11 Simple Salmon Cake Recipes for Busy Weeknight Meals

By Carl Hanson
Updated October 13, 2020

When it's 5pm and what's-for-dinner is still anybody's guess, salmon cakes are standing by for the rescue. Easy, inexpensive, and healthy, they're kind of a genius move.

And here's a bonus. Most canned salmon comes from Alaska, which means the fish are wild and high in healthful omega-3 fatty acids. And what's more, Alaska's salmon population is managed for sustainability.

Stash a few cans of salmon in the pantry and make these simple top-rated salmon cake recipes on even your busiest weeknight evenings.

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1 of 12

Scrumptious Salmon Cakes

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Ready in 25 Minutes

A little Old Bay, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon give these cakes a kick in the pants.

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2 of 12

Chef John's Salmon Cakes

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Ready in 55 Minutes (25 for impatient people)

Capers are key here. Ditto saltines. Chef John suggests refrigerating the patties for 30 minutes before cooking. Nice advice for building flavors…if you can wait.

3 of 12

Salmon Cakes III

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Ready in 20 minutes

These super-simple salmon cakes offer perfect simplicity. They're also a great starter recipe. Experiment away.

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4 of 12

Asian Salmon Cakes with Creamy Miso and Sake Sauce

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Ready in 30 Minutes

The secret is the sauce, which stars miso, garlic, sesame oil, sake, cream, and lime juice.

5 of 12

Moroccan Salmon Cakes with Garlic Mayonnaise

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Ready in 45 Minutes

A terrific way to use up leftover couscous. Spinach, garlic, and cumin round out the Moroccan flavor profile.

6 of 12

Salmon Cakes II

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Ready in 40 Minutes

Wait, Cheddar cheese and salmon? This top-rated recipe and its reams of rave reviews say YES.

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7 of 12

Yummy Lemon Salmon Burgers

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Ready in 20 Minutes

Put a salmon cake on a bun...and presto chango! it's a tasty salmon burger. Don't want the bun? Try it on fresh greens with the tasty dressing.

8 of 12

Oregon Salmon Patties

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Ready in 25 Minutes

This unadorned recipe comes from the Oregon coast. They know their salmon in the Pacific Northwest...and it shows.

9 of 12

Baharat Salmon Cakes with Aioli

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Ready in 35 Minutes

"Baharat seasoning gives traditional salmon cakes a delicious Middle Eastern spin," says Betty Soup. "If desired, serve salmon cakes atop fresh greens."

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10 of 12

Keto Air Fryer Salmon Cakes with Sriracha Mayo

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Ready in 40 Minutes

Just tweak a few ingredients and salmon cakes are completely keto friendly. "They make a great dinner or you can serve atop a salad for a delicious lunch," says France C. "The mixture can get a little sticky, so I spray my hands with cooking spray when handling."

11 of 12

Chef John's Salmon Loaf

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"Canned salmon is a great, inexpensive source of proteins and omegas, and you may have stocked up on a few cans but not known what to do with them," says Chef John. "This tasty shelter-in-place salmon loaf is so good for you! While salmon right out of the can may not be the most appealing thing to look at, this salmon loaf is so delicious that we can surely forgive some of its visual shortcomings. Remember, looks are less important than personality (and taste!) and this easy salmon loaf is proof of that. Serve with your favorite tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or hot, white cream sauce."

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Super-Simple Sauces for Salmon Cakes

These sauces will add another exciting dimension to both basic and tricked-out salmon cakes.

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By Carl Hanson