Salmon Patties: Grandma's Favorite Recipe! · Pint-sized Treasures (2024)

Salmon Patties was a Weekly Recipe for Grandma!

My grandma made a mean salmon stew that I completely copied and still make today.

But my favorite recipe she made was this salmon patty recipe.

And I’m sharing all her secret salmon patty (or salmon croquettes) secrets today.

I don’t think she’d mind…<3

Since my grandmother was a true home cook, she also served homemade biscuits and salmon gravy.

Salmon Patties: Grandma's Favorite Recipe! · Pint-sized Treasures (1)

It was always a welcome meal for this comfort foodie girl.

All salmon patties recipes are not made equal.

No ma’am.

Some aren’t crunchy enough..

Others are beyond bland.

What makes a salmon patty recipe really, really REALLY good?

So glad you asked!

Salmon Patties: Grandma's Favorite Recipe! · Pint-sized Treasures (3)

Secrets to Making the BEST Salmon Patties

Be patient.

As with almost any recipe, if you rush through the process, you’re going to end up with an average, or even below average, result.

With this particular recipe, give each patty a sufficient amount of time in the frying pan before flipping and frying the other side.

Fry one patty before frying the entire bunch.

This is my secret to my favorite breakfast sausage patties — which I hope to post later!

I always fry up one patty before frying the entire batch.

Salmon Patties: Grandma's Favorite Recipe! · Pint-sized Treasures (4)

Add a few extras.

You want to have the BEST salmon patties, right?

Then you’re going to have to go above and beyond.

That means taking the time to saute an onion or some celery…so you get that extra punch of flavor!

And don’t forget the chicken bouillon — it makes a HUGE difference!

More Secrets to Cooking Salmon Patties the BEST Way!

Don’t deep fry the salmon patties.

I know it’s a temptation to pull out your deep fryer or to fry these in four inches of oil.

But, you must resist that urge.

Deep frying salmon croquettes robs them of their amazing flavor and tends to soak up too much oil as well.

Just fry in four tablespoons of oil so they cook up perfectly.

Refrigerate the patty mixture.

If you’re not awesome at shaping salmon patties, then place your salmon patty mixture into the refrigerator for one hour before shaping and frying.

I mostly skip this step because I’ve been cooking salmon patties for 15 years.

But if you’re new to this, I would definitely recommend taking the extra precaution!

Instead of using bread crumbs, try making salmon patties with cornmeal.

This just changes up the texture. See which version your family likes best!

And one more hint from my husband’s grandmother? (She makes salmon patties too!)

You can totally make salmon patties using saltine crackers and a 1/4 cup flour as your breading!

I know you have crackers in your pantry!

Don’t Let the Oil Get Too Hot

If you’re cooking with a gas stove instead of an electric one, your oil may get too hot after only two batches.

Turn off your burner for two minutes and let the oil cool down before cooking additional batches.

If your oil is too hot, you’ll end up with a mushy inside and the patties won’t cook evenly.

Now that you know the secrets to making the BEST salmon patties, don’t forget to keep your pantry stocked with all the ingredients — just in case the salmon patty craving strikes!

How Do I Keep Salmon Patties From Falling Apart?

I think the biggest tip is to let the patties cook long enough on the first time before flipping.

Slip a wide spatula under the patties and gently flip.

Can You Freeze Salmon Patties?

To freeze salmon patties, prepare them according to the recipe.

After completely cooking, cool thoroughly. Then, flash freeze the patties for 30 minutes on a parchment sheet lined cookie sheet.

Once frozen, transfer patties to a ziplock bag and use within 3 months.

When ready to eat, simply cook from frozen on medium-low heat for 15 minutes until throughly heated. Or you can bake the patties in the oven for 25 minutes on 375 degrees.

What Do You Serve With Salmon Patties?

Salads, macaroni and cheese, green beans, garlic bread, and almost any type of potatoes are always perfect sides for this main dish.

Want More Family Recipes?

Be sure to join our Fave Family recipes group on Facebook!

Plus, you can download our dinner and dessert recipe book bundle here with original recipes that families love!

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Salmon Patties: Grandma's Favorite Recipe! · Pint-sized Treasures (9)

Grandma's Best Salmon Patties

Yield: 10 patties

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Perfectly spiced and fried to perfection, this s a favorite salmon patties recipe everyone loves!

