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Home › Recipes
28 Comments

Easy Southern Salmon Patties

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Jun 11, 2024

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This post may contain affiliate links.

Making THE BEST Southern Salmon Patties couldn’t be easier with this simple recipe for crispy, golden salmon croquettes.  Whether you prefer southern fried, baked or air fried, you’re going to love serving this tender salmon with loads of flavor and all your best family memories in a classic recipe done up right!

A salmon patty cut in half to show texture and ingredients inside.


Growing up, we would have salmon patties when my dad went out of town on business.  We loved it.  It was one of those little things my mom did to make that time special, something just for us.  Now that I have my own family, we have salmon patties whenever we get the hankering.  It’s just one of those “home foods” you never get tired of.

RELATED RECIPE: Homemade Cornmeal Fish Fry Mix, Best Louisiana Crab Cakes

We all grew up with similar meals.  Whether you called them salmon croquettes, patties or salmon cakes, this easy fish recipe was a staple on almost all of our childhood tables.  And it’s no secret why- nothing compares to the taste of delicious, tender fish- crisp and golden on the outside and full of delicious, savory flavor on the inside.

A stack of 3 salmon patties with crisp exteriors with a lemon wedge as a serving suggestion.

Why We Love This Salmon Recipe

While the old old fashioned salmon cake recipe our moms used was good, there have been a few tweaks over the years that make them even better.  Think more flavor, better crisp and better ingredients! Here are a few reasons this recipe is a 5 Star Reader Favorite!

  • Easy-to-use salmon in a pouch that is skinless and boneless and requires NO cleaning or separating. What a time saver!
  • Perfect easy dinner idea when there is no time to thaw frozen beef, pork or chicken!
  • Incredible flavor & crisp no matter how you cook them.
  • The option to bake, fry or air fry!
Ingredients to make this updated salmon patty recipe including crackers, salmon from a pouch, mayonnaise, lemon and spices.

Ingredients for Southern Salmon Patties

  • 18 oz skinless, boneless pink salmon in a pouch
  • real mayonnaise
  • lemon juice
  • green onion
  • egg
  • saltine crackers
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • All Purpose Creole Seasoning or Old Bay
  • salt & pepper

Finished Easy Southern Salmon Patties on a platter

TIPS to Make THE BEST Southern Salmon Patties

  • I always use the pink salmon you can now find in convenient pouches.  It is skinless, boneless, requires little to no draining and is ready to eat right out of the pouch.  Gone are the days of using canned salmon that needs cleaning like our mothers did.
  • Even though this salmon requires almost no draining, make sure you pat it dry for a better patty.
  • Finely chop any veggies or aromatics you put in your salmon patties.  Large pieces of onion (or other add ins) will keep your patties from holding together when frying.
  • Really think about flavor.  I treat my salmon patties almost like a crab cake.  Serve it with a tartar sauce or a simple remoulade.
  • Speaking of flavor, mayonnaise is our secret weapon in this recipe! It brings lovely flavor and just the right amount of moisture to create the perfect salmon croquette.
  • Variations: Try adding ¼ C finely chopped celery, ⅓ C finely chopped jarred roasted red bell pepper and a teaspoon of dijon mustard to the salmon mixture.  They really amp up the tasty factor!  
Salmon patties with lemon for dinner

How to Make Southern Salmon Croquettes

Mix the Ingredients. While heating about 1 inch of cooking oil in a large skillet, mix together salmon, mayonnaise, lemon, egg, Worcestershire sauce, onion, Creole seasoning, salt & pepper and mix well. Fold in 13-15 crushed saltine crackers. Finely crush rest of crackers on a small plate to dredge patties in.

Form the Patties. Gently form small to medium patties from the salmon mixture with your hands, then carefully place in finely crushed saltines and pat to cover on all sides.

Fry. Place patties in hot oil and fry 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove from oil and drain on baking rack with paper towel underneath. Serve while warm!

A platter of Southern Salmon Patties to serve for dinner

How To Bake Salmon Patties

Follow the instructions for creating your patties, but instead of heating oil in a skillet:

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  Spray a baking sheet with non stick cooking spray and preheat the pan in the oven as the oven heats. (This will make for crisp patties!)
  • When the oven is at the proper temperature, remove the pan.  Add your patties to the hot pan.  Bake for 20 minutes, turning once halfway through.

