Classic Salmon Patties

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 12/13/22
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 6 servings

These basic salmon patties—or salmon croquettes—have long been a favorite Southern dish. If you're from the South, you probably have fond memories of Friday evening salmon croquettes. Not only are these salmon croquettes an easy preparation, but the use of canned salmon also makes them easy on the budget.

They make a fantastic everyday family meal with macaroni and cheese. Or serve them with French fries or roasted potatoes and steamed peas or broccoli. Cucumbers with sour cream and dill is an excellent choice; dill and cucumbers both go well with salmon.

Serve the patties with purchased or homemade tartar sauce, remoulade sauce, or dill sauce (below).

Salmon patties
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Ingredients

  • 1 (16-ounce) can salmon, undrained

  • 1 small onion, finely grated

  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 2 large eggs, well beaten

  • 1 1/2 cups fine dry breadcrumbs, divided

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Classic salmon patties ingredients
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  2. Turn the salmon and liquid into a medium-size bowl. Flake the salmon with a fork, removing any skin and bones. Smaller bones are edible and may be mashed. Add the grated onion, parsley, and pepper; blend thoroughly.

    Flake salmon, add grated onion, parsley, and pepper
     The Spruce

  3. Add the beaten eggs and blend well. Add enough breadcrumbs, about 1/2 to 3/4 cup, to make the mixture thick enough to shape into about 12 small patties.

    Add eggs and breadcrumbs to salmon mixture. Form into patties
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  4. Roll the patties in the remaining breadcrumbs to coat thoroughly.

    Roll patties in breadcrumbs
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  5. In a large heavy skillet or sauté pan over low heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. When the butter is hot, add the salmon patties. Fry patties slowly on one side until browned. Add the remaining butter, turn the patties, and fry them until browned on the other side. Serve and enjoy!

    Finished salmon patties
    The Spruce

Tips

  • If you are cooking the salmon patties in batches, preheat the oven to 200 F. Put the salmon patties on a rack in a baking pan and place it in the preheated oven while you cook subsequent batches.
  • To make a simple dill sauce for salmon croquettes, combine 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill with 1/4 cup of mayonnaise, 1/4 cup of sour cream, a few teaspoons of lemon juice, and freshly ground black pepper. Add some finely chopped green onion ​if desired.

Recipe Variations

  • Substitute finely crushed saltines or Ritz crackers for the fine, dry breadcrumbs.
  • Omit the grated onion and add about 2 to 3 tablespoons of finely chopped green onions (scallions).
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
291 Calories
13g Fat
21g Carbs
23g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 291
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 16%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 140mg 47%
Sodium 511mg 22%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 8%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 23g
Vitamin C 2mg 11%
Calcium 279mg 21%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 354mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)