Smoked Salmon Cakes

This easy salmon patties recipe is a delicious and versatile option that can be served as an appetizer or as a main dish! Packed with protein and omega-3s, these smoked salmon cakes are a great meal.

close up of a plate of smoked salmon patties, topped with a sauce and fresh chives. The smoked salmon cakes are sitting on leaves of lettuce with lemon wedges.

If you love salmon, these smoked salmon cakes are a must-try! These smoked salmon patties are slightly crispy on the outside, and light and flakey on the inside. 

TELL ME ABOUT THIS SMOKED SALMON CAKES

Level of difficulty: Easy. 

Flavor: Rich smoked salmon is the primary flavor in these homemade salmon patties.

Time: It will take you approximately 20 minutes to make your smoked salmon cakes. This assumes you do two rounds of pan-frying.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

  • Smoked salmon
  • Fresh chives
  • Fresh parsley (curly or flat leaf parsley)
  • Garlic
  • Creole seasoning (this one is my go-to)
  • Large egg
  • Bread crumbs
  • Neutral oil for frying (grapeseed oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil)
  • Dipping sauce + lemon wedges for serving (see “what to serve with salmon patties” section for recommendations)

OVERVIEW: HOW TO MAKE SMOKED SALMON CAKES

  1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together until well blended.
  2. Form the mixture into 4, equal-sized patties.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, pan-fry patties with a neutral oil for ~3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
  4. Serve with dipping sauce of choice and a lemon wedge, and enjoy!
close up of a plate of smoked salmon patties, topped with a sauce and fresh chives. The smoked salmon cakes are sitting on leaves of lettuce with lemon wedges.

See a quick story series on these delicious salmon patties here!

WHEN TO SERVE SMOKED SALMON CAKES

Salmon patties are a great option for brunch, lunch, dinner, or served as an appetizer!

WHAT TO SERVE WITH SALMON PATTIES

Wondering what goes with salmon patties? Well you’re in luck! Smoked salmon cakes are delicious with a wide variety of foods.

Enjoy with a dipping sauce

My favorite way to enjoy smoked salmon cakes is with a dipping sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Some of my favorite sauces for salmon patties include sriracha aioli, Thousand Island dressing, or remoulade sauce. Tartar sauce or plain Greek yogurt are other great options to try.

Pair with a lightly dressed side salad

If you’re enjoying your smoked salmon cakes as a main dish, a lightly dressed side salad is a great choice! Greens tossed with a light vinaigrette is my go-to. Add in some cherry tomatoes, raw onion (if that’s your thing), and croutons for a little fancier yet simple salad.

Serve with your favorite cooked or roasted vegetable

If you’re wanting something other than a salad, try serving with the cooked vegetable of your choice. I personally like blanched fresh green beans or green peas.

close up of a smoked salmon patty with a fork having taken a piece out of it. The piece sits in front of the salmon cake showing how flakey the inside is.

RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

  • Add veggies to your patties. Want to add some veggies into your smoked salmon cakes? Try adding half of a bell pepper that is finely chopped into your salmon cakes mixture. I would recommend using a red, yellow, or orange bell pepper.
  • Swap out the bread crumbs. You could try using panko bread crumbs in lieu of standard bread crumbs. Crushed croutons or saltine crackers are other substitutions you could try if you do not have them on hand.
  • Try a different spice blend. If you don’t have Cajun seasoning (aka Creole seasoning), you can try Old Bay Seasoning in a one-to-one ratio. You could also try another seafood seasoning that you like. 

MODIFICATIONS FOR DIETARY RESTRICTIONS: GLUTEN-FREE

This smoked salmon cakes recipe is dairy free as written, and can be made gluten free easily with one substitution.  

  • To make these into gluten free salmon cakes, substitute the standard bread crumbs with gluten free bread crumbs.

A note for those who are dairy free: be sure to select a sauce or topping (if using) that meets your dietary needs.

Because salmon and eggs are staples to making this recipe, I do not recommend trying to modify this recipe to be vegetarian or vegan. 

close up of a plate of smoked salmon patties, topped with a sauce and fresh chives. The smoked salmon cakes are sitting on leaves of lettuce with lemon wedges.

EXPERT TIPS

If your salmon cakes are browning too quickly, reduce the heat. If your cakes are browning too quickly or are getting too dark, reduce the heat of your stove before cooking the next batch of your salmon patties.

For doubling the recipe, use three eggs instead of two. We’ve found that adding a third egg to the salmon cake mixture when doubling this recipe is helpful! You want to have a moist mixture that sticks together easily because that helps you to form your patties. If your mixture is too dry, your patties will fall apart.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

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close up of a plate of smoked salmon patties, topped with a sauce and fresh chives. The smoked salmon cakes are sitting on leaves of lettuce with lemon wedges.

Smoked Salmon Cakes

Meredith
This easy salmon patties recipe is a delicious and versatile option that can be served as an appetizer or as a main dish! These smoked salmon cakes are slightly crispy on the outside, and light and flakey on the inside.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Appetizer, Mains
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 304 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz smoked salmon, chopped into small pieces
  • 1.5 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • 1.5 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 tablespoon Creole seasoning
  • 1 large egg
  • 6 tablespoon bread crumbs
  • neutral oil for frying
  • dipping sauce of choice + lemon wedges for serving

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together until well blended.
  • Form the mixture into 4, equal-sized patties.
  • In a skillet over medium heat, pan-fry patties with a neutral oil for ~3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
  • Serve with dipping sauce of choice and a lemon wedge, and enjoy!

Notes

If your salmon cakes are browning too quickly, reduce the heat. If your cakes are browning too quickly or are getting too dark, reduce the heat of your stove before cooking the next batch of your salmon patties.
 
If you’re doubling the recipe, use three eggs instead of two. We’ve found that adding a third egg to the salmon cake mixture when doubling this recipe is helpful! You want to have a moist mixture that sticks together easily because that helps you to form your patties. If your mixture is too dry, your patties will fall apart.
 
Nutrition facts were calculated with grapeseed oil for frying and no dipping sauce for topping as personal preference can vary widely.

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 19gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 794mgPotassium: 249mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1089IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links. However, please know that I strive to provide links to products that I actually use and wholeheartedly recommend whenever possible.
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Comments

  1. Ann says

    5 stars
    Made this recipe the extra egg makes all the difference, soft golden brown l used coconut oil gave it a different but great taste.

    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      Hi Ann, I’m so happy to hear the egg tip was helpful and that you enjoyed these smoked salmon cakes! Thank you so much for making my recipe!