Southern Fried Salmon Patties

Name: Southern Fried Salmon Patties
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 15 ounce can Pink Salmon; 1 egg; 1 Tablespoon mayonnaise; ½ onion (diced); ¼ cup flour; ¼ cup cornmeal; salt and pepper (to taste); crushed red pepper flakes (optional); ½ cup vegetable oil (the amount depends on the size of the skillet.)

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside—these Southern Fried Salmon Patties are comfort food at its best. Made with canned salmon, a few pantry staples, and fried until golden brown, these salmon croquettes are a quick and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights or nostalgic Sunday suppers.

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Whether you grew up eating these or are trying them for the first time, this easy recipe will become a family favorite in no time. For more southern cooking, be sure to try my easy fried green tomatoes recipe and yellow squash with onions.

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💗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
🛒 Ingredients Needed
🔪 How to Make Fried Salmon Patties
💭 Pro Tips
🍽 How To Serve Salmon Croquettes
❔ Recipe FAQs
More Delicious Fish & Seafood Recipes
📋Recipe:
Southern Fried Salmon Patties

💗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Fried Salmon Patties Recipe is always a crowd pleaser and perfect for those busy nights. This recipe is:

Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and minimal prep time. They can be mixed, fried, and be on the table quickly. Add a few easy, fluffy southern biscuits, and you are all set for a fabulous treat.
Budget-Friendly: Uses affordable pantry staples like canned salmon and flour. Salmon Patties are inexpensive, and a can of salmon goes a long way.
Versatile: Serve them as a main dish, appetizer, or sandwich filler.

🛒 Ingredients Needed

Southern salmon cakes are made using basic ingredients easily found in your pantry, fridge, and local grocery store. For a detailed list of ingredients, see the printable recipe card below. This great old-fashioned salmon patty recipe is easy to make and delicious.

Pink Salmon: Canned pink salmon is affordable and convenient; remove bones and skin for the best texture. Choose a good brand for the best flavor. This recipe uses canned salmon, not fresh salmon.
Egg: Helps bind everything together so the patties don’t fall apart.
Mayonnaise: Adds moisture and richness; Duke’s is my favorite!
Onion: Brings sweet, savory flavor to every bite.
Flour: Helps hold the patties together and adds structure. I use all-purpose flour for this recipe, but self-rising flour will also work.
Cornmeal: Adds a satisfying crunch to the outer layer. You can also use crumbled saltine crackers or dried bread crumbs.
Salt and Pepper: Classic seasoning to taste. Feel free to add your favorites, such as Old Bay seasoning, onion powder, or Cajun seasoning.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a little kick if you like. This is optional. Some diced jalapenos would also work well in the mix.

🔪 How to Make Fried Salmon Patties

Here’s how I make them, just like my mom used to—cast iron skillet and all. An old-fashioned salmon patty recipe that has stood the test of time.

Step 1: Drain and prep the salmon. Open your can of salmon and drain the liquid. Place the salmon in a mixing bowl, and gently remove the skin and bones. Don’t worry if a few bones remain—they’re soft and will break down when mixed.

Salmon patty mixture in a bowl with a spoon.

Step 2: Mix up the patties. Add the egg, mayo, diced onion, flour, cornmeal, seasonings, and red pepper flakes. Use a fork or your hands to mix everything until combined.

Salmon patty mixture combined to form salmon patties the size of small burgers sitting on a blue plate.

Step 3: Shape the salmon mixture. Form into small patties—about the size of a burger or slightly smaller. You should get 6–8 patties, depending on size.

Cast iron skillet with cooking oil in the bottom.

Step 4: Heat the oil. Pour about an inch of oil into a large skillet (cast iron is ideal) and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering.

Salmon patties cooking in a cast iron skillet.

Step 5: Fry until golden brown. Carefully place the patties in the hot oil in a single layer. Cook for 4–5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.

Cooked salmon patties on a white plate with some greenery. A pink and white dish towel next to the plate.

Step 6: Drain and serve. Transfer patties to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve warm with your favorite sides or sauces.

💭 Pro Tips

Use a Good Brand of Salmon: Choose a good brand. It makes a difference in taste.
Remove Skin and Bones: I like to place the salmon on a plate, open it down the middle, and remove the bones and skin. The bones are very fragile, so don’t worry if you happen to leave a few. They will crush as you mix the patties.
Let the Oil Heat Properly: If the oil isn’t hot enough, the patties may soak up oil and become greasy.

🍽 How To Serve Salmon Croquettes

This recipe is super versatile and can be served in many ways. Here are a few ways I like to serve this dish:

As a Main Dish: A delicious meal for any day of the week, served with my hush puppy recipe with jalapeno, vinegar coleslaw, and grits with cream cheese.
As a Sandwich: Place between cooked biscuits in a cast iron skillet or buns with lettuce and tomato.
Over a Salad: I enjoy this during the warmer months with a fresh salad.

❔ Recipe FAQs

How should I store leftover salmon patties with canned salmon?

If you find yourself with leftovers, store them:
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Store all leftovers in a freezer bag and place them in the freezer. These will keep for several months. Thaw and then reheat. Note: They are best eaten fresh.
To Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warm and crispy. You can also use the oven or air fryer.

How do you keep salmon cakes from falling apart when frying?

The egg and mayonnaise will act as a binder to keep the patties from falling apart while frying.

How do I keep my southern salmon patties from soaking up too much grease?

Allow your oil to get hot before placing each patty into the skillet. If the oil isn’t hot enough, the patties may soak up oil and become greasy.

Salmon patties on a white plate with some greenery. A pink and white stripped dish towel next to the plate.

More Delicious Fish & Seafood Recipes

If you tried this Southern Fried Salmon Patties recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments. Thanks for visiting!

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