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You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dish / Seafood / Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes

Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes

Published April 22, 2020. Last updated June 2, 2020 by Lauren Vavala

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Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes are an easy-to-make recipe that is full of so much delicious garlicky, lemony flavor. These patties can be enjoyed as an appetizer or as the main dish.

Close up of Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes on a white plate with a white bowl of aioli with a small spoon in it and a lemon, garlic and blue and white towel in the background over a wood board

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Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes are a spin off of our popular recipe for Lemon Garlic Shrimp Cakes.

They are a delicious, easy way to incorporate more healthy salmon into your diet.

Salmon actually has many health benefits. Not only does it provide protein, but also vitamins, minerals, and those heart-healthy omega-3’s you often hear about.

In fact, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that the average American should eat 8 ounces of seafood per week and recipes like these salmon patties, make it easy and delicious.

Why This Recipe Works

This is a quick and easy recipe to make. You can even make the patties ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.

Salmon Cakes can be served as appetizers or as the main dish. You can even make salmon burgers with these tasty patties.

You can make this recipe low carb and/or gluten free. See the notes section of the recipe card for more information. 

How to Make Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes

What You Need to Make This Recipe

Ingredients needs to make lemon garlic salmon cakes in glass bowls on a white background

To make this recipe you will need fresh or canned salmon, seasoned panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic, shallot, lemon zest, 2 eggs, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Tip: using freshly cooked salmon is best, but you can use canned or pouches of salmon to make it even quicker and easier.

Prep!

If you are using fresh salmon, you will need to season it with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, bake it for 10-15 minutes at 425°F, let it cool, then shred it before beginning this recipe.

If you are using canned salmon, open the cans or pouches, drain any excess liquid and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

Create!

Ingredients for salmon cakes all in a glass bowl with a yellow mixing spoon over a white background

Combine the shredded salmon, breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic, shallot, lemon zest, and eggs in a medium size bowl.

12 Salmon patties laid out on a wood cutting board over a white background

Form 12 salmon cakes by taking a handful of the mixture and squeezing it into a tight ball (this will help it bind together).

Flatten each ball slightly until it’s about a 1/2-inch thick and shape the edges into a circle.

8 salmon cakes cooking in a black skillet over a white background

To cook, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Cook the salmon patties for about 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. You may need to work in batches.

Remove to a plate.

Present!

Overhead of Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes on a round white plate with a smaller white bowl of aioli and a lemon, garlic bulb, blue and white towel and wood board in the background

Serve warm

Tip:  these Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes taste amazing with Roasted Garlic Lemon Aioli. While the roasted garlic adds delicious flavor, you can make this aioli with raw garlic as well.

How to Make This Recipe Low Carb

This recipe is already fairly low in carbohydrates, but you can make it slightly lower in carbs and more suitable for those following a keto diet by making one small adjustment.

Simply swap out the panko bread crumbs for blanched almond flour.

How to Make This Recipe Gluten Free

There are two different ways to make this recipe gluten free.

You can either follow the directions above for making the recipe low carb, or simply swap out the regular panko breadcrumbs for gluten free panko breadcrumbs.

Tips and Techniques

  • Using freshly cooked salmon is best, but you can use canned or pouches of salmon to make this recipe even quicker and easier, if you prefer.
  • Try these Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes with a side of Roasted Garlic Lemon Aioli. The aioli can also be made with raw garlic.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3 days.

FAQ’s

What Do You Serve Salmon Patties With?

Salmon Cakes can be served as is with just about any side dishes you prefer.

Some sides that work exceptionally well are aioli, rice, green vegetables like asparagus and broccoli, or a salad. You can even make salmon burgers with these patties and serve them with a side of vegetables or fries.

Can You Make Salmon Patties Ahead of Time?

You can make the salmon patties ahead of time and store them tightly covered in the refrigerator. They should be prepared within a day or two.

Can You Freeze Salmon Patties?

You can freeze uncooked salmon patties. Simply place them on a baking sheet in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. Use within 1 to 2 months for best results.

To cook, allow the salmon patties to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then cook according to the directions in the recipe.

More Salmon Recipes to Try

Here are a few more recipes to get even more heart-healthy salmon into your diet in the most flavorful of ways.

A teriyaki salmon fillet over white rice with broccoli and sweet potatoes with a baking tray in the background

This Easy Sheet Pan Teriyaki Salmon is incredibly flavorful and surprisingly simple. It’s baked with plenty of vegetables on the same baking sheet for a one pan meal perfect for busy nights.

You might also enjoy this Sweet Chili Salmon that’s made with just a handful of ingredients or these Blackened Salmon Wraps with Avocado Slaw which are great for lunch.

Love this Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

Close up of Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes on a white plate with a white bowl of aioli with a small spoon in it and a lemon, garlic and blue and white towel in the background over a wood board
Print

Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes

Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes are an easy-to-make recipe that is full of so much delicious garlicky, lemony flavor. These patties can be enjoyed as an appetizer or the main dish.
Course Appetizers, Main Dish
Cuisine Seafood
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 12 cakes
Calories 96kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

Lemon Garlic Alaska Salmon Cakes

  • 1 pound salmon fillets * can use canned (see notes)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 shallot * minced
  • 2 cloves garlic * minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil * you may need more if working in batches

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper and place in a baking dish. If there is skin, make sure to place the fillets skin side down.
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the salmon easily flakes apart with a fork.
  • Shred the salmon and place in a large bowl with the breadcrumbs, paprika, shallot, garlic, lemon zest, and eggs. Mix until well combined
  • Form 12 evenly sized salmon cakes by taking a handful of the mixture and squeezing it into a tight ball. Flatten slightly until it's about a 1/2-inch thick and shape the edges into a circle.
  • To cook, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the salmon patties for about 4 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until fully cooked through.

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • Using freshly cooked salmon is best, but you can use canned or pouches of salmon to make this recipe even quicker and easier, if you prefer. There is no need to cook canned salmon - simply mix it with the salt and pepper, then follow the remaining instructions.
  • Try these Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes with a side of Roasted Garlic Lemon Aioli. The aioli can also be made with raw garlic.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3 days.

How to Make This Recipe Low Carb

This recipe is already fairly low in carbohydrates, but you can make it slightly lower in carbs and more suitable for those following a keto diet by making one small adjustment.
Simply swap out the panko bread crumbs for blanched almond flour.

How to Make This Recipe Gluten Free

There are two different ways to make this recipe gluten free.
You can either follow the directions above for making the recipe low carb, or simply swap out the regular panko breadcrumbs for gluten free panko breadcrumbs.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cake | Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 161mg | Potassium: 209mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 137IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe was originally published on January 11, 2018. It was updated with an improved recipe, new images, tips, techniques, and FAQ’s in April 2020.

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Filed Under: Main Dish, Recipes, Seafood

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Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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