Easy Southern Salmon Patties

These Southern salmon patties are an instant crowd-pleaser. Bursting with flavor, no one can resist the combination of tender salmon surrounded by a crunchy cornmeal coating.

These old-fashioned salmon patties are a classic Southern dish. I know most of y’all growing up here regularly had salmon croquettes or cakes for supper. The classic recipe generally uses crushed Saltine crackers, but today I’m choosing to use another Southern staple – cornmeal. Yep, these cornmeal salmon patties are an old-fashioned recipe, made just how we like ’em. 

They’re quick and easy to make, don’t have a strong fishy taste, and I just know your kids will love ’em too. The first step is to mix the ingredients together. The main ones are, of course, canned salmon and cornmeal. Then we add onions, an egg and flour to bind the patties, mayo to keep them moist, and chili powder for just the right amount of pizazz! Once the ingredients are mixed and the patties are shaped, we simply fry them in a skillet until golden brown. It’s as simple as that!

Appetizer or main meal?

These salmon patties work well as both an appetizer and a main meal. If you want to serve them for supper, they go hand in hand with other classic Southern side dishes, like mac and cheese or our fried green tomatoes. My favorite though is serving them with homemade coleslaw or dipping them in our comeback sauce.

Gluten-free salmon patties

Finally, if this recipe wasn’t already the best, it’s also super easy to transform these into gluten-free salmon patties. Simply use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour, find a gluten-free chili powder, and voila!

I’d recommend watching my quick Youtube tutorial below before you get started so you can acquaint yourself with the recipe! 🙂 

Recipe Ingredients

• Canned pink salmon (with or without bones)
• Onion
• Yellow cornmeal
• Egg
• All-purpose or almond flour (gluten-free option)
• Duke’s mayonnaise (can use any mayonnaise but why wouldn’t you use Duke’s?).
• Chili powder (to make this gluten-free, look for a gluten-free version).
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Helpful Kitchen Tools

• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Cups
• Cast Iron Skillet

How to Make Southern Salmon Patties With Cornmeal

Open a can of salmon and drain completely.

I typically remove any skin or bones.

Place drained, packed salmon in a mixing bowl and loosen it up with a fork.

Go on, dig all around in there!

Add onion, cornmeal, flour, mayonnaise, chili powder, and egg to the mixing bowl. Then add as much salt and pepper as you like.

Stir that up and blend up those bits!

Also, don’t be alarmed y’all, my one large egg had a twin yolk!

Just like this…

Shape the salmon mixture into patties to whatever size tickles your fancy.

I use a measuring cup to shape them into the size of a small burger.

Cook in oil (olive oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, whatever ya fancy) in a cast-iron or regular skillet over medium heat until golden brown on each side.

Turn once after 5 minutes or so while frying to brown both sides.

Serve your fried salmon patties with dippin’ sauce, tartar sauce, or remoulade.

Mmm, mmm!

Storage

• You can refrigerate the salmon patties for up to 7 days and then reheat them on the stovetop or in the oven or air fryer when you’re ready to serve. This will help bring back that crunchy cornmeal coating.
• Once cooked and cooled, you can also store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. Just wrap them individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap (or both to prevent freezer burn).

Recipe Notes

• If you have the time, letting the patties chill in the fridge before frying helps them stay together. It’s best to refrigerate the salmon patties for at least an hour (up to one day) before frying.
• Let me let you in on a secret… mayonnaise is the winning ingredient of this recipe. You wouldn’t think it, but it brings just the right amount of flavor and moisture to this dish. I use Duke’s, cuz, well…it’s the best! But you do you.
• If you want to add more flavor to this recipe, here are some suggestions:
  • Add one red bell pepper (or 1/4 cup of chopped roasted red bell pepper) or 1/4 cup of finely chopped celery.
  • Substitute the onion for green onion.
  • Add a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.
  • Stir in a 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley, basil leaves, or cilantro.
  • Add half a tablespoon of Creole, Cajun, or Old Bay seasoning.

Recipe FAQs

What is a good side dish for salmon patties?

Seeing as this is a Southern classic, I recommend serving salmon patties with other Southern side dishes like…

• Fresh fried corn
• Fried green tomatoes
• Grits
• Cornbread
• Mac and cheese
• Mashed potatoes
• Pinto beans

Another option is to make a salmon burger and serve it with your favorite salad toppings, a healthy serving of tartar sauce, and a side of fries.

Is there a difference between salmon patties, cakes, and croquettes?

No, all of these names represent the same meal and can be used interchangeably. But salmon croquettes are sometimes what we call them in the South.

What can I use instead of breadcrumbs in salmon patties?

Instead of panko breadcrumbs, you can use cornmeal as we are or crushed Saltine crackers.

Why do my salmon patties fall apart?

If you find your salmon patties are too dry when shaping them, try adding some of the salmon juice from the can back into the mixture and try again. This should stop them from falling apart before frying. Another option is to refrigerate the mixture before frying them.

Can you use fresh salmon instead of canned in these salmon patties?

Yes, you can use fresh instead of canned salmon in this salmon patties recipe. However, if you choose fresh salmon for this recipe you will need to cook the fresh salmon and allow it to cool before adding it to the recipe. Bake it in a 350-degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

Is red or pink salmon better for salmon patties?

You can use either pink or red salmon in your Southern fried salmon patties. Canned pink salmon is cheaper, but canned red sockeye salmon is of higher quality in texture and flavor.

Are salmon patties healthy?

These Southern salmon patties are quite healthy on their own, as the salmon is the stand-out ingredient.

Can you bake these Southern salmon patties instead?

Yes, you can bake salmon patties. I recommend setting the oven to 375 if you baked the fresh salmon as described above or if you used canned salmon. For fresh salmon patties, increase the temperature to 475. For canned salmon patties, keep it at 375. Then bake them for about 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Remember ovens do differ so keep an eye on them depending on how crunchy you like them.

You can also follow these instructions for air-frying salmon patties. Just decrease the cooking time i.e. cook for 5 minutes, flip them, then cook for about another 5 minutes.

Your salmon patties growing up…

Let me know if this is how your mama made salmon patties and what you typically serve with them in the comments below. Always love to hear from y’all!

Check out these other delicious patties for your next easy weeknight dinner:

• Chicken Patties
• Uptown Beef Patties With Ketchup Gravy
• Delicious Hamburger Steaks With Fried Onions
• Juicy Ground Pork Burgers
• Meatloaf Burgers