How to Air Fry Salmon Patties

  • Heat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray basket with cooking oil. Place patties in basket, making sure there is plenty of room for air circulation around each patty. Spray tops of patties with cooking oil.
  • Cook for 6 minutes. Spray tops of patties again. Cook for 2 more minutes and serve!
A salmon patty cut in half to show texture and ingredients inside.

What To Serve With Salmon Patties

My own grown kids get all nostalgic when I serve these golden beauties with Ultimate Mac & Cheese, a Green Salad with Creamy Mayo Vinaigrette or Creamy Coleslaw & a little Louisiana Remoulade Sauce for dipping. 

A classic dinner that never fails to be accompanied with talk of favorite foods, funny memories and lots of second helpings until every bite is gone- that’s the good stuff of life!  

salmon patties inspiration

Other Delicious Fish & Seafood Recipes You’ll Love

  • Spicy Creole Shrimp Foil Packets
  • Million Dollar Shrimp & Crab Dip
  • Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole
  • New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
  • Southern Shrimp Salad Roll with Lemon Dill Mayo

IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, BE SURE TO LET ME KNOW!

RATE IT, LEAVE A COMMENT OR SNAP A PHOTO.

Tag me on Instagram at #southerndiscourse
Easy Southern Salmon Patties stacked and ready to serve

Easy Southern Salmon Patties

Making THE BEST Southern Salmon Patties couldn't be easier with this simple recipe for crispy, golden patties, fried or baked! Enjoy tender salmon, loads of flavor and all your best family memories with this old fashioned recipe done right.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Easy Recipe, fish, southern favorite
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 patties
Calories: 195kcal
Author: Stacey | SouthernDiscourse.com

Ingredients

  • 18 ounces pink salmon
  • ½ cup real mayonnaise
  • juice from ½ medium lemon
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • ½ cup finely chopped green onions, about 5-6 green onions
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon all purpose Creole seasoning, or Old Bay
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • about 30 saltine crackers, divided
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add cooking oil to 12" cast iron skillet, about 1" deep. Heat on stove top over medium heat. Oil will be hot enough for frying when a little water sprinkled over the surface crackles.
  • While oil is heating, mix together salmon, mayonnaise, lemon, egg & Worcestershire sauce. Add onion, Creole seasoning, salt & pepper and mix well.
  • Crush 13-15 saltine crackers and add to salmon mixture. Mix well again. Finely crush rest of crackers on a small plate to dredge patties in.
  • Gently form small to medium patties from the salmon mixture with your hands, then carefully place in finely crushed saltines and pat to cover on all sides.
  • Place patties in hot oil and fry 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove from oil and drain on baking rack with paper towel underneath. Serve while warm.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 14g | Sodium: 419mg | Sugar: 0.3g
Easy Southern Salmon Patties stacked and ready to serve
Did you make my Easy Southern Salmon Patties?Show me how it went! Share on Instagram, tag @southerndiscourse, and use the hashtag #SouthernDiscourse!
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Filed Under: Main Dishes, Recipes Tagged With: easy recipe, fish, southern classics

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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Comments

    5 from 17 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Avatar photoLoraine Esquibel

    September 29, 2021 at 8:33 pm

    5 stars
    I have one word for this recipe, Amazing!!!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      October 4, 2021 at 12:01 pm

      Hi, Loraine! Yay! I totally agree. I could eat these salmon patties all the time! I am so glad you like them.

      Reply
      • Avatar photoD K Pope

        October 23, 2023 at 4:31 pm

        What are Your instructions if I prefer to Bake the Salmon Patties ?

        Reply
        • Stacey PirtleStacey

          October 24, 2023 at 11:47 am

          Hi, Debbie!

          Please see the helpful blog post for the section called “How to Bake Salmon Patties.” Enjoy!

          Reply
  2. Avatar photoMary Howell

    October 6, 2021 at 11:36 am

    5 stars
    This is an excellent recipe! So easy and the patties turned out delicious!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      October 9, 2021 at 9:29 am

      Oh, Mary! You made my day! I am just tickled you loved these salmon patties!

