Salmon Patties are a deliciously flavorful recipe that can be eaten as an appetizer or main dish. They’re tender and flaky on the inside, perfectly crispy on the outside, and packed with the most amazing flavor. We love serving them with our easy Lemon Herb Dipping Sauce, and you’ll find that recipe included!
I’m a HUGE seafood lover… and one of my all time favorites are Crab Cakes. There’s something about the combination of tender & flaky on the inside and golden crisp on the outside that gets me every time. And they always seem to be served with the most DELICIOUS sauce.
So I decided to combine my love of crab cakes with my love of salmon… and these Salmon Patties (also called Salmon Cakes) are the end result. Loaded with red pepper, parsley, lemon juice, and panko bread crumbs, they’re perfectly moist and packed with the best flavor.
They make a great appetizer, but can also be served as a main dish. Add them to sandwiches or salads, or serve them alongside your favorite veggies. The possibilities for these delicious patties are endless!
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🐟 Ingredients
I chose to use canned salmon in this recipe for ease and convenience, but you can also use fresh baked salmon as an alternative. Feel free to toss in any of your favorite veggies in place of red pepper and/or onion.
The dipping sauce, of course, is optional. You can serve these patties with or without sauce… they’re delicious either way!
Salmon Patties:
- 3 cans (5 oz.) canned salmon, drained
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 c. panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 c. chopped onion
- 1/4 c. chopped red pepper
- 2 Tbsp. mayo
- 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, minced
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp. worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil, plus more as needed
Dipping Sauce:
- 1/4 c. mayo
- 1/4 c. sour cream
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. fresh minced parsley
- 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp. onion powder
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
📋 Instructions
Salmon Patties are incredibly easy to make, and there are a few simple tips that will help ensure the best results. First, make sure your veggies are finely chopped so they combine well with the salmon. Second, when forming the patties, press them together firmly so they won’t crumble. Third, try to flip them just once during cooking, and be careful when doing so.
- Mix ingredients – combine ingredients for salmon patties in a medium mixing bowl. Mix well.
- Shape patties – use your hands to shape patties into small round disks (2-3 inches).
- Saute – heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a medium skillet. Add patties to skillet and saute until golden brown on one side, then gently flip and saute the second side. Remove from heat.
- Make dipping sauce – in a separate small bowl, combine sauce ingredients. Enjoy!
🥓 Recipe variations
There are a number of different ways to switch up this recipe according to your tastes. Here are some fun ideas to try!
- Add 1 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
- Add 1/2 c. chopped, cooked bacon
- Use a combination of bell peppers for extra color
- Add 1/4 c. finely grated carrots or zucchini
- Add 1/3 c. shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese
- Make them into mini patties and serve on top of salad
- Substitute 2 Tbsp. fresh dill for the parsley
- Add 1-2 Tbsp. minced jalapeno for a spicy kick
- Add 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper to the dipping sauce
🥗 Sides
Our favorite side dishes for Salmon Patties are any type of salad or vegetable. These are some of our favorite recipes:
- Fresh Corn Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Chickpea Cucumber Feta Salad
- BLT Caesar Salad
- Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad
- Apple Brie Salad
- Garlic Roasted Asparagus
- Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
♨️ Storing & reheating
Leftover Salmon Patties can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Saute, flipping occasionally, until heated through.
🦀 Related recipes
If you love seafood as much as we do, you might enjoy these related recipes!
- Mini Crab Cakes
- Chicken Patties
- Salmon Tacos
- Tuna Casserole
- Balsamic Orange Glazed Salmon
- Shrimp Tacos

Salmon Patties
Ingredients
Salmon Patties
- 3 cans 5 oz. canned salmon, drained
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 c. panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 c. chopped onion
- 1/4 c. chopped red pepper
- 2 Tbsp. mayo
- 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley minced
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp. worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil plus more as needed
Dipping Sauce
- 1/4 c. mayo
- 1/4 c. sour cream
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. fresh minced parsley
- 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
- Combine ingredients for Salmon Patties in a medium mixing bowl. Mix well.
- Use your hands to shape patties into small round disks (about 3 inches). Press patties firmly together.
- Heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
- Add patties to skillet and saute until golden brown on both sides, adding oil as necessary. Remove from heat.
- In a separate small bowl, combine sauce ingredients.
- Drizzle or dip as desired!
Notes
- Make sure your veggies are finely chopped so they combine well with the salmon
- When forming the patties, press them together firmly so they won't crumble
- Try to flip patties just once during cooking
Nutrition

Salmon Patties are a deliciously flavorful recipe that can be eaten as an appetizer or main dish. They’re tender and flaky on the inside, perfectly crispy on the outside, and packed with the most amazing flavor. We love serving them with our easy Lemon Herb Dipping Sauce, and you’ll find that recipe included!
Amanda says
Those patties and the dip look like they go really well together!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
These Salmon Patties are mouth watering!
Jacque Hastert says
I am loving these! We had them last night and I can’t wait to make them again. They are simply delicious with just the right amount of crisp on the outside.
Sara Welch says
This is my kind of recipe! Serving this with dinner tonight, indeed; looks too good to pass up!
Suzy says
We love making these salmon patties! So easy and so tasty!