Fresh Salmon Patties with Greek Yogurt Sauce

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 15 min.

Makes

4 servings

Updated: Dec. 19, 2023
Whether you start with fresh salmon or use leftover cooked salmon, you can serve these fresh salmon patties with sauce as a main dish, as appetizers, or on top of a green salad. —Cindy Fan, Alhambra, California
Fresh Salmon Patties with Greek Yogurt Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 pounds salmon fillet
  • 1/8 teaspoon plus 1/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
  • 1-1/2 cups panko bread crumbs, divided
  • 1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, optional
  • 2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
  • Cooking spray
  • SAUCE:
  • 1/4 cup reduced-fat plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon snipped fresh dill
  • 3/4 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon capers, drained and chopped

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Place salmon on a greased baking sheet; sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Bake until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, 14-17 minutes. Cool slightly; remove skin, if necessary. Transfer salmon to a shallow dish. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
  2. Preheat oven to 425°. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender. Stir in parsley.
  3. In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup bread crumbs, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper and the onion mixture; if desired, add pepper sauce. Flake salmon; add to bread crumb mixture, mixing lightly. Shape into eight 2-1/2-in. patties.
  4. Place egg whites and remaining 1 cup bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls. Dip salmon patties in egg whites, then roll in crumbs to coat. Place on a greased baking sheet. Spritz tops with cooking spray. Bake until golden brown, 14-17 minutes.
  5. In a small bowl, mix sauce ingredients; serve with salmon cakes.
Fresh Salmon Patties Tips

Can you use other types of salmon to make patties?

You can use various types of salmon to make this salmon recipe, from wild-caught chinook or sockeye salmon to farmed Atlantic salmon. In a pinch, you can also use canned or precooked salmon in a pouch to make patties.

Can you use different types of bread crumbs to make salmon patties?

We like using panko bread crumbs for fresh salmon patties because their coarse texture creates a fantastically crispy exterior as the patties bake. You can substitute different types of bread crumbs, such as seasoned bread crumbs from the grocery store or gluten-free substitutes for bread crumbs to accommodate those with wheat allergies. However, keep in mind that the texture of the finished dish may not be the same as the original recipe when making such substitutions.

How can you keep fresh salmon patties from falling apart?

Fresh salmon patties will not fall apart if they have the appropriate level of binding agents. In this recipe, we use mayonnaise and bread crumbs to hold the mixture together, but some recipes call for eggs instead of mayonnaise. If you’re substituting canned salmon, be sure to drain the cooked salmon of excess moisture before forming the patties.

How long will leftover salmon patties last?

Leftover salmon patties are good for up to 3 days. Store the patties in a single layer in an airtight container. If you need to stack the patties, separate each layer with a piece of parchment or waxed paper. Salmon patties also freeze well when wrapped individually in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer-safe bag.

—Lindsay Mattison, Taste of Home Contributing Writer

Nutrition Facts

2 salmon cakes with 1 tablespoon sauce: 422 calories, 25g fat (4g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 491mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein.