Chef John's Salmon Cakes

Name: Chef John's Salmon Cakes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 (14.75 ounce) can red salmon, skin and bone removed, drained and flaked; 2 eggs; ½ lemon, juiced; 1 tablespoon chopped capers; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper; 12 saltine crackers; 1 tablespoon bread crumbs, or as needed; 1 tablespoon butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil

Rating: 4.55 stars

247 Ratings
194 Reviews
35 Photos

I'm using canned salmon for this delicious recipe. Every grocery store carries it, and canned salmon is almost always wild salmon. I'm not going to go into the wild-versus-farmed salmon debate here, but wild is not only more eco-friendly, it tastes better and is more nutritious. You could use fresh cooked salmon for this recipe if you have leftovers, but since we are mixing this up with eggs and cracker crumbs, fresh salmon just isn't necessary, so why spend the extra cash?

By Chef John

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Recipe Summary

prep:

15 mins

cook:

10 mins

additional:

30 mins

total:

55 mins

Servings:

Yield:

4 servings

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Stir salmon, eggs, lemon juice, capers, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until well-combined.

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Step 2

Crush saltine crackers with your hands into the salmon mixture and mix well. Wrap the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate, 30 minutes to overnight.
Step 3

Dust a plate with half the bread crumbs. Divide salmon mixture into 4 portions and shape into patties; place onto prepared plate and sprinkle remaining bread crumbs atop the salmon patties.
Step 4

Melt butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook patties in hot oil until cooked and heated through, about 5 minutes per side.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

305 calories; protein 30.9g; carbohydrates 14.6g; fat 14.6g; cholesterol 174.2mg; sodium 1019.9mg. Full Nutrition

Reviews (194)

Most helpful positive review

JohnPlaysWithHisFood

01/20/2015

For those who had complaints or were disappointed in this recipe I urge you to always watch the attached videos when available. Invariably Chef John will add hints and instructions that aren't listed in the short printed directions. In this video he points out that this is a VERY basic recipe and he expects us to add things to our taste preferences-Onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce soy sauce, ginger, Teriyaki, etc. This recipe will give you a basis from which to proceed. Remember, his favorite phrase is, "You're in charge of your gravy!". So play with your food and make it your own. Read More

Helpful

(125)

Most helpful critical review

catlady

01/02/2015

Fresh (wild) salmon is the healthier choice. Canned foods are typically ridden with bpa. Bread crumbs are also healthier than saltines. Most Saltines contain hydrogenated soybean oil and high fructose corn syrup. Not to mention loads of refined white salt. Read More

Helpful

(45)

247 Ratings

5 star values: 175
4 star values: 46
3 star values: 17
2 star values: 5
1 star values: 4

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

JohnPlaysWithHisFood

01/20/2015

Helpful

(125)

elaine5

11/06/2015

I love reading all of the reviews. They give hints on how everyone makes them. I like reading positive reviews even when they are not enjoyed. They tell how to improve or or keep exact or even if they did not think it was good. I do not like reading sermons on heath facts. If I want them , I will go to health sites, which I do. Stick to the recipes, pease. Those are worthwhile. Read More

Helpful

(68)

Tami

10/28/2014

This was my favorite salmon cake recipe by far. I did add Old Bay instead of cayenne and some grated onion in the mix, as well as Panko, since I did not have saltine crackers. I thought it might be too runny with two eggs, but I refrigerated the cakes for a couple of hours before I cooked them and they were sublime! A keeper. Read More

Helpful

(66)

catlady

01/02/2015

Helpful

(45)

taffycook

01/02/2015

I love Chef John's recipes, and I'm sure this version of salmon cakes is great. I've been making salmon patties for 30 years, as it's my husband's favorite. I would just say that you don't have to take the bones out of the canned salmon. The bones are soft and just disappear when you mash the salmon. The bones add calcium to the meal making it even more nutritious; I do remove as much of the skin as possible. Thanks for the great recipies! Read More

Helpful

(37)

Baker III

06/19/2014

Just tried this recipe. Husband and I both loved it! I think more on the bread crumbs and the oil and butter. Great and easy, even for the fish challenged. Read More

Helpful

(35)

shilty

09/30/2014

Excellent recipe I only used one egg and added some mayo and onion. I also added old bay. I am from the east coast so everything is better with old bay! Read More

Helpful

(31)

Nina Williams

07/28/2014

Easy and delicious. We used leftover copper river salmon gluten free breadcrumbs from our local GF bakery and alderwood smoked sea salt. Very tasty! Read More

Helpful

(27)

darlasue

09/15/2014

Really liked this recipe. But then all of Chef John's recipes are spot on :) I did add diced onion and celery and used panko in place of saltines. Will make this again for sure. Read More

Helpful

(27)

More Reviews

Back to Chef John's Salmon Cakes

All Reviews for Chef John's Salmon Cakes

- of Reviews

Chef John's Salmon Cakes

Servings Per Recipe: 4
Calories: 305.3

% Daily Value *

protein: 62 %

carbohydrates: 5 %

dietary fiber: 3 %

sugars:

fat: 23 %

saturated fat: 17 %

cholesterol: 58 %

vitamin a iu: 6 %

niacin equivalents: 17 %

vitamin b6: 4 %

vitamin c: 1 %

folate: 10 %

calcium: 3 %

iron: 13 %

magnesium: 3 %

potassium: 2 %

sodium: 41 %

thiamin: 13 %

calories from fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Chef John's Salmon Cakes

1 of 194

All Reviews

JohnPlaysWithHisFood

01/20/2015

Helpful

(125)

elaine5

11/06/2015

Helpful

(68)

Tami

10/28/2014

Helpful

(66)

catlady

01/02/2015

Helpful

(45)

taffycook

01/02/2015

Helpful

(37)

Baker III

06/19/2014

Just tried this recipe. Husband and I both loved it! I think more on the bread crumbs and the oil and butter. Great and easy, even for the fish challenged.

Helpful

(35)

shilty

09/30/2014

Excellent recipe I only used one egg and added some mayo and onion. I also added old bay. I am from the east coast so everything is better with old bay!

Helpful

(31)

Nina Williams

07/28/2014

Easy and delicious. We used leftover copper river salmon gluten free breadcrumbs from our local GF bakery and alderwood smoked sea salt. Very tasty!

Helpful

(27)

darlasue

09/15/2014

Really liked this recipe. But then all of Chef John's recipes are spot on :) I did add diced onion and celery and used panko in place of saltines. Will make this again for sure.

Helpful

(27)