Salmon Patties recipe with canned salmon makes an easy weeknight dinner that you can have on the menu anytime. Ready in less than 30 minutes, this recipe is a keeper and a kid favorite!

salmon patties on a plate

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.

cooked salmon patties stacked on a white platter with a slice of lemon

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

bowls of chopped onion canned salmon and bread crumbs

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.

Step 5. Drain and serve. Drain the patties on paper towels for a few minutes before serving. I like to add zing with a little red wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice sprinkled on top, but the rest of my family is happy with just ketchup.

Salmon patties recipe substitutions or additions

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

fork with food on a plate

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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4.73 from 55 votes

Salmon Cakes with Canned Salmon

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

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
Love this recipe?Mention @southernfoodandfun or tag #southernfoodandfun!

Update Notes: This post was originally published January 25, 2011, and on August 1, 2022, was updated with one or more of the following: step-by-step photos, video, updated recipe, new tips.

This post is part of my favorite Southern Foods at Home collection.

Lucy standing behind a counter with a cheese board and glass of wine.

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




24 Comments

  1. 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.😉

  2. 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.

  3. 5 stars
    I really enjoyed your salmon cake recipe,the patties stay together, my usual fall apart great recipe !!

  4. 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!

  5. 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 .

  6. 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.

  7. 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…

  8. 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

  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
    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

  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