. With simple ingredients and crispy golden edges, these salmon patties come together in no time, making them perfect for busy weeknights. Our recipe has been a reader favorite for more than ten years, and we’ve got all the tips to help you get the best texture and flavor every time.

Amazing recipe, taste just like grandmas! My picky four year old fell in love, two thumbs up!

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salmon patties on a plate

Why this recipe is awesome

If you grew up in the South, you probably ate salmon patties 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 canned salmon patties recipe fits the criteria perfectly. It’s just what you need to make the entire family happy.

We have tested this salmon patties recipe many times and found the best version is the simplest (and the way my Granny made it): Grab a can of salmon, add an egg, some finely minced onion, a few bread crumbs or saltine cracker crumbs, and that’s it. And I promise, you don’t need expensive fresh salmon — canned works just fine. You can have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes.

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 slow-roasted salmon recipe makes great leftovers.

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I hope you make this recipe. I think you’ll love it!

Four salmon patties on a plate with lemon wedges and parsley garnish.

How to make salmon patties

We’ll go through all the steps so you can see just how easy it is to make these canned salmon patties.

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.

bowls of chopped onion canned salmon and bread crumbs

Mix ingredients.

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

eggs and breadcrumbs in a clear bowl with canned salmon

Form patties.

Mix everything until well blended, then form into patties.

**Cook’s Tip: My recipe testing found that 8 or 9 uncooked patties out of 2 cans of salmon is standard. 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 to make the recipe ahead.

baking sheet of formed patties ready to cook

Fry salmon patties.

I like laying the patties on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or a plate and placing them 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.

cast iron skillet with salmon patties and a spatula

Drain and serve.

Drain the patties on paper towels for a few minutes before serving. I like to add zing with some red wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice sprinkled on top, but the rest of my family is happy with just ketchup or some homemade comeback sauce.

two salmon patties on a white plate with a spoon dripping comeback sauce
fork with food on a plate

Air fryer salmon patties

To cook canned salmon patties in the air fryer, spray the basket with oil and each side of the patties with oil. Cook on 400 for 8-10 minutes.

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4.73 from 55 votes

Canned Salmon Patties

Salmon patties are a delicious and economical way to feed your family.
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Save This Recipe

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 2 14.75 oz. cans pink or red salmon
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 onion, finely minced
  • ½ cup bread crumbs or crushed Saltine cracker crumbs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons Canola oil

Instructions 

  • Drain salmon and pick out round backbones and larger pieces of skin.
  • Put salmon in a large bowl and add eggs, onion, bread crumbs, and salt and pepper. Mix together until well blended then form into patties. I usually get 8 or 9 out of 2 cans of salmon.
  • Pour oil into skillet and heat on medium-high heat. Place patties in pan and fry about 3 minutes on each side, until well browned and crisp.
  • Drain on paper towel lined plate for a few minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

Expert Tips for Making the Best Salmon Patties
  • Try to pick out the larger round bones and extra skin.
  • The bones are soft so if you miss some don’t worry. They will blend in with the fish.
  • Salmon patties should be about three inches in diameter and not too thick to ensure even cooking.
  • Mix and form all patties before heating the oil or beginning the cooking process. 
  • Have your salad or sides ready so that you can serve the salmon patties immediately. 
How to Freeze Salmon Patties
  • Freeze before cooking.
  • Spread the salmon patties out on a parchment-paper lined baking sheet.
  • Place the baking sheet in the freezer for several hours until the salmon patties are frozen. 
  • Wrap the salmon patties in plastic wrap and then place inside a large freezer bag. 
  • When ready to use the frozen salmon patties, remove from freezer and allow to thaw then cook as described above. 

Nutrition

Serving: 4servings, Calories: 137kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 65mg, Sodium: 142mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g
Course: Fish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 137
Keyword: how to make salmon patties, salmon patties, Southern salmon patties
Leave a comment and ★★★★★ rating below!

Update Notes: This post was originally published on January 25, 2011, and on February 21, 2025, was updated with one or more of the following: step-by-step photos, video, updated recipe, and new tips.

Tips and reader questions

What to serve with salmon patties

We like to keep this a simple and easy meal, so our go-to sides are Stovetop Mac and Cheese and Green Beans. 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!

What’s a good sauce for salmon patties?

If you’d like to make a dipping sauce for the salmon patties, I recommend something like Comeback Sauce, tartar sauce, or this amazing Jalapeno Mayo.

Our favorite sauce has always been Heinz Ketchup. I like malt vinegar, too, although my husband does not. My sons always add hot sauce.

Can you freeze salmon patties?

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 until the patties are frozen. Wrap the patties in plastic wrap and 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

How should you store salmon patties?

Any leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. The salmon patties are best eaten within 1-2 days. They can be reheated in the air fryer for crispness.

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About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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Recipe Rating




4.73 from 55 votes (39 ratings without comment)

25 Comments

  1. About twelve years ago. Bumblebee Salmon pouch had a recipe for salmon patties and sauce on the back of the pouch . I would love to find it.

  2. 5 stars
    I thought my recipe was good, but I tried this one and it was really good. I added about half teaspoon of garlic powder and it was very tasty,, I know my husband is gonna love them. Thank you for sharing this recipe.😉

  3. 5 stars
    Just the recipe that I have been looking for. I changed the number of servings to one, which will be good for two meals for me (4 patties). I have a 5oz package of Chicken of the Sea red salmon to use.

  4. 5 stars
    I really enjoyed your salmon cake recipe,the patties stay together, my usual fall apart great recipe !!

  5. 5 stars
    Grew up eating salmon patties! My mom used (as do I now) cornmeal and a little flour instead of bread crumbs but is the same. When we needed a quick supper on Friday night, (Catholic, you know) we would have salmon patties, fried eggs, biscuits and gravy. My favorite “breakfast” ever! Other times we had them with baked beans and cole slaw or salad. You cannot beat it!

  6. 5 stars
    I love them but my husband doesn’t like the small in the house . I fix them when he is asleep.I place a rug at the bedroom door to keep out the smell of them cooking.I will have my salmon patties .With mashed potatoes a tomato and onion on the side .

  7. I haven’t made them yet but I think I will have to add more seasoning. These sound very plain or bland. Then again it may be nice to make them quickly instead of 12 or 13 ingredients.

  8. 5 stars
    Oh yeah baby… I like mine with gravy and biscuits like we use to have back in the 70s… Mmm mmm lil onion an sop it in some gravy and it’s good good …I mean sliced onion an on a biscuit.. I like mustard,or eat em straight with gravy over em… gonna make me some now…done made me hungry…I make mine big… I’m 6;2 and 325 lbs so I can eat.. Lol… Yummy in my tummy… peace ✌️ Salute…Thank you Jesus and Mother Mary…

  9. 5 stars
    Used ritz crackers, chives to this.. Mom always made these with creamed peas!! These parties are amazingly good? took me back to when I was a kid!
    Thanks

  10. 5 stars
    Used ritz crackers, chives to this.. Mom always made these with creamed peas!! These parties are amazingly good? took me back to when I was a kid!
    Thanks

  11. 5 stars
    We grew-up in Detroit,Michigan and we had these once a week,us kids all loved them and I make them for my family. Think I will have to make them again soon I forgot how good they are! We called them Salmon Croquttes! Thanks

  12. 5 stars
    We grew-up in Detroit,Michigan and we had these once a week,us kids all loved them and I make them for my family. Think I will have to make them again soon I forgot how good they are! We called them Salmon Croquttes! Thanks