Southern Salmon Croquettes Recipe (Salmon Patties)

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This Salmon Croquettes Recipe is a southern classic, made with flakes of salmon shaped into patties and pan-fried until they are beautifully crisp with a golden outside! Season them with sliced green onion, red bell pepper, and garlic.

Growing up in the South, salmon croquettes were a weeknight staple. Mama always fried them in her trusty cast-iron skillet until the outsides were crisp and golden, and they were on the menu almost weekly because they were budget-friendly, simple, and downright satisfying.

If you’ve ever shied away from making croquettes because the name sounds a little fancy, don’t worry. This recipe proves that good Southern food doesn’t have to be complicated. All you need are a few fresh ingredients, a hot skillet, and a little confidence in the kitchen.

Whether you serve these salmon croquettes with my homemade tartar sauce or a fancy remoulade alongside a fresh green salad, they deliver that comforting, down-home flavor every single time.

And if you love simple Southern suppers like this, you’ll also enjoy this Chicken Noodle Casserole — it’s classic comfort food the whole family enjoys.

Ingredient Notes for Easy Salmon Croquette Recipe

Croquettes

• Salmon | You’ll need a can of pink salmon with the bones removed, drained, and flaked. Or use fresh salmon, cooked and flaked.
• Mayonnaise | Low-fat mayonnaise lends a creamy taste to the cakes.
• Lemon juice | Freshly squeezed is best, but the bottled version is fine. Make the citrus taste more apparent by adding some lemon zest, too.

• Dijon mustard | I prefer using whole-grain Dijon mustard.
• Onions and peppers | Boost the flavor with sliced green onions (including the whites and the tops) and finely chopped red bell pepper.
• Seasoning | We keep it simple with garlic, salt, and pepper. Use garlic powder or minced cloves, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Similar recipes use old bay or creole seasoning. So, feel free to try these variations if desired.

• Egg | One lightly beaten egg helps to bind the ingredients together.
• Breadcrumbs | As a patty filler, add in some plain dry breadcrumbs — panko breadcrumbs is my preference.
• Canola oil | For frying the croquettes.

Tartar Sauce

• Mayonnaise and mustard | You’ll need more low-fat mayo and Dijon mustard for the creamy tartar sauce.
• Parsley | Fresh chopped Italian parsley adds fresh flavor.
• Capers | Chopped capers bring salty notes to the sauce.
• Garlic | Minced garlic ties the various flavors together.

Variations and Substitutions

• Like more spice? Kick it up a notch by adding a few red pepper flakes or a dash of Tabasco to the salmon mixture. You can add a sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning, too.
• Mix up the veggies. Really, you can basically use whatever you have on hand — like grated white or red onion for onion powder instead of the scallions —or use green pepper instead of the red bell pepper, or even add diced celery.
• Breadcrumb options. You can also use cracker crumbs from crushed saltine crackers.
• Dipping sauce options. Skip the capers and add fresh dill for dill aioli. Or, use cilantro and a squeeze of lime for cilantro aioli.
• Avocado, sunflower, or peanut oil is also a great option for frying. If you only have vegetable oil, it’ll do just fine, too!

How to Make the Best Southern Salmon Patties

Mix the ingredients, form the patties, and toss them in a hot skillet to fry — that’s all this classic recipe requires!

Storage and Reheating Tips

• To store: After cooking, salmon croquettes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for a couple of days, but they are best enjoyed freshly cooked.
• To reheat: Wrap leftovers in aluminum foil and reheat in a 350 degree oven until warmed through.
• To freeze: Freeze the patties in a freezer bag for up to 3 months before frying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Serve With Southern Salmon Croquettes

Shape the salmon croquettes a bit larger and serve them on buns like salmon burgers with lettuce and your homemade tartar sauce. How’s that for a delicious and healthy meal idea?

On their own or in a burger, salmon croquettes are great for serving with a refreshing green salad, like a Wedge Salad with Crispy Fried Shallots.

But you can also try serving them with these Grilled French Fries and Spicy Ketchup, easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, or a flavor-packed Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad.

Beyond the Recipe

If you were raised in a true Southern home, you’re very familiar with salmon croquettes or patties. While Southerners served this classic dinner a few times a month, families in the West or Northeast had never heard of salmon croquettes. 

When you have no prior knowledge, you may hear the term ‘salmon croquettes’ and think they are some high-class dish. In reality, this is far from the truth.

Salmon patties are absolutely delicious and packed with complex flavors, but they surely aren’t a meal reserved only for the wealthy. 

In fact, salmon croquettes gained popularity during the Great Depression, when the South was affected far more than anywhere else in America. Mothers and wives made simple salmon patties to get through the challenging period.