Salmon Cakes

These salmon cakes are super tender and flavorful. They are beautifully crisp on the outside (without using any flour!) and moist inside. Plus, you don’t have to cook the salmon first. I’ll tell you why I make them with raw salmon in just a minute. Spoiler alert: it makes the best salmon patties! Not only are these easy to make for a quick weeknight meal, but they’re also great for meal-prep. Pack the leftovers with some of the avocado tartare and a handful of salad greens and lunch is made. Or make mini salmon cakes and serve them as an appetizer the next time you have friends over.

Why this is the best salmon cakes recipe

Tender cakes. As you only cook the salmon once (unlike most salmon cake recipes) it doesn’t overcook and dry out. Crispy edges. Because it’s the crispy tender contrast that wins each bite. Made without flour. Because we know of an option that’s better for us AND makes these salmon patties tastier, too. Win! These fish cakes are so delicious that they don’t even need a sauce. But since my family LOVES sauce, I always serve them with some avocado tartar. It’s ridiculously good. This is a gluten-free + Whole30 + paleo salmon cake recipe. But if you don’t mention that, no one will ever guess they’re healthy. It can be our little secret.

How to make salmon cakes

These guys are really easy to make. There are 4 basic steps: chop, mix, form, cook. That’s it! Making salmon patties is really easy.

Tips to prevent your salmon cakes from falling apart

This recipe makes soft, tender fish cakes, which is what you want. If you can flip your fish cakes like they’re hamburger patties without them falling apart then you might as well flip them straight into the garbage. There are two tips you need to make these easier to work with. And remember, if they seem like they’re just barely staying together before you cook them, you know they’re going to be super delicious.

What kind of salmon is best?

For the best salmon cakes, you want the fattiest salmon. King salmon is ridiculously good, but it comes with a steep price tag. Atlantic salmon is also high in healthy fats. When you’re shopping, look for land-raised Atlantic salmon. (It sounds like an oxymoron but raising salmon in tanks helps protect our oceans.) Steelhead trout (ocean-going rainbow trout that tastes a lot like salmon) is a great, low-cost option. We buy it frequently and it’s what you see in these pictures. In a pinch, you could opt for sockeye or coho, but know that they will make your salmon cakes a little dry.

What to serve with your salmon cakes

Making this into a complete meal is super easy. Often I’ll serve them with a big salad (like The Best Kale Salad or my Greek Salad Recipe) and call it dinner. Here are a few other sides that go well with these salmon cakes:

Smoky Roast Potatoes Mini Hasselback Potatoes Sauteed Asparagus with Parmesan Pesto Stuffed Tomatoes Cheesy Irish Cheddar Cauliflower

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