Looking for a classic comfort food recipe? Try this delicious Old Fashioned Salmon Patties recipe that has been passed down for generations. Light, crispy, and perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal!
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Salmon Patties, also known as Salmon Croquettes, are a Southern recipe made using canned salmon, crushed saltine crackers, and a few other simple ingredients. Once formed into small patties, they are fried and ready to serve in only about 15 minutes! Crispy on the outside, but perfectly soft and fluffy on the inside, this salmon patty recipe is a classic nostalgic recipe the entire family will enjoy! Serve alongside some mashed potatoes, cornbread casserole, or potato salad for a complete meal!
Why You’ll Love this Easy Salmon Patties Recipe
- Quick and Simple– using only a few simple ingredients, this fried salmon patty recipe is ready to serve in under 15 minutes.
- Budget Friendly– the ingredients needed are simple, pantry staples in addition to the canned salmon. You can use any brand, which allows you to use whatever brand is on sale.
- A great way to incorporate salmon into your diet– if you’re tired of beef and chicken only throughout the week, now you can add in canned salmon. Rich, savory, and a timeless classic.
- Can be enjoyed as a main course or as an appetizer– make bigger patties if serving as a dinner, or form smaller patties and perhaps a lemon fill dipping sauce and serve as a tasty appetizer option for hosting or gatherings.
Ingredients Needed to make Grandma’s Old Fashioned Salmon Patties Recipe
Below is a brief overview of each ingredient needed to make Grandmas Salmon Patties. To see printable recipe card with exact ingredient amounts, scroll below.
- Salmon– any brand of canned salmon works great. Canned salmon is cooked and ready to use from the can, however, if you have leftover cooked, fresh salmon or choose to bake it fresh for these patties, that works great too. If using canned, make sure it has the words “wild-caught” or “Alaska” on the label so you know its of high quality. I love using pink salmon found at Sam’s or Costco!
- Egg– this brings moisture throughout and acts as the binding agent that holds the patties together.
- Crackers– crushed Saltine crackers are my go to, however, you can also use crushed Ritz crackers.
- Lemon Juice– this adds a tanginess and compliments the flavor of the salmon perfectly.
- Flour– you’ll use this to coat the form patties before frying.
- Salt/ Pepper– season to taste. Feel free to add in additional seasonings if desired.
- Oil– frying oil or vegetable oil is my go to.
Substitutions and Variations
- In place of the crackers, you can also use panko breadcrumbs.
- Add in a diced white onion,red onion, or green onions for more flavor.
- If wanting to add additional flavor through spices, onion powder, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or Paprika are great options.
- Fresh dill can be added into the salmon mixture before forming into patties.
- Worcestershire sauce can be added into the seafood mixture for more flavor. About 1 tbsp.
How to make this Old Fashioned recipe for Salmon Patties
- Drain water from can of salmon and remove bones/skin.
- Place salmon in a medium mixing bowl and combine with the egg, saltine cracker crumbs, and lemon juice with a fork until blended.
- Form mixture into three or four patties, depending on desired size.
- Place oil in large skillet over medium heat. Once oil is heated, dredge salmon patties in flour and place in hot oil in skillet.
- Season with salt pepper to taste. Once patties are golden brown on one side, flip to brown on the other side in pan.
- Once cooked through and lightly browned, remove from skillet to paper towel to drain excess oil and serve immediately! ENJOY!
Tips for Success
- If you notice the salmon mixture a little dry when forming the patties, add 1-2 tablespoon water. You want them to form a patty in your hands and stick together so that it doesn’t fall apart when frying.
- Once both sides are golden brown and have a crispy coating, they are most likely done. The patty will be slightly firm to the touch, however, you can also use a thermometer to ensure the inside has reached 145 degrees. Most canned salmon is fully cooked, so you don’t need to worry whether it is raw still, you are mainly wanting to heat them through.
- If you prefer baking the patties, you can place them on a lined baking sheet at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes. You will want to flip them over halfway and brush the tops with a bit of oil before placing in oven. They won’t get AS crispy, but it is a great alternative to frying.
What to serve with Fried Salmon Patties
Salmon Patties pair perfectly with a variety of Southern favorite side dishes. From classic macaroni and cheese, to potato salad, Ramen coleslaw, loaded cornbread, or buttered corn, you can’t go wrong! You can also serve them with some lemon juice, tartar sauce, or a lemon dill sauce. My family loves enjoying our salmon cake recipe with some mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli on the side.
Storing Homemade Salmon Patties
- Store leftover salmon patties in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, use the microwave in 30 second increments until heated through, or place on a baking sheet in the oven at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes.
- To freeze, you can store in a freezer safe container or bag up to 3 months and thaw when ready to heat and enjoy. You can also freeze them BEFORE frying and take out to thaw when ready. Allow them to thaw in fridge overnight before frying in skillet and serving.
More Comfort Food Recipes to try
- Mom’s Classic Meatloaf- meatloaf is a recipe that everyone should know how to make! Mom’s Classic Meatloaf is just that…. THE BEST! Comfort food at its finest!
- Creamy Chicken and Potato Soup– tender potatoes, bacon, chicken, and vegetables combined in a hearty broth that is perfect comfort food!
- Chicken Fried Chicken– quick-cooking, crowd pleasing, Southern comfort food at its finest! Crispy on the outside and juicy tender on the inside!
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole– this classic dish combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and gooey cheese into one satisfyingly flavorful bite.
- Homestyle Chicken and Biscuits– a satisfying dish that combines creamy chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy biscuits in one. This family-friendly meal is not only packed with flavor but is also quick and easy to prepare, perfect for busy evenings when you don’t have a lot of time!
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Easy Southern Salmon Patties
Craving a classic and comforting meal? Look no further than this old fashioned salmon patties recipe, passed down from generation to generation for its delicious flavor and simplicity.
Servings: 4
Calories: 205kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 can Wild Alaska Salmon de-bone and de-skin, 14.75 oz can
- 1 egg
- 5-8 saltine crackers crushed
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup flour all-purpose
- salt/pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Drain water from can of salmon and remove bones/skin.
- Place salmon in a medium mixing bowl and combine with the egg, saltine cracker crumbs, and lemon juice with a fork until blended.
- Form mixture into three or four patties, depending on desired size.
- Place oil in large skillet over medium heat. Once oil is heated, dredge salmon patties in flour and place in hot oil in skillet.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Once patties are browned on one side, flip to brown on the other side in pan.
- Once cooked through and lightly browned, remove from skillet to paper towel to drain excess oil and serve immediately! ENJOY!
Nutrition
Serving: 1patty | Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 213mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 87IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 2mg
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Julie slominski
I’m going to make this but how in the world do you get all the bones out ?
Kristin
Haha, that IS the tricky part! Some people don’t take the bones out and simply crush them in it for the added health benefits. Me, I take the time to remove them since I am picky. The easiest way is to work in small clumps and use a pair of tweezers or just pick through. Once you get the hang of it, it doesn’t take long. I typically grab small amounts of the salmon, pick through it and remove as much as I can. From there, I use it in the recipe and its delicious! Enjoy!
Patricia Gerrald
You don’t need to take the bones out. Just crush them or leave them for the crunch. They are pressure cooked and will not catch in your throat or stab you, and they add calcium to your diet.
Kristin
Great idea too! It definitely is preference on whether they get removed or not!