Easy Salmon Cakes - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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These crispy salmon cakes are tasty and filling and incredibly easy to make. They're ready in just 30 minutes!

As long as you have canned salmon and eggs, you can whip them up anytime. The remaining ingredients are flexible.

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Canned fish is one of the easiest ways to incorporate more seafood into my family's diet. It's accessible, affordable, and can be kept in the pantry for a long time.

I make these delicious patties about once a week. They are easy to make, taste great, and - just as important - I always have the essential ingredients on hand and can improvise on the rest.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Seafood Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Reviews

Ingredients

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The only ingredients absolutely needed for this recipe are canned salmon and eggs. The remaining ingredients are flexible. Here's an overview of what you'll need. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

  • Canned salmon: Make sure to use boneless, skinless salmon and drain it well.
  • Eggs: I use large eggs in most of my recipes, this one included.
  • Mayonnaise: I prefer mayonnaise made with avocado oil.
  • Mustard: I use Dijon mustard.
  • Minced garlic: Mince it yourself, or use the stuff that comes in a jar. Both work in this recipe.
  • To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, and dried thyme.
  • Chopped parsley: Cilantro is also excellent in this recipe.
  • Olive oil: Used for frying the patties.

Variations

  • If you don't have fresh garlic, use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
  • Sometimes, I use ghee instead of olive oil for frying these patties.
  • Like your food spicy? Add a pinch of cayenne to the mixture.
  • In my experience, cilantro works well as a substitution for parsley.

Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here's an overview of the steps for making this recipe:

Drain the salmon cans thoroughly. Place the salmon in a large bowl. Flake it well with a fork into tiny pieces. Thorough drying and mixing will help prevent the patties from falling apart. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the oil) and mix everything well.

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Cook the patties in hot olive oil. I use a 4-tablespoon ice cream scoop to scoop the mixture out of the bowl. You should pack the mixture into the scoop - I press on it with a fork. It helps the cakes retain their shape. Cook the patties until well-browned and crispy, about 3 minutes on each side.

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This is what they look like on the inside when done:

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Expert Tip

There are a few steps you can take to make sure the cakes don’t fall apart:

  • Drain the salmon thoroughly.
  • Flake it well with a fork. You want it in small pieces.
  • Use large eggs.
  • Mix the ingredients thoroughly.

Recipe FAQs

How do you keep the patties from falling apart?

As mentioned above, you should drain the canned salmon thoroughly, flake it well, use large eggs, and mix the ingredients thoroughly.

Should I add flour or breadcrumbs?

No. In my experience, you don't need a binder (such as flour, breadcrumbs, or almond flour) to hold these patties together.

Can I make this recipe with canned tuna?

Yes, you can. I also have a slightly different recipe for tuna patties if you'd like to try that.

Serving Suggestions

These salmon cakes make a quick and easy meatless entree. I serve them for dinner with a dollop of homemade tartar sauce, keeping the sides simple.

I like serving them with caprese salad, microwave cauliflower drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice, or broiled tomatoes. They are also excellent with a side of microwave asparagus.

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently in the microwave at 50% power, or enjoy them cold straight out of the fridge.

I like them with Dijon mustard or sriracha mayo. The leftovers are excellent - in fact, I often make extra patties to ensure I have some for the next day's lunch!

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More Seafood Recipes

  • Keto Crab Cakes
  • Easy Salmon Salad
  • Tuna Patties

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Recipe Card

Easy Salmon Cakes - Healthy Recipes Blog (11)

4.98 from 658 votes

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Easy Salmon Cakes

These delicious salmon cakes are perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. The leftovers are great for lunch the next day.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 226kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 2 6-ounce cans salmon skinless and boneless
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons fresh garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ¼ teaspoon of any other salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ cup parsley chopped
  • ¼ cup olive oil for frying

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to the "keep warm" setting (170℉).

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  • Drain the salmon cans thoroughly. Place the salmon in a large bowl. Flake it well with a fork into tiny pieces.

    Easy Salmon Cakes - Healthy Recipes Blog (13)

  • Add the eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and thyme. Mix well.

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  • Mix in the chopped parsley.

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  • Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large 12-inch nonstick skillet for about 3 minutes.

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  • Using a 4-tablespoon ice cream scoop, transfer four mounds of the mixture to the skillet. Pack the mixture into the scoop, then release it into the skillet and gently flatten.

    Easy Salmon Cakes - Healthy Recipes Blog (17)

  • Cook the patties until well-browned and crispy, about 3 minutes on each side. Place the cooked patties in the oven to keep them warm while you cook the second batch.

    Easy Salmon Cakes - Healthy Recipes Blog (18)

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Notes

  • To ensure the salmon cakes don’t fall apart, drain the salmon thoroughly, flake it well, use large eggs, and mix the ingredients thoroughly.
  • About half the olive oil will remain in the skillet; the nutrition info reflects that. But you need all of it to fry the patties properly.
  • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently in the microwave at 50% power, or enjoy them cold straight out of the fridge.

Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 2 patties | Calories: 226 kcal | Carbohydrates: 1 g | Protein: 14 g | Fat: 17 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Sodium: 317 mg

About the Author

Easy Salmon Cakes - Healthy Recipes Blog (19) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Review this Recipe or Ask a Question:

  1. Linda

    Easy Salmon Cakes - Healthy Recipes Blog (20)
    This recipe came up when I searched for non-breaded salmon cakes. We all loved these for a quick and easy meal. That they were gluten free was even better. They are definitely on our meal rotation list. I did not have any fresh garlic so used my own dried garlic 3/4t was more than enough. I am sure they will be even better next time when I do have fresh garlic.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Linda! Many thanks for the detailed review.

      Reply

      • Janelle

        Can you cook these in the air fryer?

      • Vered DeLeeuw

        Hi Janelle,
        I'm sorry - I don't own an air fryer, so I never tested that.

  2. Nancy Giddings-Cude

    Is mustard, in lieu of mayonnaise, an acceptable change?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Nancy,
      I think that would be a lot of mustard and overpowering. Perhaps try sour cream or softened cream cheese.

      Reply

  3. Kirsty

    Hi! What can I use instead of Dijon mustard? Can I use English mustard or just an extra tsp mayo?
    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Kirsty,
      English mustard is fine! 🙂

      Reply

  4. David

    Easy Salmon Cakes - Healthy Recipes Blog (21)
    Good but it is not meatless.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm glad you liked them, David. If you consider fish and seafood meat, then you are correct that they are not meatless.

      Reply

  5. Frank G.

    Easy Salmon Cakes - Healthy Recipes Blog (22)
    Excellent quick meal. I used spinach instead of parsley. Came out well but I think i had issues with frying the spinach which burns easily. Still came out well.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Frank! Thanks for the detailed review.

      Reply

« Older Comments

Easy Salmon Cakes - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep salmon patties from falling apart? ›

Refrigerate The Mix, Use A Sheet Pan

The cooler temperature of the mix will help everything stick together better when the patties are pan-fried, crisping them up nicely. If you have a lot of salmon patties to make, you can even forgo the pan altogether and bake them on a sheet tray in the oven.

Is canned salmon healthy? ›

Canned salmon is every bit as nutritious as fresh salmon. It contains a variety of key nutrients, including protein, calcium, vitamins B & D, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids which promotes a healthy brain. By now, the health benefits of salmon are well-known.

How to eat canned salmon easy? ›

Add canned salmon to macaroni and cheese. Spread salmon salad over whole-grain crackers or pita wedges. Mix a can of salmon into mashed regular or sweet potatoes. Spread salmon salad into ribs of celery or over thick slices of red pepper.

Why won't my salmon patties stay together? ›

Balance the binders with the moisture

Every salmon patty or cake recipe calls for some combination of binding ingredients. These usually include eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, cracker crumbs, ground flaxseed, and so on. Without these binders, the salmon has nothing to stick to, so you can't form patties.

Why are my salmon patties mushy? ›

Cooking the salmon patties at too high a temperature or for too short a time can result in a mushy interior.

Should you drain canned salmon? ›

This healthy and convenient food is low in calories, high in omega-3 fatty acids, and contains many essential vitamins and nutrients. Canned salmon also contains high concentrations of sodium, particularly when the fish is packed in salt water. That's why it's recommended that you drain the salmon before eating it.

Which is better, red or pink canned salmon? ›

These ones are pretty much the same, but often. red salmon tends to be slightly higher in calories, has more Omega 3 fatty acids than the pink. In terms of protein, even a little more protein. So up to you what you like in terms of eating, uh, and taste.

What to pair with canned salmon? ›

14 Best Ways To Use Canned Salmon
  1. Pan-fry up some salmon croquettes/patties. ...
  2. Think outside the box with a sushi bake. ...
  3. Great creative with your pasta. ...
  4. Mix up your grilling routine with some salmon burgers. ...
  5. Use canned salmon for a hearty bowl of soup. ...
  6. Serve up this delicacy for something completely different.
Apr 19, 2023

Can I eat canned salmon right out of the can? ›

Canned salmon is fully cooked (and often contains skin and bones) As with canned tuna, canned salmon is fully cooked and ready to eat right out of the tin.

How do you cook salmon so it doesn't fall apart? ›

Grill salmon flesh side down FIRST, then flip over once.

Place the salmon fillets on the grill flesh side down first (so the skin is facing you). Raw salmon is relatively firm, so starting it off with the flesh facing down is a great way to get some nice grill marks on the salmon without it falling apart.

How to stop patties from falling apart? ›

Chill or freeze your burgers

"This will help them keep their shape when they're cooking and stop them falling apart." You can also freeze them before cooking.

Why is my salmon falling apart before I cook it? ›

Salmon that's gone bad will often feel almost like it's about to fall apart, or sometimes mushy. Other things to watch for when examining your fish by touch are slimy or sticky residues, both indicators of spoilage.

How to make fish cakes stay together? ›

A classic choice is breadcrumbs, but you could integrate crushed up crackers, almond flour, or even mashed (or smashed) potatoes into your fish cake mix. Not only will these ingredients help to hold your fish cake together; they'll help to keep your cakes from becoming dense pucks of protein.

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