Salmon Cakes (Pan-Fried Panko)

pankocrustedsalmoncakes Salmon cakes are a great way to use leftover cooked salmon, but this dish is so good that you may find yourself cooking up some salmon just to make this recipe. The cooked, flaked fish is combined with minced green onion, fresh parsley, eggs, panko breadcrumbs and a little cayenne for a kick if you like. After the mixture is formed into patties, the cakes are chilled to assure they won't fall apart; then they are pan-fried until nice and crisp. You can dust the patties with a little extra panko before frying if you want an extra crunchy coating.

2 cups salmon, cooked and flaked (~ 12 oz)
2-3 Tbsp. green onion, red onion or shallot, minced
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, minced
½ tsp. fine sea salt
¼ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
⅛ tsp. ground cayenne
2 large eggs
⅓-½ cup panko or freshly toasted breadcrumbs
extra-virgin olive oil, or vegetable oil, for frying

To Serve:
lemon wedges

In a medium bowl, combine the salmon, onion, parsley, salt, pepper and cayenne if using. Mix to combine everything thoroughly.

Move the mixture to one side of the bowl and crack the eggs into the other side. Use a whisk or fork to beat the eggs.

Gently combine the salmon mixture and the beaten eggs. Don't overwork the mixture after you've added the eggs, or the patties can lose their tender texture.

Stir in the panko or toasted breadcrumbs, starting with ⅓ cup. Take 1 Tbsp. of the mixture and try to pat it together into a cake. If the patties don't come together, add another Tbsp. of panko, mixing and testing until the mixture adheres.

Spray your hands with cooking spray or oil them with olive oil or vegetable oil. Form the cakes about 3” across and 1" thick. Place them on a baking sheet, cover and chill for 1-2 hours for the best final results.

Dredge the cakes in extra panko or toasted breadcrumbs, if desired.

Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat and add some olive oil or vegetable oil. Cook the salmon cakes, as many as fit in a single layer, until golden brown on one side, about 4 minutes.

Flip over and cook the patties until golden brown on the other side and cooked through, another 4 minutes. Place the cooked cakes on a platter. If cooking in batches, keep them warm while you cook any remaining cakes.

Serve the panko-crusted salmon cakes with plenty of lemon wedges and enjoy.

Makes 8 cakes.

Cook’s Notes:

Serve these delicate yet flavourful patties for lunch or dinner with lemon wedges for squeezing and a big green salad dressed with a lemon garlic vinaigrette. They make perfect appetizers as well when served with a dipping sauce, tartar sauce, or rémoulade on the side.
For crispier cakes, fill the pan with about ½” of oil for the cakes to fry in. If you'd like to use less oil, just coat the pan.
Make sure you don't crowd the pan when frying the cakes; they should not touch each other. This assures the cakes will get nice and crispy on all sides.
If you find that the salmon mixture just won't hold together, despite chilling them beforehand, you can add a little bit of mayonnaise to help bind them into cakes.
For a less messy way to form the cakes, try using a ¼ cup dry measuring cup. Scoop the mixture with the cup and then pack the mixture in. Invert it onto a plate and the cake should pop out cleanly.
How to Store and Freeze Salmon Cakes: These will keep in the refrigerator in a sealed container or well wrapped for 3 to 4 days. You can eat them cold or even room temperature, or feel free to reheat them gently in a skillet over medium-low heat for several minutes or wrapped in foil and put in a low oven (325°F (165°C/140°C fan, Gas Mark 3) for 10-15 minutes.
Alternately, you can store these cakes either cooked or uncooked in the freezer. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper and freeze until solid. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and transfer to a zip-close freezer bag. The salmon cakes will fry the best if you defrost them slowly in the refrigerator. If they've already been cooked, you just need to reheat them. If you're starting with uncooked frozen cakes, follow the frying instructions as directed in the recipe.