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This image shows a plate of perfectly cooked Southern salmon patties, garnished with fresh herbs, served alongside mac and cheese and other classic Southern sides, ready to be enjoyed.

Southern Salmon Patties Recipe

These Southern salmon patties are a hit with everyone! They’re packed with flavor and have a delightful crunchy cornmeal coating that’s hard to resist. Plus, they’re super easy to whip up and don’t have that strong fishy taste some might worry about. These patties are perfect as an appetizer or even as the main dish. If you’re planning to serve them for dinner, they pair wonderfully with other classic Southern sides like mac and cheese or fried green tomatoes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 160 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Fork
  • Spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 1 14.75-oz Can pink salmon (you can use it with or without bones)
  • 1/4 cup chopped Onion
  • 1/4 cup Yellow cornmeal
  • 1 Large egg
  • 1/4 cup All-purpose flour or almond flour
  • 3 tbsp Mayonnaise
  • 1/4 tsp Chili powder
  • 1/2 tbsp Olive oil or any vegetable oil you prefer
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Salmon: Open the can of salmon and drain it completely. Put the drained salmon in a mixing bowl and use a fork to break it up a bit.
    This image shows drained canned pink salmon in a mixing bowl being broken up with a fork, preparing it as the base for the Southern salmon patties mixture.
  • Mix Ingredients: Add the chopped onion, cornmeal, flour, mayonnaise, chili powder, and egg to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Mix everything together until it’s well combined.
    This image shows chopped onions, cornmeal, flour, egg, mayonnaise, and seasonings being mixed together in a bowl with the salmon to create a flavorful patty mixture.
  • Form the Patties: Shape the mixture into patties. You can make them any size you prefer, but I like to use a measuring cup to make small, burger-sized patties.
    This image shows the salmon mixture being carefully shaped into evenly sized patties, ready to be cooked to golden perfection in a skillet.
  • Cook the Patties: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, place the patties in the skillet. Cook them until they’re golden brown on one side, about 5 minutes, then flip them to brown the other side.
    This image shows the salmon patties frying in a hot skillet with olive oil, turning golden brown and crispy on the outside while cooking through to a tender texture on the inside.
  • Rest and Serve.
    This image shows the finished Southern salmon patties served hot on a plate, accompanied by traditional sides like macaroni and cheese and fried green tomatoes, making a delicious Southern meal.

Notes

  • Before forming the patties, let the salmon mixture chill in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes. This helps the patties hold together better when cooking and makes them easier to shape.
  • For an extra burst of flavor, try adding some fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or chives to the mixture. They complement the salmon nicely and add a fresh, vibrant taste.
  • If you want your patties to have an extra crispy texture, roll them in panko breadcrumbs before frying. The panko will give them a nice, golden crust that's wonderfully crunchy.
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