These crispy and flavorful salmon patties made with simple pantry staples, for a quick, budget-friendly dinner that’s ready in 20 minutes.

Easy Salmon Patties

Some recipes just feel like home, and these old-fashioned salmon patties are one of those simple, classic meals that never let you down. Made with just 7 simple ingredients, they’re the kind of meal you can throw together without a special grocery trip or fancy items. Chances are, you already have everything you need sitting in the cupboard, which makes this recipe a lifesaver on those “what’s for dinner?” nights.

Also called salmon cakes or salmon croquettes, salmon patties are similar to crab cakes, with a tender, flaky center and a golden, crispy crust from the skillet. They’re savory, comforting, and perfectly crisp on the outside while staying soft and tender inside. Lightly seasoned with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, the salmon truly is the star here. You won’t believe that a can of salmon can make something this delicious!

This is a great recipe for meal planning or prepping ahead, since most of the ingredients are shelf stable and ready whenever you are. In about 15–20 minutes, you can have golden, crispy patties on the table that are hearty, filling, and packed with savory flavor. No complicated steps…just mix, shape, and pan-fry.

Serve these crispy alongside roasted veggies, crumble one over a fresh salad, or tuck them into a sandwich for an easy lunch the next day. It’s a tasty retro meal that proves that sometimes the most simple foods really can be the most satisfying.

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Ingredients

Canned salmon (skinless and boneless)
Large Egg
Bread crumbs (or cracker crumbs)
Diced Onion
Lemon Juice
Salt & pepper

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Instructions

Prep Your Ingredients: Drain salmon. Add to a large mixing bowl with all of the other ingredients. This is also a good time to start heating your pan on the stovetop.
Mix: Stir the ingredients together until well combined and you have a cohesive mixture that can hold its shape.
Form patties: Divide the salmon mixture into 6 equal portions and form into patties, about 3 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick. Place on a sheet pan until ready to cook.
Fry: Cook in a large skillet over medium heat, using 1-2 Tablespoons of oil to grease the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown, so that the salmon cakes are to your desired doneness.

Prep Tips

Salmon: The traditional recipe calls for boneless and skinless canned pink salmon. If your canned salmon has skin or bones, that is totally fine. You’ll just want to remove the skin and larger bones before using it.
Crumbs: In addition to being a binder, breadcrumbs add a buttery taste to this dish. Instead of bread crumbs, you could use cracker crumbs to switch up the flavor or use what you have on hand.. Ritz crackers or saltine crackers would both work well. Panko crumbs are also a great option.
Seasoning: We kept it simple with the classic recipe of salt and pepper. However, you could season to your personal preference. Old Bay Seasoning is a popular choice. You could also add in fresh dill or chopped green onion.
Oil: You can pan fry in your favorite cooking oil or butter. We used avocado oil, but you could also use vegetable oil, olive oil, or canola oil.
Use a measuring cup or scoop to portion evenly sized patties for even cooking.
Cook in a hot skillet with oil or butter for a crispy, golden crust. If using a smaller skillet, you may want to fry in batches.
Flip gently once and avoid pressing down to keep them tender inside and avoid squeezing out too much moisture.
Make ahead friendly: Mix and shape patties in advance, then refrigerate until ready to cook.
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days or freeze cooked patties for quick meals later.

Serve With:

A la carte: These salmon patties taste fabulous on their own with a side of tartar sauce for dipping. They can be the main course, appetizer, or a side dish.
Salad: They also are delicious on a bed of lettuce or greens as a salad topper.
Salmon Burgers: You can also serve them on buns to make an easy and tasty handheld meal. Add cheese, mayonnaise, tartar sauce, or your favorite burger toppings.

How to Reheat Salmon Patties

Skillet (best method): Heat a little oil or butter in a pan over medium heat and cook 2–3 minutes per side until warm and crispy again.
Air fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until heated through and crisp outside.
Oven: Place on a lined baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 350°F. When the oven has reached temperature, the patties should be heated through.
Microwave: Heat in 20–30 second intervals, flipping each time. This is the fastest reheating method, though the outside won’t stay as crispy this way.
Starting from Frozen: Thaw frozen patties in the fridge overnight before reheating for best texture.

More Easy Seafood Recipes:

Old Fashioned Salmon Patty Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)

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