Quick and Easy Salmon Cakes – a simple pantry recipe that can be whipped up in 20 minutes, perfect for midweek meals. The recipe features 3 different variations – Asian Salmon Cakes, Mediterranean Salmon Cakes and Nordic-style Salmon Cakes!
When I rise up, let me rise up joyful like a bird. When I fall, let me fall without regret like a leaf. ~Wendell Berry~
Simple Salmon Cakes made with pantry ingredients, designed for weeknight meals when time is short. Of course fresh salmon always makes for the best salmon cake, but in a pinch, canned salmon, pulled from the pantry can be a life total savor! Serve it up with a hearty portion of salad or this crunchy Asian Slaw!
On the home front: I made my first batch of fermented hot sauce and the flavor turned out amazing and I can’t wait to share it with you!
Simply mix the ingredients in a bowl, and form the cakes. This recipe makes two cakes. I normally use toasted bread crumbs as the binder, but feel free to experiment with gluten-free flours.
Here below is the Nordic version with dill and capers and a Creamy Dill Sauce.
I’ve also found that the quality of the canned salmon, does make a difference.
Serving the salmon cakes with a hearty portion of slaw is an easy fast way to add healthy nutritious veggies to a meal. Here’s the recipe for the Asian Slaw in the photos.
In the Asian-style Salmon cakes below I’ve added ginger and coated them in sesame seeds for a nice crispy crunch.
Use this the basic Salmon Cake recipe as a base for your own versions! Im excited to see what you create!
Quick and Easy Salmon Cakes
This recipe for Quick and Easy Salmon Cakes is designed for weeknight dinners when time is short. Of course fresh salmon always makes for a better salmon cake, but in a pinch, canned salmon, pulled from the pantry can be a life savor! Here are three variations – Asian Style, Mediterranean style and Nordic Style!
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Main, Fish, Pantry
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Northwest
Ingredients
Basic Salmon Cake Recipe ( see variations below)
- 1 can salmon ( 7–8 ounces), drained (or feel free to use leftover cooked salmon)
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon mayo (this makes for a lighter, fluffier and more bindable texture)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ –⅓ cup toasted bread crumbs like plain panko (ok to use GF) or flour
- 2 scallions, sliced
- generous pinch salt and pepper (about ⅛ teaspoon each – see notes)
optional variations:
Asian style : add 1-2 teaspoons ginger paste ( or finely chopped ginger) and 1/8 cup chopped cilantro
Mediterranean style : add 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Nordic style : add 1 tablespoon capers and 1/8 cup chopped dill
- oil or butter for searing
Quick Creamy Sauce
Instructions
Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl using a fork. Let stand 5-10 minutes.
If mixture seems too wet, add a little more bread crumbs ( up to 1/3 cup total)
Divide mixure into 2 larger cakes pressing together with your hands. If you like a crispy crust, dredge in more panko ( this is optional) or sesame seeds before searing.
Heat oil or butter ( or a mixture is nice) in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the salmon cakes for 4-5 minutes on each side until beautifully golden and slightly puffed.
Serve with the quick creamy sauce or on their own with a side salad.
Notes
Try to use unseasoned panko or bread crumbs. Seasoned panko seems to add an unsavory bitter taste.
Keywords: salmon cakes, salmon cake recipe, easy salmon cakes, canned salmon cake recipe, samon cakes with canned salmon, asian salmon cakes, pantry meals, quick salmon cakes
Can I use fresh, uncooked salmon with this recipe or should I be cooking the salmon first? Thanks!
I think I would try it raw, but just guessing here! Haven’t personally tried!
I loved the recipe and added extra ginger to the Asian variation. 100% could have gone without that dying cat/dead mouse story in the intro though.
Yep, see your point. Deleted!!! 🙂
Loved these thanks! Made the slaw and salmon cakes. Added in sweet potato and broccoli I needed to use up too. Just a question it would be amazing if you could help me with please. I made a few extra but we couldn’t manage them all! Can you freeze them do you know? I used fresh salmon I cooked. If so would you freeze once you’d let the cakes cool after mixing all together and add the sesame seeds and crumbs before seating or do you think you make the entire cake including seeds etc and then sear and freeze? Can’t decide!! Also would you defrost or cook from frozen? Any help would be much appreciate, a bit new to cooking!
★★★★★
I bet either would work, but I would probably sear and freeze. May stay together better? Just guessing here….
Cooked some salmon in the sous vide while I prepped everything else. Delicious!! Second recipe I’ve made from feasting at home, and it did not disappoint! The slaw on the side was a wonderful addition.
★★★★★
Thanks so much- happy you liked it!!!