Old Fashioned Salmon Patties Recipe
This Old Fashioned Salmon Patties Recipe is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with great flavor! Made with simple ingredients like a can of salmon, cracker crumbs, and seasonings, they’re an easy dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes. These easy salmon patties are a southern staple the whole family will love!
Are you looking for more Southern Recipes? Try our fried potatoes and onions, baked beans with ground beef, and southern potato salad.
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We usually eat our salmon patties as salmon burgers, and they make a delicious meal! My mom made these growing up with cracker crumbs, but sometimes I use breadcrumbs, so I guess mine are more like salmon croquettes.
Whatever you call them, these easy salmon patties are a classic. Whether you enjoy them as fried salmon patties with a squeeze of lemon or stack them on a bun with your favorite toppings, they’re always a hit!
What you’ll love about this Salmon Patties Recipe:
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this amazing Salmon Patties Recipe:
- Canned Salmon
- Eggs
- Saltine crackers
- Onion powder
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon juice
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Vegetable oil
INGREDIENT NOTES:
- Can of salmon: A pantry staple that makes this a quick and easy recipe. Drain well and remove larger bones if desired.
- Cracker crumbs: Ritz crackers, panko breadcrumbs, or corn meal can be used instead of saltines for a different texture.
- Lemon juice: Adds freshness, and also try a squeeze of lemon juice right before serving.
HOW TO MAKE SALMON PATTIES STEP-BY-STEP:
Check out the quick visual guides below. For full instructions and ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the end.
Step 1: Drain the pink salmon well and remove any visible bones and skin. Place in a large bowl and flake with a fork.
Step 2: Add the eggs, crushed saltine crackers, onion powder, parsley, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Stir until well combined.
Step 3: Form the mixture into 5-6 equal-sized patties, about 1/2 inch thick. If the mixture is too wet, add more crushed crackers.
Step 4: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot.
Step 5: Cook the patties for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
Step 6: Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Step 7: Serve hot with lemon wedges and tartar sauce, if desired.
NOTE: If your salmon mixture is too dry, try one of these fixes:
- Add more moisture – A little salmon juice, a splash of milk, or a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce can help bind everything together.
- Use an extra egg – This helps hold the patties together and keeps them from crumbling.
PRO TIP:
For even more great flavor, add a dash of Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of Old Bay seasoning, or lemon zest to the salmon mixture before forming patties.
Storage and Reheating
Storage: Place leftover salmon patties in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It can be kept for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: Warm in a frying pan over medium heat or heat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes until crispy.
Freezing: Arrange leftover salmon cakes on a baking sheet in a single layer, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
Additions & Substitutions
ADDITIONS:
- Fresh dill or dill weed for a herby touch.
- Red onion or yellow onion for extra flavor.
- Red bell pepper for a bit of sweetness.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Ritz crackers- Use instead of saltines for a buttery texture.
- Corn meal-Adds extra crispiness to the patties.
- Almond flour- A great low-carb alternative to breadcrumbs.
FAQs about this Easy Salmon Patties Recipe:
What Can I Serve with these Salmon Patties?
Serve these canned salmon patties with mashed potatoes, green beans, french fries, coleslaw, or Johnny cakes.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
I’m excited for you to try this Old Fashioned Salmon Patties Recipe!! After you make it, please leave a rating to let me know your thoughts on it – I’m eager to hear if you loved it as much as we do!
Old Fashioned Salmon Patties Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 (14.75 ounce) can pink salmon drained
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers crushed (1 1/2 cups)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Drain salmon well and remove any visible bones and skin. Place in a large bowl and flake with a fork. 1 (14.75 ounce) can pink salmon
- Add eggs, crushed saltines, onion, parsley, lemon juice, garlic powder, pepper, and salt to the salmon. Mix well until combined. 2 large eggs, 1 sleeve saltine crackers, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Form mixture into 5-6 equal-sized patties, about 1/2 inch thick. If mixture is too wet, add more crushed crackers.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Cook patties for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove to paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve hot with lemon wedges and tartar sauce if desired.
- NOTE: If your salmon mixture is too dry, try one of these fixes:Add more moisture – A little salmon juice, a splash of milk, or a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce can help bind everything together.Use an extra egg – This helps hold the patties together and keeps them from crumbling.
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