Old Fashioned Salmon Patties are just like what grandma used to make, using pantry ingredients to create delicious, crispy, pan-fried patties. This is an easy weeknight meal with just six ingredients, plus a little oil for frying. Add or adjust seasonings to suit your family's tastebuds and enjoy a nostalgic, time-honored way of enjoying salmon.
Serve alongside Homemade Creamed Corn, Easy Edamame Salad and Potato Casserole for a classic and delicious meal.
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⭐ Why You'll Love Old Fashioned Salmon Patties
Salmon Patties are an incredibly versatile way to enjoy salmon, there are countless seasoning combinations and additions you can include to customize this recipe. (Scroll down for variations, substitutions and options.)
Fried salmon patties are delicous with all kinds of sides and salads, I'm especially fond of serving them with Sweet Corn Pasta Salad, Mixed Bean Salad or Red Potato Salad which all offer a great variety of flavors and textures to complement the salmon.
The patties are fried, but not deep fried, in hot oil. It's similar to the technique for frying Crusted Chicken Romano. You'll use just a thin layer of oil in the bottom of the skillet.
This recipe uses canned salmon and Ritz crackers, both are easy to keep on hand so you can enjoy Old Fashioned Salmon Patties any time!
Pro Tip: Canned salmon is cooked and ready to use straight from the can, but you can also use leftover cooked or baked fresh salmon in this recipe.
🥘 Ingredients to Have on Hand
Salmon: Use your favorite brand of canned salmon. I'm partial to the pink salmon variety sold at Costco, but there are many options. Whichever brand of canned salmon you use, check the label for "wild," "wild-caught" or "from Alaska" references to be sure you are buying the very best product. Pink, sockeye and red varieties of salmon are usually the best quality.
Crackers: Ritz crackers are by far, my favorite crackers to crush into crumbs and use in salmon patties. The crispy texture and buttery flavor are ideal to pair with salmon.
Eggs: These serve like glue to hold all the ingredients together, especially when the patties are cooking in hot oil. Regardless of the ingredient variations you may use, be sure to include eggs - or some type of "binder" ingredient in your salmon patties.
Scroll to the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
📖 Substitutions
Here's where old-fashioned salmon patties get fun and versatile. Your grandma (or mom) probably had a favorite combination for preparing them and they might well have included the following substitutions and variations.
Red Onion: Swap the two tablespoons of diced green onion for the same amount of red onion, chopped and diced very fine. Use the rest of the red onion to make a delicious English Pea Salad to serve on the side
Saltines or Panko Crumbs: Instead of Ritz crackers, use the same amount of crushed saltine crackers or even Panko crumbs.
🥘 Ingredient Variations
Mix or match two or three of the following ingredients to discover the salmon patty ingredient combination that your family will love!
Diced Celery: Add two tablespoons of celery diced and chopped very fine, the celery adds subtle flavor and an added texture to the patties.
Fresh Dill: The distinctive flavor of dill is delicious with salmon. Use 1-2 tablespoons of fresh, chopped dill depending on how prominent you want the flavor to be. I recommend starting with 1 tablespoon the first time you use dill and adjusting from there the next time you use it in salmon patties.
Old Bay Seasoning: Two teaspoons of this beloved seafood seasoning will be just about perfect for boosting the flavor of your salmon patties. Keep the seasoning on hand in your cupboard and make Buttermilk Chicken Tenders next time.
Minced Garlic: Chop or crush a clove or two of garlic or stir in about 1 teaspoon of minced garlic with the salmon patty ingredients to enhance the savory flavor of salmon.
Mayonaise: This works as a great binder (like eggs do) and can help hold the ingredients together, it also adds a slightly creamy texture and a touch of that delicious mayo flavor.
Worcestershire Sauce: A little of this goes a long way, but a ½ teaspoon will boost the richness and deepen the flavor of the salmon patties.
🍽 Serve Salmon Patties as an Appetizer
Serve the patties as a main dish or make each patty smaller - about the size of a quarter - fry and serve as an appetizer. The flavors go great with Simple Artichoke Parmesan Dip during the appetizer round. Or, Slice Basic Biscuits in half, place a cooked salmon patty in the center, and serve as a salmon slider!
