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Easy, Step by Step Potato and Salmon Fish Cakes (Salmon Patties)

Potato and salmon fish cakes (otherwise known as salmon patties) are not only a quick and easy dinner idea that everyone will love, they’re also inexpensive and very nutritious! 

fish cakes made with fresh salmon
Potato and salmon patties made with fresh salmon.

Originally published September 7, 2016.

I know so many people who love salmon, but I’m not one of them.

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I don’t know why I just don’t like the flavor of this fish, however, there are two exceptions: smoked salmon and salmon patties. (My very favorite fish is haddock, as I grew up eating my dad’s fish and chips!)

Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese appetizers
Click the photo for the recipe for this smoked salmon and goat cheese appetizer.

I don’t have a recipe for smoked salmon, but I do for these easy fish cakes! (And I’ve just learned today, thanks to reader, Ray,  that I’d probably make an exception for grilled jerk salmon, too!) These scrumptious fish cakes are perfect any time of year, but especially good to have on hand (or in the freezer) during Lent.

Actually, these potato and salmon patties are so simple, the measurements aren’t even critical in this recipe.

Love seafood? You’ll want to devour this seafood pasta dish!

overhead seafood pasta in pan

Just use leftover mashed potatoes with leftover cooked salmon, tinned salmon, cod, haddock; honestly, any cooked fish will work. When you make them, you’ll see that fish cakes are really so easy to make that a child can put them together. I used tinned salmon in one batch and fresh salmon for another. What fish do you prefer in your fish cakes?

fish cakes made with fresh salmon

                   If you like salmon, try this one pan maple glazed salmon meal!       

maple salmon with bok choy                                       

  How to Serve Salmon Patties.

You can just serve the potato and salmon patties as they are on a plate with a side or two, but they also work marvelously in bread or a bun to form a fish sandwich.

Potato and Salmon Fish Cakes
Potato and salmon patties made with tinned salmon.

If you’re able to find/order smoked haddock (Finnan haddies), then you can make this recipe, too!

Smoked haddock fish cakes

I wrote a fun post and included the recipe for my brother’s “amazing” crab cakes! 😂

my brother and a crab cake on a plate

I hope you enjoy this easy fish cake recipe.

Don’t miss my dad’s recipe for fish and chips! He ran a fish and chip shop in Scotland!

fish and chips in newspaper

I’ve also included directions on how to freeze potato and salmon patties.

fish cakes made with fresh salmon

Potato & Salmon Fish Cakes (Salmon Patties)
Easy Fish Cakes

recipe by Christina Conte                    makes about 10 patties

FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW

Ingredients

Patties:

  • mashed potatoes
  • cooked salmon or tinned salmon
  • egg
  • salt
  • pepper
  • Italian parsley

To coat:

  • egg
  • breadcrumbs
  • salt and pepper

To fry:

  • olive oil

Step by Step Directions

Put the mashed potatoes (fresh or leftover will both work), salmon or fish of choice, egg, salt, pepper and parsley together in a bowl.

making salmon patties

Mix all the ingredients together using a fork to break up the fish.

mixture for potato and fish patties

Then form into a fish cake, or patty.

making Potato Fish Cakes

If your fish cakes are really soft, pop the bowl into the fridge for a bit, but I usually don’t find it necessary. Dip the salmon patties into beaten egg, using a brush to coat them evenly. I love these stainless steel trays. Then coat in breadcrumbs.

handheld Fish Cake

Place the fish cakes on a baking sheet and continue until the remaining mixture is finished. Keep refrigerated if you won’t be frying them immediately.

making Potato and Salmon Fish Cakes

Fry gently over medium heat in a pan until golden brown on both sides, adding oil as needed.

fish patties frying

Place the potato and salmon patties on a paper-towel lined baking sheet to absorb the excess oil. 

Potato Fish Cakes on a plate
Made with tinned salmon.
fish cakes made with fresh salmon
Made with fresh (leftover) salmon.

Serve as desired, but you really only need a salad or vegetable since there’s already potato in the fish cake.

potato and fish pattie on a fork

How to Freeze Potato and Salmon Fish Cakes.

These potato and salmon patties freeze extremely well. Just wrap them in tin foil with layers of parchment or waxed paper in between each patty. You can then defrost in the fridge and heat them up in the oven or an air fryer works great, too.

Fish patties ready to freeze

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Try my cioppino recipe, too!

cioppino overhead

 
salmon potato fish cakes

Easy, Step by Step Potato and Salmon Fish Cakes

Yield: 5 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

A great idea for a weeknight meal. Full of protein and something the whole family will love!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (14 oz) of mashed potatoes (leftover is fine)
  • leftover cooked salmon or tinned salmon (about 12 to 14 oz)
  • 1 egg
  • about 1/2 tsp salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley

To Coat

  • 1 egg, beaten with a tablespoon of water
  • breadcrumbs with a dash of salt and pepper

To Fry

  • olive oil

Instructions

  1. Put the mashed potatoes, salmon, egg, salt, pepper and parsley together in a bowl.
  2. Mix all the ingredients together using a fork to break up the fish, then form into patties (if the mixture is too soft, refrigerate for an hour or so before shaping).
  3. Dip patties into beaten egg, then coat in the breadcrumbs.
  4. Place on a baking sheet, and continue until the remaining mixture is finished.
  5. Fry gently over medium heat until golden brown on both sides, adding oil as needed.
  6. Place on paper-towel lined sheet to absorb the excess oil. Serve as desired.

Notes

  • These potato and salmon patties freeze extremely well. Just wrap them in tin foil with layers of parchment or waxed paper in between each patty. You can then defrost in the fridge, and heat them in the oven, or an air fryer is even better.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 2
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 272Total Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 30g

Did you make this recipe?

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129 Comments

  1. I had leftover jersey royal mash and smoked salmon. I added spring onions as I had no parsley as I don’t like it lol 😆. I used panko bread crumbs, I’m so happy I yielded six . so I’ve a few meals out of it.
    thanks.

    Julia Jessica (from Liverpool UK) xxxx

      1. I will do I’m defrosting one as I text for this evenings meal, I will have Piccolina tomatoes 🍅🍅 with it xxx

  2. hey just letting you know that I’m fixing them tonight for dinner and I’m going to bake them in a muffin pan

    1. I haven’t done so, but I’m sure you can. Spritz with a little oil and try at 375 for 20 minutes and see how that works, Mary. Adjust from there.

    2. Hi Mary, Just made these in the air fryer the other night at 370 for about 18 minutes. Just make sure the egg is cooked through (on the inside).

  3. As advertised, these potato salmon cakes were super easy , quick and very delicious. I didn’t have leftover mashed potatoes so I quickly cubed, boiled and fork-mashed some potatoes for this recipe. I didn’t have parsley so I used some finely diced raw red onion to add some bite. Love the use of egg both inside and outside the patties. A keeper!