Easy Alaska Salmon Patties Recipe

This recipe for Alaska salmon patties is perfect for using up leftover salmon. Flaky and tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, try these salmon patties when you’re looking for a delicious new way to enjoy your favorite fish! 

Salmon might just be our favorite seafood and we have many delicious salmon recipes on the blog. It’s a truly versatile fish, which can be grilled, broiled or roasted. If you’re new to working with salmon, try our easy recipe for baked salmon fillet with lemon and if you feel more adventurous, this teriyaki pineapple salmon will satisfy your cravings. Or, try our Mediterranean baked Dijon salmon recipe, which is getting great reviews from our readers.

I took a classic recipe for salmon patties and gave it a Mediterranean twist. Read on for a recipe made with Alaska salmon, perfect for dinner any day of the week!

This post is sponsored by Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. All opinions are mine.

What are salmon patties?

Salmon patties, also known as salmon cakes, are small fish cakes usually fried in a pan. Salmon patties are a great way to use up leftover salmon and add seafood to your weekly diet. Because of their size and texture, salmon patties are great for kids, too. And, if you have salmon leftovers in your fridge, this one could be just what your’re looking for since you can use leftovers to make it. 

The best thing about salmon patties is that you can use fresh salmon, leftover salmon or canned salmon to make them. As long as your salmon is good quality, any of these methods will work perfectly.

A Mediterranean twist on salmon patties!

I used Alaska salmon to quickly and easily make this recipe – which can be prepared in as little as 20 minutes, so it’s a great option for quick dinners.  Read on to see how I’ve put a Mediterranean twist on this classic dish to make it even more delicious!

Ingredients

You’ll want to have these items on hand before you begin.

• Salmon – fresh, leftover or canned
• Eggs
• Bread crumbs
• Olives
• Spices – sumac, cumin, salt, dried dill
• Dijon mustard
• Shallots
• Onion
• Garlic

You’ll note that I haven’t included potatoes in the above list. Leaving out the potatoes ensures a flaky, light texture.

How to prepare salmon patties

This is an easy recipe that consists of three main steps:

• Bake the salmon

Brush the salmon with olive oil and sprinkle some salt and pepper on it. Bake in the oven at 400ºF for about 20 minutes until each filet is flaky and cooked. The internal temperature should register at 145ºF per the FDA’s regulations on making salmon at home. 

• Make the salmon patty mixture

Mix flaked Alaska salmon with chopped shallots, onion, garlic, bell pepper, olives, eggs, bread crumbs and spices in a large bowl. The mixture should be moist enough so it can hold its shape once made into patties. Depending on the eggs you choose, you might need two or three eggs.

• Pan fry the patties

Pour a little olive oil into a pan and heat over medium heat. Take about two tablespoons of the mixture for each patty and shape it as shown above. Once the pan is hot enough, place the patties in the pan and pan fry each side for about 4 minutes. 

Can you bake salmon patties?

You can easily make baked salmon patties by brushing a little olive oil on both sides of the patties and placing them on a lined baking sheet. Bake the patties in the oven at 375ºF for about 10 minutes and flip them once halfway.

How can I make salmon patties with crackers?

Simply crush crackers until they resemble bread crumbs and then add them to the mixture instead of the bread crumbs. Make sure to use less salt when using crackers as they have some salt already.

Accompanying sauces?

For these Mediterranean salmon patties, I use tzatziki sauce which balances out the flavors and pairs well with the other ingredients. You can also use tartar sauce or even cocktail sauce.

Side dish suggestions

These Mediterranean salmon patties are very tasty and they make a great family dinner. We love serving these fresh Alaska salmon patties with starchy sides such as white rice or brown rice and/or with a side salad like Mediterranean salad.

Looking for more seafood recipes?

• Oven Baked Alaska Salmon with Olives and Capers
• Grilled Salmon Shish Kabobs
• Baked Salmon Fillet with Lemon
• Fish Curry with Alaska Cod

How to store this recipe

You can prepare the salmon patty mixture a day in advance if you like. For salmon patty leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To reheat, place the salmon patties in a lightly oiled frying pan and heat on both sides. 

To freeze salmon patties, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place the baking sheet in the freezer for about one hour until the patties are solid. Place them in a freezer bag and freeze for up to three months. To reheat, thaw the patties in the fridge overnight and heat them in a frying pan with a bit of oil. 

Notes and tips

• You can make salmon patties using canned salmon. Canned Alaska salmon is an affordable, healthy and sustainable choice that would work perfectly for this recipe. If using canned salmon, start from the second step and make the salmon patties mixture.
• You can use regular bread crumbs or panko bread crumbs which are larger. Both would make the patties soft on the inside.
• Don’t use a food processor to make the salmon patties mixture as it will cut the salmon into very small pieces and you won’t have flaky patties in the end. Using a fork to flake the salmon is a better way to make these patties.
• If using canned salmon to make this recipe, you might want to pick out the bones and skins, at least the large ones. 
• You can also make salmon patties with cornmeal by leaving out the bread crumbs and adding 5 tablespoons of cornmeal and one tablespoon of all purpose flour to the salmon patty mixture. These patties are also called southern salmon patties and they should be fried.