      Reply
  3. Avatar photoLaura W

    October 7, 2021 at 12:18 pm

    5 stars
    Ten stars for easy and delicious. Even my picky eater liked this one!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      October 9, 2021 at 10:02 am

      Wow, wow! You’re the best! Thank you so much, Laura! I love it when picky eaters find something they like.

      Reply
  4. Avatar photoKelly Lawson

    November 21, 2021 at 8:12 pm

    5 stars
    Reminds me of Mama’s… delicious!!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      November 24, 2021 at 1:53 pm

      Hi, Kelly! Oh, that makes my day! Thank you! I am so glad you loved these!

      Reply
  5. Avatar photoKelley

    April 3, 2022 at 9:23 pm

    5 stars
    So so so so good! I did add just a pinch of cornmeal to it. My husband can’t quit talking about them!!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      April 6, 2022 at 9:11 am

      Hi, Kelley!

      I am just so tickled that you loved these salmon patties! They are one of my favorite suppers, and I just get so excited with someone else loves them too! Thank you so much!

      Reply
  6. Avatar photoRuth

    June 10, 2022 at 6:45 pm

    5 stars
    Love them…delish..omitted lemon juice..but next time will get a lemon to see if taste changes!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      June 17, 2022 at 10:53 am

      Hi, Ruth! Just tickled that you enjoyed these salmon patties! (one of my all time favorite recipes) Can’t wait for you to try with lemon! I just know you will love the extra zing!

      Reply
  7. Avatar photoMyron W Bobzien

    January 18, 2023 at 1:24 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe turn out very good. my wife and kids said yuck at first just to say salmon. I hope they like it my wife had a bite of my sandwich and said it’s nothing like she had as a kid.

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      February 2, 2023 at 7:22 pm

      Thanks, Myron! I hope they like them too! I am so glad you enjoyed them. Maybe this recipe will win your family over; salmon patties are such a delicious meal!

      Reply
  8. Avatar photoLauren Huff

    January 31, 2023 at 8:06 pm

    5 stars
    These are so good! Shhhh…I think they might be better than Mom makes.

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      February 1, 2023 at 1:46 pm

      Haha! I promise I won’t tell. I’m in the same boat! I love this recipe!

      Reply
  9. Avatar photoBecky

    June 21, 2023 at 2:12 pm

    5 stars
    Best salmon patties I’ve ever had! Used canned salmon and drained as that’s what I had. Otherwise, I made these as written with Cajun seasoning (again, on hand). Sooooo good!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      June 23, 2023 at 9:42 am

      Hi, Becky! That’s awesome! Thank you so very much! I am so happy you enjoyed these salmon patties. They are one of my favorite meals!

      Reply
  10. Avatar photoCharolette MacMillan

    July 7, 2023 at 9:31 am

    5 stars
    I really enjoyed these. I was trying to recreate my mom’s version from childhood, and yours was so helpful and Yummy! I did fry up some small diced potato and added for nostalgia of my mom. They turned out great! Excited to check out your other recipes. Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      July 10, 2023 at 4:21 pm

      Hi, Charolette! I love it when a recipe helps someone recreate or connect with a memory of their mom or grandmother. It really makes my day! Thank you so much!

      Reply
  11. Avatar photoRocio Knight

    November 20, 2023 at 3:11 pm

    5 stars
    Hello, this recipe has become my go to for salmon patties! No other recipe will do! My mother in law even said they were better than hers! Thank you! ONE REQUEST: may I please have the Nutritional Facts on this recipe? Thanks in advance

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      November 20, 2023 at 10:33 pm

      Hi, Rocio! This makes my day! I love, love that this is the recipe for you now! I have updated the recipe card to reflect some nutritional facts as you asked. I can’t guarantee their accuracy, but they should give you a general idea. Enjoy and keep cooking these salmon patties! ❤️

      Reply
  12. Avatar photoJanet

    March 15, 2024 at 2:26 pm

    5 stars
    Delish! Just like my mommas!

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      March 25, 2024 at 10:37 am

      Hi, Janet! Makes my day! Thank you!

      Reply
  13. Avatar photoMarylena

    April 12, 2025 at 5:17 pm

    5 stars
    Excellent, I love them.

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      April 13, 2025 at 12:28 pm

      Hi, Marylena! This made my day! Thanks!

      Reply

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Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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