Crispy Salmon Patties with Fresh Herbs

Make this quick and flavorful salmon patties recipe, a Southern-inspired classic with tender salmon inside and a crisp golden crust.

What Are Salmon Patties?

Salmon patties are a comforting, old-fashioned dish often associated with Southern home cooking. They are made by combining flaked salmon with binders such as eggs, breadcrumbs, and mayonnaise, then shaping the mixture into patties and frying them until the outside is crisp and golden. The result is a satisfying seafood recipe with a crunchy crust and a moist, flavorful center.

This easy salmon patties recipe works well for dinner, lunch, appetizers, or a hearty snack. The patties are simple enough for a weeknight meal but tasty enough to serve when you want something a little special. They are also a family-friendly option because the texture is familiar, the flavor is savory, and the crispy coating makes each bite especially enjoyable.

Why Choose This Salmon Patty Recipe?

Fresh, Flavorful Ingredients: Fresh salmon gives these patties a rich taste and tender texture. Combined with breadcrumbs, panko, mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Cajun seasoning, the salmon becomes the perfect base for a crispy and well-seasoned patty.
Easy Preparation: This recipe uses clear, simple steps that are easy to follow. The salmon is baked first, then flaked and mixed with the remaining ingredients. After chilling, the patties are coated and pan-fried until golden brown.
Versatile Serving Options: Salmon patties can be served as a main course with vegetables, rice, potatoes, or salad. They can also be made into sandwiches or served with a dipping sauce for a casual appetizer.

Ingredients for Salmon Patties

Salmon: Fresh salmon is the main ingredient in this recipe. Look for salmon with a bright color, firm texture, and clean scent. Avoid salmon that looks dull or smells overly fishy.
Breadcrumbs and Panko Breadcrumbs: Regular breadcrumbs help bind the mixture, while panko breadcrumbs create a lighter, crunchier coating. Together, they help the patties hold their shape and develop a crisp exterior.
Mayo: Mayonnaise adds moisture and creaminess to the salmon mixture. It helps keep the patties tender on the inside while they fry.
Eggs: Eggs act as a binder, holding the salmon mixture together so the patties do not fall apart in the skillet.
Butter and Olive Oil: A combination of butter and olive oil gives the patties rich flavor and helps them brown beautifully in the pan.
Spicy Mustard: Spicy mustard adds a subtle kick and bright flavor that balances the richness of the salmon and mayo.
Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce adds savory depth and enhances the overall flavor of the patties.
Toni’s Cajun Seasoning: Cajun seasoning brings warmth and zesty flavor. If Toni’s is not available, use another Cajun seasoning you enjoy.

What to Serve with Salmon Patties

Vegetables: Serve salmon patties with roasted asparagus, steamed broccoli, green beans, or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
Grains: Rice, quinoa, couscous, or pasta all pair nicely with crispy salmon patties and make the meal more filling.
Potatoes: Mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or sweet potatoes are comforting sides that work well with the savory flavor of salmon.
Sauces: Try serving the patties with tartar sauce, creamy dill sauce, or lemon aioli for extra flavor.
Bread: Turn these patties into a salmon burger by serving them on your favorite bread with lettuce and tomato.

Tips and Tricks for Salmon Patties

Choose Quality Salmon: Whether you use fresh or canned salmon, quality matters. Fresh salmon should be firm, bright, and clean smelling. If using canned salmon, choose a simple version without unnecessary additives when possible.
Do Not Overmix: Mix the ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can make the patties dense and can break down the texture of the salmon too much.
Chill the Patties: Refrigerating the salmon mixture for at least 30 minutes helps the patties hold their shape during cooking.
Watch the Pan Temperature: The butter and oil should be hot enough that the patties sizzle when added, but not so hot that the oil smokes.
Avoid Crowding the Skillet: Cook the patties in batches if needed. Too many patties in the pan can lower the heat and prevent a crisp crust from forming.
Flip Carefully: Let the patties cook undisturbed until golden on one side before flipping. This helps keep them intact.
Drain After Cooking: Place cooked patties on paper towels for a few minutes to remove excess oil while keeping the crust crisp.

Want more salmon recipe ideas?

Pan Seared Salmon
Easy Honey Butter Salmon and Asparagus Packs
Easy Air Fryer Salmon

Salmon Patties

These crispy salmon patties are golden on the outside and tender, savory, and flavorful on the inside. They are a simple Southern-style seafood recipe that makes a satisfying main course.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:45 minutes

Cook Time:30 minutes

Total Time:1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 lb salmon
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup mayo
2 medium eggs
2 TBSP butter
2 TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP spicy mustard
1 TSP Worcestershire sauce
2 TSP Toni’s Cajun seasoning

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil, grease it lightly, add the salmon, and bake for about 15 minutes.
Flake the cooked salmon away from the skin, place it in a bowl, and let it cool.
Add the regular breadcrumbs, mayo, mustard, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon of Toni’s Cajun seasoning to the cooled salmon. Mix until combined.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
Add the butter and olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
Divide the salmon mixture into 6 equal portions and shape them into patties. In a separate dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the remaining Cajun seasoning, then coat each side of every patty in the mixture.
Cook about 3 patties at a time, if your skillet allows, for 4 minutes on each side. Transfer the cooked patties to paper towels to drain excess oil before serving.

Notes

Choose Quality Salmon: Fresh salmon should be bright, firm, and clean smelling. If using canned salmon, select a simple variety when possible.
Do Not Overmix: Stir only until the mixture comes together so the patties keep a pleasant texture.
Chill Before Frying: Chilling helps the patties firm up and hold their shape in the skillet.
Check the Heat: The patties should sizzle when they touch the pan, but the oil should not smoke.
Cook in Batches: Leave enough space around each patty so they brown instead of steam.
Let Them Brown: Wait until one side is golden before flipping to help prevent breaking.
Drain Well: Rest cooked patties on paper towels for a crisp finish without excess grease.

Nutrition

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dinner, salmon, salmon cakes

Servings: 6 patties

Calories: 390kcal

Author: Glitter and Graze