Salmon Croquettes -

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Salmon Croquettes are one of the quintessential Southern Soul Food dishes! Perfectly seasoned and delicious, you'll love these baked or pan-fried!

What are salmon croquettes?

Salmon croquettes, also known as "salmon patties" or "salmon cakes," are a combination of canned salmon mixed with breadcrumbs, egg and seasonings. They can be baked or pan fried...either way, they're a staple pantry food in the South!

Why you'll love this recipe!

Quick and easy - ready in about 10-minutes
Healthy - salmon has Omega-3 in it! Essential fatty acids are good for you!
Affordable - this recipe makes about 5-6 patties and costs under $4

This classic recipe uses the pan-fried method of cooking, however, you can bake them if you prefer. See recipe notes.

What you'll need:

This easy croquette recipe calls for one can of pink salmon, red onion, celery, dill, Old Bay Seasoning, egg and breadcrumbs.

This salmon croquette recipe uses one can of salmon and yields five fish patties that are about ½ cup each. The trick to making nice salmon croquettes that don't fall apart is to refrigerate them prior to cooking.

How to debone canned salmon

First, you'll need to debone the fish...here's how:

Drain any liquid from the canned fish, then place the can upside down on a plate

Gently slide a knife between the filets where you see a bone...

Slide a sharp knife under the spine of the bone and gently remove it; use knife tip to remove remaining bones; scrape away any fish skin and discard

Place salmon in bowl and flake with a fork

Add remaining ingredients and combine; form ⅓ - ¼ cup size balls, then flatten and refrigerate for 10-minutes

How to cook Salmon Croquettes:

I grew up eating pan-fried salmon patties, but if you're trying to eat a little healthier, you can bake them! They still turn out nice and crunchy on the outside!

Pan-Fry

Heat oil (canola, vegetable, corn) on medium-high heat (the oil should be around 300ºF - 325ºF)
Once the oil is hot enough, place the cold patty in a single layer in the skillet. Do not crowd the skillet - you will have to work in batches
Cook the salmon patty for about 3-minutes on each side; drain on paper towel and serve

Bake

Place patties on a parchment lined baking sheet
Bake at 400ºF for 15-25 minutes

Expert tips:

Canned salmon contains tiny bones. Use the tip of a sharp knife to gently slide these out as best you can. Most often, these tiny bones are soft and flexible and go unnoticed in a cooked patty.
Chill the salmon croquettes for about 15-minutes to prevent them from falling apart
Use an oil that is tolerant of high heat, like canola, corn or vegetable oil. Do not use olive oil (it cannot tolerate high heat)
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the oil is around 312ºF
Salmon patties should reach an internal temperature of 145ºF
The first batch of croquettes will be a little bit lighter in color than subsequent batches. This is due to the oil being used more than once. If the darker color patty bothers you, start each new batch with fresh oil.

FAQ's

Should I use fresh or canned salmon?

Southerners typically use canned salmon for croquettes; either pink or red salmon.

What's the difference between pink and red salmon?

Both are cold water fish found in the Pacific Ocean. Red, or "sockeye" has a bit of a stronger flavor and is more expensive than the pink.

Are croquettes gluten-free?

Salmon croquettes require some kind of grain to help the egg bind the ingredients together. Typically, the grain is plain (unseasoned) bread or Panko crumbs.

If you want to make this a gluten-free dish, simply substitute gluten-free bread crumbs or cornmeal for breadcrumbs.

Can I use fresh dill instead of dried dill?

Yes! If you prefer to use fresh dill, you'll need to increase the amount. Dried herbs are stronger than fresh. Generally speaking, 1 tablespoon of dried herbs is equivalent to 3 teaspoons of fresh herbs.

Need a quick and easy Remoulade Sauce? Try this:

½ cup ketchup
½ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon smoky paprika
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon sweet relish (optional)
salt to taste

Combine well and serve with Salmon Croquettes.

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