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Salmon Patties {Salmon Croquettes}

These easy salmon patties (or "salmon croquettes") are a great way to use up leftover salmon -- or even canned salmon!

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
Servings: 4 - 6 people
Calories: 578 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup finely diced onion
  • 1 lb. grilled, poached, or baked salmon fillets, broken into large chunks
  • ½ cup saltine cracker crumbs (about 15 crackers before crushing)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • Zest and juice from ½ of a lemon
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or sub with 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes)
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 1 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
  • 3 tablespoons butter, for sautéing
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil or vegetable oil, for sautéing
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley; lemon wedges

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Transfer the onion to a large mixing bowl. Add the salmon, saltine cracker crumbs, egg, mayonnaise, lemon zest and juice, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently to mix. Try not to break up the chunks of salmon too much; do not over-mix.
  3. Form the salmon mixture into 8 patties, about ½ inch thick.
  4. Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl; season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Dredge the salmon patties in the breadcrumbs, coating both sides and pressing gently to adhere.
  6. Refrigerate the patties for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
  7. In the same skillet used to cook the onions, heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling hot (use enough butter and oil to generously cover the bottom of the skillet).
  8. Place the croquettes in the hot oil, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side. Flip the patties only once; reduce the heat to medium if they start browning too quickly.
  9. Drain on paper towels. Serve with seafood sauce, tartar sauce, or ketchup. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.

Notes

  • Nutrition information includes all of the butter and oil as well, so the actual stats for your patties will vary depending on the amount of butter and oil absorbed in each patty.
  • Recipe adapted from Sarah Foster’s Southern Kitchen cookbook.
  • Add about 1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning to the salmon mixture for some added zest and classic Maryland flavor. Other nice options include extra fresh herbs, Worcestershire sauce, or Dijon mustard.
  • Baked Salmon Patties: Pan-frying gives the patties the best flavor and a crispy, golden brown exterior. That said, you can also bake them in the oven. For baked salmon croquettes, preheat the oven to 450°F. Generously grease a rimmed baking sheet with butter, and place the patties on the pan. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until golden brown, flipping halfway through.
  • If you don't have fresh cooked salmon, you can also use 1 lb. of canned salmon, boned and flaked.
  • Chilling the patties for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours) before frying helps them stay together when they cook.
  • The eggs and mayonnaise act as a binder, but a filler is also important to help hold the patties together when they cook. Saltine cracker crumbs make the best filler for salmon croquettes, but you can also substitute with bread crumbs.
  • Scale this recipe to feed any size crowd. If you're cooking for just two people, cut the ingredients in half to make 4 patties. For a larger family, double all of the ingredients and cook the patties in multiple batches.
  • Substitute with other types of fish (such as cod or tuna) to make fish cakes.

Nutrition Information

Serving 2patties Calories 578kcal (29%) Carbohydrates 29g (10%) Protein 32g (64%) Fat 37g (57%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 10g Monounsaturated Fat 16g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 135mg (45%) Sodium 483mg (20%) Potassium 740mg (21%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 544IU (11%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 81mg (8%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4- 6 people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 578

% Daily Value*

Serving 2patties
Calories 578kcal 29%
Carbohydrates 29g 10%
Protein 32g 64%
Fat 37g 57%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10g 59%
Monounsaturated Fat 16g 80%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 135mg 45%
Sodium 483mg 20%
Potassium 740mg 16%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 544IU 11%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 81mg 8%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.