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp. lemon or lime juice
  • 1½ tsp. dijon mustard, divided
  • ½ tsp. chicken bouillon
  • ½ c. celery, diced and sauteed
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2 6 oz. cans boneless skinless pink salmon
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 c. panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 large onion, diced and sautéed

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients except panko breadcrumbs and half of the dijon mustard in a medium bowl.
  2. Once thoroughly mixed, fold in panko bread crumbs.
  3. Refrigerate for 15 minutes for easy handling or you can begin shaping into patties for frying. It's up to you!
  4. Once mixture has been refrigerated, make patties with your hands.
  5. Heat medium-sized skillet to medium heat.
  6. Add 4–6 tablespoons of cooking oil to pan.
  7. Lightly pan fry several patties at once. About 4 patties at once.
  8. Once patties are golden brown, flip to the other side and continue frying until golden brown.
  9. Drain salmon patties on paper towels.
  10. Repeat for every patty.
  11. Serve immediately.

Notes

Dip patties in remaining dijon mustard.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 129Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 1086mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 10g

Nutrition values are estimates only, and are provided only as a courtesy.

Salmon Patties: Grandma's Favorite Recipe! · Pint-sized Treasures (2024)

FAQs

How do you make salmon patties not fall apart? ›

Mayonnaise. Mayonnaise will add moisture and help keep the salmon patty from falling apart.

Why do my salmon patties fall apart when frying? ›

If you add too much egg, for instance, or the canned fish isn't properly drained, the mixture will be too wet and the cakes will fall apart. Too many breadcrumbs, on the other hand, will make your cakes dry and crumbly.

Do people eat salmon patties for breakfast? ›

If you're craving more easy fish recipes, then be sure to try making Cod en Papillote (Cod in Parchment) or some tasty and delicious Brown Sugar Dijon Glazed Salmon. Growing up having salmon patties for breakfast was perfectly normal.

When did salmon patties become popular? ›

They became popularized during the great depression as a great source of inexpensive protein. Although it was canned, salmon was affordable and greatly enhanced when mixed with crackers and eggs to form patties. Recipes since, like mine, have been enhanced with other ingredients are still very popular today.

What can I substitute for breadcrumbs in salmon patties? ›

No breadcrumbs are needed: Instead, I use a small amount of almond flour. It adds a lovely nuttiness, and doesn't overpower the salmon flavor the way breadcrumbs can often do. If I'm making salmon patties, I surely want them to taste like salmon and not bread!

Why are my salmon patties mushy? ›

Overmixing can break down the structure. Allowing the salmon mixture to rest before shaping the patties is crucial. Cooking the salmon patties at too high a temperature or for too short a time can result in a mushy interior.

How do you get the fishy taste out of salmon patties? ›

How to Control Salmon's Fishiness with a Milk Bath. You can also lessen salmon's strong flavor by soaking it in a milk bath for 20 minutes and then draining it and patting it dry before cooking. The casein in milk binds to the TMA, and when drained away, it takes the culprit that causes fishy odor with it.

What if salmon patties are too dry? ›

If mixture is too moist to hold the patty shape, add more bread crumbs and if it is too dry, add an extra Tablespoon of mayo.

What is the difference between salmon patties and salmon burgers? ›

The main difference between my Salmon Patties and this salmon burger is the quantity of ingredients in the filling and the use of binder ingredients.

How do you know when salmon patties are cooked? ›

Whether you sauté, broil or grill this burger, it's best when the center remains the color of … salmon.

Is red or pink salmon better for salmon patties? ›

The canned red sockeye salmon is recommended. Canned pink salmon is cheaper, but the flavor and texture of the sockeye are of higher quality. Drain the salmon and remove the bones and skin (or crush the bones and leave them in for more calcium), then flake, and proceed with the recipe.

Can you eat a salmon patty cold? ›

Once cooked, leftover patties can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. Eat them cold, or warm them up briefly in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave. Salmon patties also freeze well.

What is the most sought after salmon? ›

Chinook: The largest (and often most expensive), the king or chinook is prized for its high-fat content and buttery texture.

Why does my salmon always fall apart? ›

If the salmon appears mushy or falls apart, it is likely overcooked. Firmness: When you press down gently on the flesh with a fork or your finger, it should feel slightly resistant but still give way easily. Cooked salmon should be firm but still moist.

Why do my patties fall apart? ›

If you try to flip it too soon before the meat has had a chance to fully cook on one side, the meat won't be done enough on that side to hold the rest of the patty together, and it will fall apart much easier.

How to make fish cakes stay together? ›

Chill the fish cakes in the freezer for about 30 minutes to help them set up so they don't fall apart doing cooking. Heat a skillet with about 1/3 inch of Avacado Oil in it over medium heat and place fish cakes into the hot oil.

What makes salmon flaky? ›

The combination of brine and higher heat produced a moist, flaky fillet with a still-pink and tartare-esque center, like a perfectly medium-rare steak. It was fast, easy, and delicious.

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