👩🏻🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Count out 25 Ritz crackers. (Photo #1)
Step 2: Place the crackers in a zipped-top plastic food storage bag. Seal the bag and use a rolling pin to crush the crackers into crumbs. (Photo #2)
Step 3: Continue crushing the crackers until the crackers are the consistency of course, dried bread crumbs. (Photo #3)
Step 4: Drain the liquid off the canned salmon and use a fork to flake the salmon into a medium-sized bowl. (Photo #4)
Step 5: Add all remaining ingredients, including the crushed Ritz crackers into the bowl with the salmon and stir to combine. (Photo #5)
Step 6: Blend to combine all the ingredients. Use a ½ cup measuring cup to scoop out the filling ingredients. Each scoop will be just the right amount to form one patty. (Photo #6)
Step 7: Empty the ½ cup measuring scoop onto your hand. (Photo #7)
Step 8: Use both hands to pat the filling mixture into a round patty, about 4 inches across and one inch thick. (Photo #8)
Step 9: Continue using the ½ cup scoop to make additional salmon patties then place them on a foil-lined plate or baking sheet. (Photo #9)
Step 10: Heat ¼ cup of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Place 3-4 salmon patties in the hot oil. Depending on the size of your skillet, you will be frying the salmon patties in batches. (Photo #10)
Step 11: Fry the patties for about 8 minutes on the first side then flip them over and fry for another 5-6 minutes. If the patties start to brown too quickly, turn the heat down a little. (Photo #11)
Step 12: Use a spatula to carefully remove the cooked patties from the hot oil and place them on paper towels to drain. Cover with foil and keep warm until all the patties are cooked and you are ready to serve. (Photo #12)
💭 Recipe FAQs
Temperature and time are usually the culprits if salmon patties are mushy. Watch the heat in the skillet to be sure the oil doesn't get too hot, we want the patties to sizzle in the hot oil, but not burn. Also, don't rush the patties while they cook. We need to give the salmon patty ingredients time to connect and firm up, usually about 8 minutes on the first side, and about 5-6 minutes after you flip them.
Sure! Cook or bake a salmon filet then flake it and follow the recipe. Keep in mind, the texture will be less soft than using canned salmon and you may need to add additional cracker crumbs and an extra egg to help the patties hold their shape.
Once both sides of the patty are golden brown and crispy around the edges and the patty is slightly firm when you touch the top with the spatula, it's cooked. To double-check doneness if you like, you can use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 145°F, ensuring the patties are fully cooked.
You'll want to find the perfect balance of making patties that are neither too dry or too wet. While blending the ingredients, check to be sure they will hold together when you create a patty. Add either additional crushed crackers - if too wet, or additional lemon juice (or juice from the salmon cans) - if too dry.
🥘 Sides for Salmon Patties
Homemade, Old Fashioned Salmon Patties are the perfect main course for so many side dishes and are delicious with various toppings and sauces.
For a unique combination serve patties with a bowl of fresh Guacamole, or cook pasta and toss it with fresh pesto. Fresh lemon and tartar sauce are also perfect pairings with salmon patties.
Salmon patties are delicious with fresh, crunchy salad greens, top them with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette for a wonderful combination. Spoon some of the dressing on top of each patty.
A big bowl of fresh, Crunchy Cole Slaw is a refreshing side for salmon, or slice cucumbers and onions and make Homemade Refrigerator Pickles, a delicious and tangy side dish.
For an impressive, rich potato side dish, make Blue Cheese and Rosemary Scalloped Potatoes.
Pro Tip: Store leftover salmon patties covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3-4 days. To reheat, use the microwave at half power and check every minute until the patties are warmed through. Or, to keep the patties crispy, place them on a baking sheet, lightly cover them with aluminum foil, and bake at 300°F for 15-20 minutes.
⭐ The Inspiration
This recipe for Old Fashioned Salmon Patties is one my mom made countless times when I was going up.
When I asked her for the recipe she said, "There is no recipe. I just make them from my head." Well, fortunately, she did write it down and send it to me. Thanks, Mom!
Both of my parents have some delicious seafood-inspired recipes to share, be sure to check out Ivar's Copycat Fried Cod and Skillet Glazed Salmon.
🍽 More Easy Dinner Recipes
One of the best things about salmon patties is how quickly they are to prepare and then fry. Here are a few more dinner recipes that are also easy to make and delicious to enjoy!
If you tried Old Fashioned Salmon Patties or any recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below.
Recipe
Debbie says
If you don't have ritz crackers will bread crumbs work
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
I recommend using the crushed crackers.
Gary says
this is the best salmon patties i have ever had. been eating them for more than 60 years
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Wow, that's high praise, thank you so much for coming back and leaving your nice comment, Gary! I'm glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
pam says
I am making these for supper tonight. I didn't have lemons so I used dill pickle juice. Just a suggestion.
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Good idea, Pam. Let me know how that substitution turned out.
Julie says
I love this recipe! Delicious and so easy to make. And, leftovers make a great breakfast bagel or sandwich for lunch. Highly recommended. Thanks Crinkled Cookbook!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Thank you Julie, I love your idea for using salmon patty leftovers for breakfast and lunch!
Cheryl says
So easy and so good!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Thank you cousin Cheryl! I'm so glad you enjoyed these! And thanks for the five star rating too. 🙂
Dawn Abalos says
I just made these Salmon Patties at home. Wow, they're amazing! This recipe's definitely earning a permanent spot in my kitchen!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
I'm glad you enjoy the recipe Dawn and thank you for the five star rating!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
We had these as sandwiches and they were great! I loved the crispy outside and the rich and flavorful inside. I’ll make these again!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Thank you Helen!
Elizabeth says
The perfect weeknight meal! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Glad to hear you enjoyed salmon patties. Thanks for the five star rating!
Jacqueline Debono says
These salmon patties are so so good. I loved the addition of Ritz crackers.
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Thanks Jacqueline!
DK says
These salmon patties are so tasty! Savory and hearty, it definitely highlights the salmon flavor and the consistency was just right!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Agreed, salmon is the star of this recipe. Thanks for the five star rating!