Southern Salmon Cakes Recipe

These Southern Salmon Cakes have a crispy exterior and a moist, flaky interior thanks to the combination of bread crumbs, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard. The addition of green onions and lemon juice gives these cakes a bright tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with Worcestershire sauce. Serve them as an appetizer or as part of the main dish alongside some fresh Greek salad.

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Whether you call them salmon patties , salmon croquettes, or salmon cakes -the facts are simple , they are simply delicious. I went with the Salmon cakes name because my recipe has similar ingredients that you would find in a crab cake. These southern salmon cakes can be served with grits and eggs for a southern breakfast or with a meal prep next to a veggie and starch. I love making them with grits and topping them with my Tomato Scallion Cream Sauce …simply delicious!

What are Salmon Cakes?

A southern twist on the classic salmon patty, these cakes are made with flaked, cooked salmon mixed with breadcrumbs and other seasonings. Served as a main dish or as an appetizer, they’re sure to please any palate. These southern salmon cakes can be pan-fried, baked, or even grilled. I even made Air fryer Salmon Cakes with this recipe but I used fresh wild salmon.

Southern Style Salmon Cakes are great because :

Delicious and easy to make.
Can be part of breakfast, lunch, or afternoon snacks.
They can be made ahead of time.

Ingredients list

1 can Salmon (14.75 ounces can), drained and bones removed
1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons red bell pepper, minced
2 tablespoons green onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Louisiana hot sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon old bay
1 teaspoon parsley
1/2 cup vegetable oil

How to make Southern Salmon Cakes

pour salmon into a medium bowl and make sure bones are removed and juice is drained
Add the breadcrumbs, red pepper, green onion, mustard, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, hot sauce, lemon juice, egg, old bay, and parsley
Stir to Combine ingredients and form them into small patties
Heat 1/2 cup oil in a large skillet over medium heat
Sauté for 2-4 minutes on each side or until cooked through
Place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the grease
Serve and enjoy!

Recipes variation and add-ons

Don’t have canned Salmon? Use fresh wild salmon instead. You will have to ground it using a food processor. Hack (cut your salmon into small cubes and put them in the freezer until they are firm then blend them in a blender if you don’t have a food processor.
You can also swap the green onion with yellow onion then add green pepper and a little bit of chopped celery as well.
You may also sauté your veggies before adding them to the patties mixture bowl.
And for a more southern twist, swap out breadcrumbs for crushed Ritz crackers or cornbread crumbs.
Don’t have salmon on hand? These cakes can also be made with canned tuna, just make sure to drain any excess liquid before mixing in with the other ingredients. The possibilities are endless!

Glam kitchen Pro Tips

If you want to use real salmon versus can salmon, feel free to-make sure it’s cooked and not seasoned
I shape my patties into smaller sizes to mimic an actual small crab cake

Got any leftovers?

Put them in an airtight container and they will stay in the fridge for up to 3days. To reheat you can put them into a microwave for 2-3 minutes. If you have an air fryer, it will do a pretty good job as well.

Meal prep guide

Prepare your southern salmon cakes as normal then place them on a baking sheet then put them in the freezer until they are frozen. You will then put them in a zip lock back then back into the freezer for up to 3 months just ready for you anytime.

You can also freeze cooked Salmon croquettes for up to 3 months, they reheat very well in the microwave and are perfect in the air fryer.

FAQ

What sauce is best for salmon cakes?

While Worcestershire is my favorite, the tartar sauce is a classic option as well. For a dipping sauce try mixing equal parts avocado or Greek yogurt with hot sauce for a spicy twist. For something more traditional, mix mayonnaise with chopped dill pickles and lemon juice. Experiment to find your favorite combination!

Are salmon cakes keto?

It depends on the ingredients used in the recipe. To make them keto-friendly, be sure to use low-carb breadcrumbs or substitute with almond flour, and opt for a keto-friendly alternative mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.

As usual, enjoy and let me know how it turned out for you . I’m always just a DM or email away!