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January 15, 2024

Salmon Patties

You’ve stocked your pantry full of tinned fish, and we’re here with a recipe for creative ways to turn those cans into a delicious and quick meal with these skillet cooked salmon patties.

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homemade salmon patties on a platter with a bowl of homemade dill dip and lemon wedges for serving
Photography by Gayle McLeod

An Easy Salmon Patty Recipe For A Quick And Delicious Meal

When we say quick, we mean it. Sometimes opening a can of salmon or tuna to whip up a quick Tuna Salad sandwich is all we can muster for lunch, but adding a few extra ingredients and tossing these patties into a hot skillet adds so much value for very little work. This recipe would pair well with Classic Coleslaw to add cheer to the weekday meal slump!!

salmon, onion powder, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, Dijon, lemon juice, chives, mayonnaise, egg & breadcrumbs in bowls

Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Recipe For Salmon Patties

  • Canned salmon – You can check out brand recommendations and more ideas for What To Do With Tinned Fish in our tinned fish primer.

  • Seasoning – Onion powder, garlic powder, and Old Bay seasoning take plain canned salmon to the next level of deliciousness.

  • Mayo + egg – How do you keep salmon patties from falling apart? Adding egg and mayo adds moisture and acts as a binder for the salmon patties. Eggs are the secret ingredient to making Mini Meatloaf too!

  • Breadcrumbs – This adds texture and heft to the salmon patties, and is a common way to bulk up dishes like Baked Chicken Meatballs and Chicken Burgers.

salmon, onion powder, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, Dijon, lemon juice, chives, mayonnaise, egg & breadcrumbs in a bowl
salmon, spices, Dijon, lemon juice, chives, mayonnaise, egg  & breadcrumbs being mixed together with a fork in a bowl
raw salmon patties on a parchment lined baking sheet made with spices,  Dijon, lemon juice, chives, mayo, egg & breadcrumbs
homemade salmon patties being cooked in vegetable oil in a skillet

How To Make Fried Salmon Patties With Canned Salmon

  • Make the patties. Combine the drained salmon, onion powder, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, Dijon, lemon juice, chives, mayonnaise, egg, and breadcrumbs until combined and the salmon is separated into flakes.

  • Shape the patties into ½-inch thick patties, using about ⅓ cup of salmon mixture for each patty.

  • Cook the patties in a large skillet over medium heat. You want them to get nice and brown and cook through.

  • Serve! These fried salmon patties go perfectly with a side of Dill Dip and lemon wedges for squeezing.

homemade salmon patties being cooked in vegetable oil in a skillet
homemade salmon patties on a platter with a bowl of homemade dill dip and lemon wedges for serving

How to Store Salmon Patties + Tips + Variations

  • You can use leftover salmon flaked for this recipe! Or sub with canned tuna fish if that’s what you have around.

  • These salmon patties can be frozen. We recommend cooking, cooling, and then wrapping them individually in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped patties in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge, reheat in a skillet with a small amount of oil (1-2 tablespoons) over medium heat until warmed through.

  • To make gluten free salmon patties, use gluten free bread crumbs.

  • We wanted to call out that canned salmon will likely contain small amounts of bones. While these bones are edible, and have softened during the canning process, and are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, we recognize this might not be everyone’s textural cup of tea. Boneless canned salmon exists, and brands like Wild Planet are sustainably caught and widely available at Target and other major retailers.

  • We have lots of dips that would be great with these patties if you’re not craving Dill Dip: Burger Sauce, Fry Sauce, or Tzatziki Sauce.

homemade salmon patties on a platter with a bowl of homemade dill dip and lemon wedges for serving

More Salmon Recipes From The Modern Proper To Make And Love

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Salmon Patties

  • Serves: 6
  • Prep Time:  10 min
  • Cook Time:  20 min
  • Calories: 293

Ingredients

  • 1 (14.75-ounce) can salmon, drained
  • ¾ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
  • 3 tablespoons minced chives or green onions
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Dill dip, for serving (store-bought or homemade)
  • Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Method

  1. In a large bowl, combine the salmon, onion powder, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, Dijon, lemon juice, chives, mayonnaise, egg, and breadcrumbs until combined and salmon is flaked. Shape into 6 (½-inch thick) patties (about ⅓ cup each).

  2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook until browned and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.

  3. Serve with Dill Dip and lemon wedges, if using.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories293
  • Protein17 g
  • Carbohydrates8 g
  • Total Fat22 g
  • Dietary Fiber0 g
  • Cholesterol68 mg
  • sodium255 mg
  • Total Sugars1 g

Salmon Patties

Questions & Reviews

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  • Sarah

    These look delicious! Is there a side salad you’d recommend making alongside this recipe?

    Our "The Kale Salad" or "simple butter lettuce salad" would both be great!

  • Lisa

    I would prefer using fresh salmon instead of can. How much fresh salmon would I need for this recipe?
    Thanks.

    You would still need about 15 ounces. Hope you enjoy Lisa!

  • Addie

    Can I freeze this recipe?

    They sure can! We recommend cooking, cooling, and then wrapping them individually in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped patties in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge, reheat in a skillet with a small amount of oil (1-2 tablespoons) over medium heat until warmed through.

  • Lisa

    Quick, easy, and delicious. I served them with a dill caper tartar sauce. 👍🏼

    Thanks Lisa, we are so glad you loved these!

  • DJ

    This was fantastic and the sauce was perfect!

    Thanks DJ!

  • Kay

    My husband and I really enjoyed these. I love that they are made with canned salmon, it's such a simple protein to always have on hand. Definitely a keeper for our house.

    Thanks Kay, we are so happy to hear that!