Classic Salmon Patties Recipe with Crackers
Here's an easy lunch , brunch or dinner idea...this Classic Salmon Patties Recipe is full of fresh flavor and served with a creamy dill sauce on the side.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe for salmon patties - sometimes called salmon cakes or croquettes, are quick, fresh and fabulous for a special brunch, lunch or dinner.
This recipe is low-fuss, really delicious & satisfying with a simple creamy lemon dill sauce on the side.
Here's some good reasons to make them:
Freshly chopped salmon from a filet makes these patties super moist and flavorful.
The patties are quickly pan-fried on medium heat which makes them extra decadent. Love that golden brown crust!
This recipe is one of those old southern classics, updated with a few fresh touches.
Instead of tartar sauce we've got a lemony dill sauce with yogurt
Instead of saltine cracker crumbs, we'll use crushed butter crackers (like Ritz Crackers) for extra flavor
This is a great recipe to make in smaller portions as appetizers, or for a delicious dinner or lunch with a side dish or two (see serving ideas below).
For the full recipe, instructions and list of ingredients, please scroll down to the recipe card below.
Fresh Salmon: Buy a whole filet or chopped salmon often sold for burgers at your meat and seafood counter.
Seasonings: Keeping it classic with salt, freshly ground black pepper and garlic powder.
Butter Crackers: Crushed butter crackers taste great in this recipe, and take the place of bread crumbs
Egg: One large one to bind the ingredients together
Shallot: Grated with a hand grater or very finely chopped.
Parsley and Dill: Fresh herbs really make these salmon cakes shine
This recipe comes together easily, and cooks quick! Here's all you do:
Make a simple creamy dill sauce by mixing the called for ingredients together in a bowl. Keep covered and refrigerated until ready to use.
Add the ingredients for the salmon mixture into a medium-sized bowl and everything together gently with (clean) hands.
3. Form the salmon mixture into four patties, or smaller if you want them for appetizers.
4. Pan fry in olive oil in a non-stick large skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through (internal temperature of 145 degrees).
Tip! If making these smaller, adjust the cooking time down a minute.
5. Serve with fresh lemon wedges and creamy dill sauce.
Make these patties into salmon burgers for a delicious dinner option! Toast some soft potato buns, add thin-sliced ripe tomatoes, butter lettuce and dill sauce or thousand island dressing.
Don't over-work the salmon mixture, just mix it until it's combined.
Add a little more crushed butter crackers if needed to hold the patties together, a tablespoon at a time.
Try thinly sliced green onions - white part only - instead of shallots if you'd like
Add a tablespoon of finely chopped green peppers to the mixture too if you'd like (or try fresh chopped red bell peppers).
Don't attempt using canned salmon for this recipe...finely chopped fresh salmon with the skin removed will have the best results.
How do I store leftover cooked patties?
In an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or two.
Can I serve these with something besides the dill sauce?
Try regular or sun dried tomato pesto, thousand island dressing or plain Dijon mustard as alternatives.
Can I make these in advance?
You can prep and store uncooked salmon patties in the refrigerator for up to one day until ready to cook.
Classic Salmon Patties Recipe with Crackers
Moist and full of flavor, these Classic Salmon Patties are perfect with a quick dill sauce.
Course: Dinner
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
▢ 1 pound Fresh Salmon filet, chopped into ¼" inch pieces
▢ ½ cup Butter crackers, crushed
▢ 1 large Egg, lightly beaten
▢ 1 teaspoon Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
▢ ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
▢ ¼ teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper Lemon Pepper if possible
▢ ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
▢ 2 tablespoons Shallot, grated
▢ 1 tablespoon Italian Parsley, chopped
▢ 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
▢ FOR THE DILL SAUCE
▢ ¼ cup Plain yogurt or no-dairy mayonnaise
▢ 1-2 tablespoons Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
▢ 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
▢ 1 tablespoon Fresh Dill, chopped fine
▢ 1 tablespoon Italian Parsley, chopped fine
▢ ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
▢ ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
▢ ½ teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
▢ Fresh Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
Add the chopped salmon to a medium-sized bowl.
Crush the butter crackers by placing them in a large plastic bag and smashing them lightly with a rolling pin until fully crushed and no chunks remain. Alternatively, whiz them up in a food processor or blender. Add the crushed butter crackers to the bowl with the salmon.
Add the beaten egg, lemon juice, kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, shallot and Italian parsley, and mix with your (clean) hands just to combine. Be careful not to over mix. Form into four patties and set aside on a baking sheet.
Note: If the salmon mixture is very wet and doesn't form fairly easily (they should be soft and just hold together) then add another tablespoon or two of crushed butter crackers. Just add a little at a time, too much will make the patties tough.
Heat the olive oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, turning once. (Internal temperature 145) and cooked through.
Serve with fresh lemon wedges and Creamy Dill Sauce.
CREAMY DILL SAUCE
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the yogurt or non-dairy mayo if using, the lemon juice (start with one tablespoon and add more to desired consistency), Dijon mustard, fresh dill, Italian parsley, garlic powder, salt and ground pepper and whisk with a fork to combine. Serve with the salmon patties.
Notes
Add another tablespoon of butter cracker crumbs if needed to hold the patties together.
Fresh salmon cut from a filet is best for this recipe (don’t use canned).