Canned fish often gets a bad rap, but when used correctly, it can be transformed into something delicious. These keto salmon patties are not only a quick and easy dinner option, ready in just five minutes from prep to plate, but they are also affordable, boast almost zero carbs, and surprisingly, have no fishy taste. This recipe is a revamped part of a series of super simple recipes that rescue you on busy days. This is one of those family-favorite dinners and the easiest and most delicious way to get kids to eat seafood.
Why Salmon Patties are a Keto Staple
Imagine a crispy, delicious crab cake, but made with salmon instead. This keto salmon patty recipe is life-changing! It’s a quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s nutritious and filling. The fresh herbs give the canned salmon tons of flavor and brightness. It’s shocking how delicious canned salmon is, especially considering that it’s affordable and always ready to go in the pantry.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here's what you'll need to create these delectable keto salmon patties:
- Canned Salmon: Be sure to read your can labels. Canned salmon can come with skin and bones in it or skinless and boneless. The skin and bone are more nutritious! The skin and bones dissolve when mixed together, though it definitely doesn't look the most appetizing. Look for "skinless + boneless" canned salmon if you prefer. A higher quality brand that is easy to find and practices sustainable fishing practices is recommended. Do not use flavored canned salmon or salmon packed in oil.
- Bread Crumb Substitute: Instead of regular bread crumbs or panko breadcrumbs, almond flour is the perfect low-carb substitute. Keto bread crumbs can also be used, or you can blend up some toasted keto bread. For a nut-free option, pork rind panko can be used.
- Mayo: Adding in mayo keeps these keto salmon patties super juicy and moist.
- Eggs: The eggs help keep your low-carb salmon patties together. The egg is a super important step! Combined with the almond flour and salmon, the egg helps bind the patties together and keep their shape. If your keto salmon cakes are falling apart, you may have skipped the eggs.
- Avocado Oil: You can also use olive oil or whatever neutral cooking oil you prefer.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, dill, and chives. Change up the flavors with spices or seasonings. Add some curry powder, taco seasoning, or Cajun seasoning. Fresh lemon juice and zest add brightness to the dish. For a spicy kick, consider adding minced jalapeño pepper.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to make these keto salmon patties:
- Make the salmon cakes mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the salmon, almond flour, mayonnaise, eggs, parsley, dill, chives, lemon juice, salt, and garlic powder. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Form the patties: Divide the salmon mixture into 4 to make larger patties, or use a large cookie scoop (3 tablespoons) to make about 12-15 smaller slider-size patties. Use a moderate amount of pressure to press them together.
- Cook and serve: Add a little olive oil or avocado oil to your warm pan. Heat your cast iron skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Use a spatula to gently flip the patties, and continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
- Rest and Cool: Remove from the heat and transfer to a wire rack to rest and cool for 3 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your keto salmon patties warm topped with lemon dill aioli or tartar sauce. Dipping sauces for these low-carb keto salmon cakes is a must! A super popular and delicious lemon garlic aioli tastes so good you can eat it with a spoon! I highly recommend serving these with herby lemon coleslaw. It's kind of the perfect meal. If you make the keto coleslaw and the keto salmon cakes together (which you really should), you'll need exactly 1 batch of homemade keto mayo for the coleslaw dressing to use in the salmon cakes and to make the lemon garlic aioli. For an easy dinner, just add a green salad.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Alternative Cooking Methods
- Air Fryer: Yes! Spray the basket and the tops of the salmon patties with avocado oil. Turn your air fryer to 425F and cook for 13-15 minutes. Keep an eye on your salmon patties and remove them when they are golden brown. It's important to watch them so they don't burn.
- Oven: If using the oven to cook the patties, preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the salmon cake batter and store it in the fridge covered in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Form patties and cook when ready. This dinner is perfect for crazy days. I make the batter, coleslaw, and dipping sauce in the afternoon when the kids are at school/napping. When it’s time for dinner, I form the patties while the pan is heating up, then cook them.
- Store: Store leftover keto salmon patties in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. These are surprisingly delicious served cold and crumbled over a salad.
- Reheat: To reheat, microwave until warm, about 2-3 minutes (I like to sprinkle on a little water to help it steam and prevent it from drying out), or bake in a 350ºF oven until warm, 8-12 minutes.
- Freeze: To freeze, store your cooked and cooled salmon patties in a freezer-safe container or ziptop bag for up to 2 months. Wrap in plastic wrap first to prevent freezer burn. Thaw the frozen patties overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven for best results. I love freezer-friendly meals to have on hand for busy weeknights--this is the perfect recipe for that!
Tips for Success
- Preventing Patties from Falling Apart: Adding flour (like coconut or almond) or keto bread crumbs prevents the patties from falling apart. They soak up excess moisture while keeping the patties juicy (never dry!). Prepare them a few hours ahead of time and let them sit in the fridge before frying.
- Avoiding a Fishy Taste: What I love about this recipe is how it NEVER tastes fishy.
- Cooking Time: Cooking time would change since canned salmon is already cooked. Do not over-fry the patties or else you risk them drying out.
Variations and Substitutions
- Substituting Canned Tuna, Crab, or Chicken: You can definitely use canned tuna, crab, or chicken in place of canned salmon. I’ve tested this recipe using tuna, salmon and cooked chicken, but have not tested this recipe using crab meat.
- Using Fresh Salmon: I've made this using raw salmon that I've pulsed in my food processor. It's just not as good. I actually prefer using canned salmon. I think the canned salmon is juicier from being packed in water. You could, for sure, use leftover cooked salmon to make these. For this recipe amount, you would need 18 ounces worth. Roughly 1.5 cups cooked and finely chopped salmon.
- Dried Herbs: In a pinch, you could use dried herbs.
Nutritional Information
There is just 1 gram of net carbs in each of these homemade salmon patties. There are 5 net carbs in one serving of these low-carb keto salmon cakes. These easy low carb keto salmon patties need just 6 ingredients and have 30 grams of protein! Is salmon good on keto?Yes! High in protein and low in carbs, Salmon is an excellent source of vitamins and Omega-3 fatty acids! It's such a great way to spruce up a salad and quickly make keto salmon cakes like the recipe here.
Kid-Friendly Tips
My kids like the coleslaw and love the salmon patties. In fact, they call them “salmon nuggets”. It’s the easiest way for me to get them to eat salmon. They also love the sauce. Are These Kid Friendly?: Extremely! This is the easiest way I get my kids to eat fish. They call them "fish nuggets", and always ask for seconds. My oldest says this is one of his favorite dinners!
The Secret Sarayo Sauce
One major key to this recipe's success is the INCREDIBLE Sarayo sauce. I used to make my own, and regularly would for recipes like these 5 Minute Spicy Tuna Rolls, but when I got the Sarayo in this month's Keto Krate the game was changed forever. Another star of the recipe is the yummy avocado creama that it's topped with. This adds a delicious and nutritious freshness while upping the fat content of the meal.
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